Traditionally, Irishmen have been stereotyped rather unfortunately: The Drunk. Everyone likes to poke fun at the inventors of whiskey, until March 17th rolls around. Then everyone wants to be Irish. (Talk about cultural appropriation, but I do digress.) The other, and more enamoring, attribute attached to the Irish is luck.
Today, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day this Sunday, I’ll explain the origin of the holiday, lucky traditions & superstitions of Ireland, and classic Irish cocktails to keep you in the spirit. (Get it?)
The story of St. Patrick’s Day
The understand St. Patrick’s Day, it’s important to understand who St. Patrick is. He is the Bishop, National Apostle & Patron Saint of Ireland – so he’s really a big deal. He’s even credited with bringing Christianity to the primarily Pagan nation. Patrick was born in Britain & kidnapped into slavery in Ireland at 16. It is during his enslavement that he began his journey to becoming a Saint. It’s recorded he spent at least 6 years as a herdsmen before escaping back to Britain. Even after a successful escape, he faced much tribulation (even starvation) before being reunited with him family. He eventually reembarked to Ireland, this time as a free man & missionary offering baptismal & confirmation services to any and everyone.
From here the story gets a bit more embellished, so remember this is the “legend” aspect of his history: “Before the end of the 7th century, Patrick had become a legendary figure, and the legends have continued to grow. One of these would have it that he drove the snakes of Ireland into the sea to their destruction. Patrick himself wrote that he raised people from the dead, and a 12th-century hagiography places this number at 33 men, some of whom are said to have been deceased for many years. He also reportedly prayed for the provision of food for hungry sailors traveling by land through a desolate area, and a herd of swine miraculously appeared. Another legend, probably the most popular, is that of the shamrock, which has him explain the concept of the Holy Trinity, three persons in one God, to an unbeliever by showing him the three-leaved plant with one stalk. Traditionally, Irishmen have worn shamrocks, the national flower of Ireland, in their lapels on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.”
Luck
Drinks
- Guinness
- Bailey’s
- Irish Coffee
- Lucky Leprechaun Drink
- Lucky Leprechaun Shot
- Shamrocked Shooter
- Lucky Charms Shot
- Irish Margarita
- The Jameson Melon
- St. Patrick’s Day Punch
- Irish Mule
- Irish Car Bomb
St. Patrick’s Day 2019 is this coming Sunday. While of course I’ll say to anyone who needs a reminder: drink responsibly. But also realize drinking isn’t synonymous with being Irish & isn’t the point of St. Patrick’s Day. Have fun with like, but don’t feed into any stereotypes as all stereotypes are harmful.
Neat & Messy 