Tags
Claddagh Ring, green beer, Guinness, humor, Ireland, Irish, St. Patricks Day
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. āļø 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. āļø Happy St. Patrick’s Day!āļø
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. Iād just graduated with a shiny new diploma in Anglo Irish Lit, and it was time to see what Iād 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 someoneās 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 Iād ever met. Did I know Iād 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…]
How will you be Irish this year?

Guinness is good for you. [Image credit: IrishPubEmporium]
I’m sure Guinness is good for you…. Happy travels!
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SO much more than just a breakfast beverage!
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I loved Ireland, the people and place are some of my favs!
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I have to agree!
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When I came home from Ireland, I made Guinness Stew, Guiness bread, and Guinness cake. I see I have Friday’s dinner planned.
Let me know if you find your self with free time while in Seattle, but with the size of your family, I s’pose that’s unlikely…but I will be in town.
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I’d love to see you. Will message.
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Although I donāt have any Irish ancestry (that I know of), I love Ireland and have completely enjoyed my visits!
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Most people in Ireland have… eclectic… DNA. So for all you know, you may have connections. At least on St. Pat’s Day.
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That’s true. I’m reminded of a French ancestor who wound up in Galway.
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There’s a large and unquenchable strand of DNA in the family and we always celebrate the big day with ordinary Irish fare of boiled ham, cabbage, mashed potato and parsley sauce. We usually top it off with an apple pie, but perhaps I might manage that Guinness cake…
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Love, love Guinness, especially when we drank it in Dublin! the family can’t celebrate today but Sunday we are having a Guinness Irish stew with cheddar dumplings and a Guinness chocolate cake. No green beer here but guaranteed the Chicago River will be dyed green! Hubs is Irish and I am a bit Scot.
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My mother was full German (with a good bit of Jewish in there) and my dad always said his family was Dutch, Irish and the Devil. We did track down the Irish to the Murphy’s for sure but I think he took the Devil with him. I would love to have some of the Guinness cake but doubt I’ll get one made. The senior center is having corned beef and cabbage for lunch. I’ll be there with my green on. Enjoy Seattle. My guess is the weather is the same as in Ireland. Wet!
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Oh, I’m going to listen to the music again with headphones on. Not as pretty coming through cheap computer speakers. Love it though.
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I only have been in Ireland two or three times during our stay in Devon UK. Loved it every time. Would be pushed a bit too hard to drink green beer, or beer in any colour as we don’t drink lukewarm beer at all. That was a major problem during the 8+yrs we spent in beautiful South West England…. but funnily, I’ve just sent several St. Pat’s BIRTHDAY e-cards with sheep dancing!
Miss visiting you regularly but am delighted every time I make it. Lots of love to you crazy friend. K
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We were surprised to see that St.Patrick’s Day was very popular here in Spain. Mind you Spanish folks love to celebrate anything! They go all out with the parade on March 17th. I will be visiting the Emerald Isle for the first time in June. I can’t wait.
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Reblogged this on Judith Barrow and commented:
Nothing to add… just read this from Barb
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I love the video!!
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