A lovely day for a Guinness

North Bay locals, Irish and others who want to be Irish, are out in force to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick.

Patrick was kidnapped from the family estate in England by Irish Raiders at the age of 16, and during his 6-year captivity in Ireland, he had a revelation to convert the Pagans to Christianity.

Over the years Patrick’s crusades have been exaggerated into legendary folklore, perhaps the most famous being the account of his driving out the snakes from Ireland. This story is false of course, as snakes are not native to Ireland.

Although the banishing of the snakes may be a tale, the emblem of the day, the shamrock, is a true representation his teachings.

Patrick used the leaf to explain the Trinity. He used the three-leaf-clover to demonstrate how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost could all exist as separate elements of the same being.

St. Patrick’s Day traditionally a religious holiday that falls during the period of Lent has now become a main stream event observed by everyone and celebrating all that is Irish.

During this evening’s celebration, one thing is for sure on St. Patrick’s Day there will be a Bit O’ Blarney, Guiness, Kilkenny, and most assuredly several rousing renditions of Danny Boy.

Fionn MacCools Irish Pub has the Calhoun Family onstage at 7:30 pm tonight with the Royal Canadian Legion Pipe and Drum bands on at 10 pm, for your entertainment. And the Bull and Quench has Jeff Wiseman on stage at 9 pm.