“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”
~ Irish Blessing
It’s time once again for Irish locals, and those who wish they were Irish, to dust off their Waterford Crystal, don green clothing, sample some Corned Beef and Cabbage, hum a few bars of Danny Boy, and raise a pint of Guinness or shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey to the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick.
History tells the tale of Patrick being 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, with the most famous being the accounting of how he ran all the snakes out of Ireland.
This story of course is false, as snakes are not native to Ireland.
Although the banishing may be a tale, the emblem of the day, the shamrock, is a true representation of 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.
March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day, and while traditionally an Irish religious holiday that falls during the period of Lent, people worldwide celebrate everything Irish.
North Bay is no exception and local establishments have polished their glass wear and are ready for today's festivities.
