more from Paddy's Day

In the parade....




Nothing says "St. Patrick's Day" like sponge Bob!




Pub decorations...




Crowds




The best seats





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Paddy's Day!

It was an amazing St. Patrick's Day! The weather was perfect... not too hot... not too cold... but a perfect 60 something. The sun was out... and there was not a cloud in the sky! Dee and I met up with some friends and went to the parade. The warm dry weather really brought out the crowds, which really added to the excitement. Here are a few quick pics... but I'll be posting more soon!

The modern version of St. Patrick (and his pet snake - I think). It is a rare sight that St. Patrick has to wear sunglasses!





Watching the parade





There were several groups of immigrants that marched in the parade... even a group of Americans that dressed like Obama and carried masks. These are a couple of our friends F and E. You did know that Obama is Irish... didn't you? That isn't a joke.




at the end of the parade...





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While I am sick...

Here are a few more pics from the parade. I have to admit that although the parade is nice... it is not what I really enjoy. I love to see the massive crowds of people celebrating their irishness. I love seeing the smiling faces... the laughter... and the cheer. I did take pictures of the parade... but my favorite pictures are those of the people watching. Here are a few... hope you enjoy.

St. Paddy

We had a great St. Paddy's day yesterday! The weather was wonderful for the first time in 5 years! We met up with another couple that Dee knows from her painting class and we decided to spend the day together. The parade was shorter than usual this year, but the atmosphere was great! It is amazing what a little sunshine will do to lighten up the spirits! Here are a couple of shots from the parade.... As always... more to come soon!

Strangeness...

A strange thing has happened.... Summer has come to Ireland!!! I know that it won't last... but for the last three days we have had some summerish weather! As I sit here, there is not a cloud in the sky... no rain... no wind... and Dee isn't wearing a coat! Miracles do happen!

I have to say that yesterday evening turned out to be one of the most beautiful nights we have had in months. Dee and I had a very busy (and good) day yesterday and decided to get out for a bit of a drive and walk before the sun disappeared for another month. Along the way we met a farmer named Pat (which I'm sure is short for Paddy or Patrick). He and his sheep dog came riding up the road while I was taking some photos. He jumped right off the bike and greeted me with a very firm handshake. We stood and talked about the weather - a conversation I have had a million times here. He asked where I was from. He wasn't familiar with where the state is located so I tried to act out it's location with my hands. In the end he was convinced that I was from Florida. I couldn't correct him. We stood and talked about the differences in our two homelands, and he shared with me how he has seen Ireland change over the past few years. With a twist of the head, a wink, and a smile he told me that he has been speaking Irish ever since he was "a bab in the cradle". He had come out that night to do some work. He had cows in the field that needed to be taken in before the temperatures dropped. He laughed and agreed when I asked if I could take some pictures. Now that I think about it, it must have seemed absurd. Here is this lad from Florida wanting to take pictures of something that is so normal and routine.... I'm sure he didn't know that I love this part of life in Ireland - a part that has not changed for generations. The last thing he told me as he walked away with his cows was that I needed to take the pictures home and show my friends and family in Florida.

The Solstice...

Ok.... so, this is the last pic that I'll post from the solstice... But first an explanation:

Growing up in the southern USA I never knew how much the weather really affected people in other parts of the world. Don't get me wrong. We too had weather in the heart of Dixie... it was just hot and hotter. In Ireland the weather changes drastically with every season. Winter is brutal - windy, wet, and dark. The summer, however, is amazing - sunny, dryer, and long. It is easy to stay inside beside the fire on the short winter days and seasonal depression is rampant here. So when summer comes the people celebrate. This ritual of embracing the sun dates back long before recorded history. Ancient Celts worshiped nature and the sun above all else. It isn't hard to see/understand how the longest day of the year would have such importance and be a day of celebration. These celebrations go on today much like they did thousands of years ago. Each solstice is celebrated with a night of bonfires. All over Ireland people gather at huge fires for a night of dancing, singing, drinking, and revelry. I have to wonder how long this tradition has lasted in Ireland... It isn't hard to imagine (and I am certain that)people long before St. Patrick doing the exact same things. To be honest with you the whole thing disturbs me a bit, and it intrigues me a bit.

