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SlƔinte!

When Irish eyes are smiling… It can be damn scary. I’ve been in Chicago when they dyed the river green. I’ve been Irish in Moscow at a giant St. Paddy’s Day street party. I’ve drunk green beer in San Francisco and (disturbingly) green wine in Italy. This year I’ll be in Ireland, if only for a few hours on a layover in Dublin. ā˜˜ļø But after three years of pandemic, I think the beer I’ll have this St. Pat’s day with family in Seattle might be the best of all. Here’s my usual Saint Patrick’s Day post to celebrate all being the same for a day, in a world where we so often fight about our differences. ā˜˜ļø Happy St. Patrick’s Day!ā˜˜ļø

This is the day we’re all Irish.

I remember the first time it happened to me.Ā It was a lifetime ago that I landed in Ireland and stuck out my thumb looking for rides. Iā€™d just graduated with a shiny new diploma in Anglo Irish Lit, and it was time to see what Iā€™d spent all those years studying.

My advisor claimed the best way to see Ireland was to hitchhike. And he was right. I met an amazing, incredible cross-section of people, and was invited into their homes, lives, and pubs.

Almost everyone had a random collection of rocks in their field. Did I know it used to be a castle?

One had the wrong idea. Did I know it was that easy to break someoneā€™s nose?

The Claddagh ring (Irish: fƔinne Chladaigh): the hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.
The design and customs associated with it originated in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh, located just outside the old city walls of Galway, now part of Galway City. The ring, as currently known, was first produced in the 17th century.

And one was the funniest person Iā€™d ever met. Did I know Iā€™d be leaving with a ring on my finger?

Life happened, the ring ended up in the bottom of my jewelry box, and the memories have faded. But there’s something magic about Ireland. And even if the closest you get to Ireland this year is a slice of Guinness Cake and a video, we’re still all Irish.

(My mother’s family are Lanigans, so here’s a sample of what I grew up with…)

And that Guinness cake?

Guinness Chocolate Cake. [Be very careful or I might accidentally give you the recipe and you’ll be absolutely forced to make it. Repeatedly…]

WTH… here you go! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

How will you be Irish this year?

Guinness is good for you. [Image credit: IrishPubEmporium]