“I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun
Brilliance of moon
Splendor of fire
Speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind
Depth of sea
Stability of earth
Firmness of rock.”
~ St. Patrick, “Apostle of Ireland”

Top of the mornin’ to ya! Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

Yep, it is actually spelled “St. Paddy’s Day,” not “St. Patty’s Day,” according to this post on my grammarian friend’s blog. (Oops, did I forget to tell you I’m a grammar nerd?)

I started writing this post with our new little granddaughter beside me! She was sleeping in her mother’s arms as we all snuggled on the couch at my daughter’s home.

Baby girl, who surprised us all by arriving a week early, was given the middle name, “Alaina,” which is Gaelic. According to OhBabyNames.com, she’ll be “cheerful and harmonious.” The site also mentions that in numerology, she’s a Number 2 personality, which supposedly means she’ll also be “calm and patient.” So far, she’s living up to her name. This Grammie and Pap were overjoyed to spend last week with grandchild #4 and her big brother.

Irish on both sides, I love St. Patrick’s Day, but not quite like the neighbor in this funny Holderness Family video. Cousins from the Luddy family (my dad’s from County Limerick) and the Courtney family (my mom’s from County Wexford) have traced our heritage back to Ireland, and beyond that, to central Europe. My parents and some aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings have been to the homeland and were enchanted by it. We haven’t gotten there yet, but it’s on our bucket list.

Today, people all over the world celebrate the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, with the “wearing of the green” and by having a pint. It’s a festive holiday, but there’s more to it than just parades and shamrocks. The country of Ireland played an important cultural and educational role during the Middle Ages, which carries through to the current day.

Did you know that the Irish were instrumental in saving much of the written history of the world? Many people are unaware of this fact. My husband, a former professor, devours books on world history, and a few years ago he read a massive tome called How the Irish Saved Civilization.

It turns out that in addition to St. Patrick introducing Christianity to the Emerald Isle, he also instilled in the people a sense of literacy and learning. During the Dark Ages, monks and scribes in Ireland copied manuscripts of Greek and Latin writers, while most of the libraries in Europe were lost.

“When the seeds of culture were replanted on the European continent, it was from Ireland that they were germinated,” says author Thomas Cahill.

I’ve always been proud to be Irish, but even more so after learning the above. (From my hubby, of course, who gives me the verbal equivalent of Cliff notes of his big books so I can learn along with him.)

Beyond that, in more modern times, the Irish are credited with inventing the hypodermic syringe, stethoscope with two earpieces, submarine, tractor, and color photography. While I appreciate these and many more technological advances from my ancestors’ country of origin, I’m even more grateful for my people’s contributions of Guinness beer, bacon (curing process), flavored potato chips (production process), and milk chocolate!!!

I grew up north of Philadelphia, in an area rich with Italian, Polish, German, and Irish Catholics. We heard all the old stereotypes, but in those days they were affectionately applied. We appreciated the cultural differences and the richness of America’s first melting pot. And the ethic food!

I’m sure you’ve heard about some of the most common traits associated with Irish people. I’ll admit that, in my family at least, some of characterizations mentioned in the article are true.

My dad and his brothers were proud of being “stubborn Irishmen.” In my extended family, drinking was a beloved pastime. As for fighting, my great-grandfather’s boxing skills were legendary in his day. He was known to beat his competition more often than not at the Friday night fights “up the hill” at Prince Gallitzin State Park outside of Altoona. In terms of food, ours was decidedly bland growing up, although with pizza and cheesesteak joints at nearly at every corner, it wasn’t a hardship.

But the positive Irish traits outweighed the negative ones. My parents and their siblings were all very loving, deeply religious, well-educated, wonderful writers and storytellers and jokesters. And, boy, could they sing, especially “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” at our reunions which were, and still are, boisterous, celebratory events.

Although we come from a line of dark-haired Irish people, a touch of red is visible in our hair when the sun hits it. Our new little one has kept to tradition, born with a full head of reddish-brown hair. She’s got Polish, German, and Native American roots as well, but I plan to teach her about her Irish heritage in the hopes that she will treasure it as I do mine.

Today, I extend to you this traditional Irish toast in the hopes of better times just ahead:

“May your troubles be less
Your blessings be more
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door!”

Sláinte (Cheers!)

Affectionately,

Elaine