According to legend:
St. Patrick came back to Ireland in 432. He came to this land full of druids and often confronted the tribal leaders and druids with his Christian teachings. Often these confrontations were dramatic - such as cutting down a sacred tree in order to show that the tree held no power. One such legend tells of a time when Patrick confronted druids worshiping the sun. They had carved a circle to symbolize the sun on a large standing stone. Patrick denounced the worship of the sun and told all there that His God was the creator of the Sun the Earth, and the Heavens, and that they were not to worship the creation, but rather they were to worship the Creator. He then carved a large cross over the symbol of the sun as a reminder the even the sun is subject to Christ. This was the birth of the Celtic cross. A symbol that has endured through the ages.

Given the history, I thought this picture of a twelfth century Celtic cross on the summer solstice was appropriate:

Who Was St. Patrick?

In honor of his feast day.... A short story of Patrick's life...

Patrick was a normal Welsh teenager in the late fourth/fifth century. He lived in a Christian family and attended church regularly until… He was kidnapped by pirates! Patrick was taken to Ireland and sold as a slave to a prosperous tribal chief and druid named Miliuc who put Patrick to work herding cattle. It was during his years of isolation in the wilderness herding cattle that he fell in love with God and with the Irish. He learned to speak the local Celtic language and came to understand the Irish Celtic people, society, and culture.

Patrick eventually escaped from his captors and began studying for the priesthood by being immersed in the Scriptures. One night at the age of 48, (already past his life expectancy in the 5th century) Patrick had a dream that changed his life. In his dream he could hear the voices of his former captives calling out for him to come back to them.

Patrick believed God was calling him to Ireland, and in 432AD he and his team went to Ireland. It was there that he preached to the kings and common people through parable, story, poetry, song, open-air speaking, visual arts, visual symbols, and, perhaps, drama to engage the Irish’s remarkable imaginations. (He used the three leaves of the clover to explain the trinity. A symbol that has lasted through the centuries.) The people heard the gospel message, saw the faith of Patrick, and turned away from their pagan beliefs. It was not long until the majority of Ireland came to believe in Jesus, and the Celtic church was begun.

Click Here to see a veggie tale video about St. Patrick

On This Day...

You all know that today is St. Patrick's Day... but did you know that it is also a very important day in my family? Today - March 17, 2007 - my parents are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary! Congratulations mom & dad!

Mom & Dad - 1967

A St. Patrick's Day Note from the President...

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar chlann mhór dhomhanda
na nGael, sa bhaile agus ar fud na cruinne, ar ár lá
náisiúnta ceiliúrtha.

A very happy St Patrick's Day to all those taking part
in this year's festivities which link Ireland's
global family and its many friends in a huge
celebration 'of the green' all over the world. It was
Irish emigrants who introduced their vibrant culture to
a multitude of new homelands and we have them to thank
for the tide of affection and enthusiasm which the name
of St Patrick evokes far and wide. Today a prosperous
Ireland is itself attracting immigrants from many
far-off shores and they are adding greatly to our
legendary cultural buoyancy. The Irish love of music,
dance, fun and friendship will be showcased in every
continent thanks to the work of countless committees
whose passion for Ireland and her unique heritage has
seen the St Patrick's Day pageant grow into a truly
global phenomenon. I thank them all for this
outstanding network which connects Ireland to her
children and her friends in such a joyful way. I hope
that their commitment and dedication will be repaid by
the best St Patrick's Day celebrations ever.

Enjoy them wherever you are and may St Patrick bless
each one of you.

MARY McALEESE
PRESIDENT OF IRELAND

Things You Don't See Everyday...

The University of Tennessee's Marching band - complete with flag floppers - marching down the middle of a crowded pedestrian shopping street. I have to say that is a first! Oh... by the way - preparations for St. Paddy's day are well underway!