Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day.
In the 17th century, St. Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day. His traditional date of death is March 17, 461 A.D. I use the word traditional because there are many dates as well as legends associated with the patron saint of Ireland.
He was born in Roman Britain, to Romano-Briton parents of moderate wealth. He was a Christian missionary bringing Christianity to Ireland. Legend states that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
Because of the political and military links between France and Southern Ireland since the 17th century, the Irish made up as much as five per cent of the population of New France. At the time of confederation, they were the second largest ethnic group comprising 24 per cent of Canada's population. In 2006, they made up 15 per cent of Canada's population.
St. Patrick's Day is a legal holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador. In the 17th century, the tiny island of Montserrat in the West Indies became a haven for persecuted Irish Catholics. It is the only country, outside of Ireland, where St. Patrick's Day is a national public holiday.
My mother also viewed St. Pat's Day as a national holiday but in the U.S., it was not and still isn't.
In our house, the day would start with wearing green to school. I felt like a dork! My mother always went to Mass. The day ended with the sacred meal of corned beef and cabbage. To this day, I hate cabbage.
My grandparents came from County Cork. I never met my grandmother as she died young. My grandfather, Michael J. Moran, lived with us for the first seven years of my life. He was a pretty cute guy. He dressed impeccably; always had that pocket watch that I so loved. He had a strong Irish brogue which I loved listening to.
He was the first one who turned me on to the majestic world of books and horses. He told me that the Irish had a connection to horses. I think he was right as I did grow up to train many.
We had a stable across from where we lived. Grandad took me to the horses on a regular basis. I cannot remember a time of being afraid of horses.
The other very strong memory of the man with the funny accent was walks to the library and spending what seemed like hours there. Barbar the Elephant is what sticks out in my mind; and, of course, the Dairy Queen on the walk home.
During the short time Michael Moran was in my life, he made a lasting impression. It made me proud of my Irish heritage.
The first time I heard that Irish intonation in Prince George was from Dr. Michael O'Malley. The way he said the name Kathleen was music to my ears.
St. Pat's Day has become so commercialized. Big cities all over have huge parades. Basically, it is a day to party. Because St. Pat's Day falls during Lent, the Pope has even lifted restrictions on eating and drinking on that day. This will continue to make it a very jovial time for many faithful Catholics.
Growing up in Boston, an interesting fact of bigotry is that around 1845 several cities, such as Boston, posted signs that read: "No Irish Need Apply." That discrimination was rooted in anti-Catholicism and in disgust for their poverty-stricken lifestyle. Today, the Irish have a prominent presence in Boston as best witnessed by the Kennedy family.
I contacted my nieces to ask if their mother, my sister, carried on my mother's tradition. All quickly responded with "Oh yes, we always wore matching green outfits." They cook the meal too, but most of them really are looking forward to the Guinness and a dram of Jamison.
In our home, I won't wear green but Jo will get the corned beef and cabbage and maybe one beer. I still will not eat cabbage.
Tomorrow, everyone is Irish, so join in and party hearty and remember to have a designated driver if you venture outside of your home.
irinn go Brch - Ireland forever.
