Leprechauns, Shamrocks and Shillelaghs

St. Patrick’s Day is here and millions around the globe, Irish and non-Irish alike, will celebrate the holiday.

I’ll admit I have a love/hate relationship with St. Patrick’s Day.

I love some of the holiday food such as corned beef and cabbage and hate some of the other traditional Irish dishes. Ever tried black pudding? It could gag a maggot.

I love the wearing of the green, but hate the punch in the arm or the pinch if you’re not sporting the color.

I love most of the music, however some like “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen,” make me wish he’d hurry up and get her home before I beat him with a shillelagh.

Here are a few ways to celebrate as well as some interesting facts about the festive holiday.

Put on that green.

You have quite a variety to choose from. T-shirts, ties, hats, socks and even underwear come covered in shamrocks and leprechauns.

Actually the color green only became associated with the big day after it was linked to the Irish independence movement in the 18th century.

You could learn to Irish dance.

You will definitely burn some calories, however I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re even remotely out of shape. I’d be the guy in the middle of the line collapsing halfway into the jig, while sixteen other dancers struggled to hold him up.

Eat some traditional Irish food.

Corned beef and cabbage is at the top of my list. Also potatoes are about as Irish as you can get.

I like Shepherd’s Pie as well, but it would take ten strong men to hold me down and make me eat that black pudding.

I wonder what drunken Irishman first thought it would be good idea to combine pork fat, pork blood, and oatmeal?

Folks from Chicago love the holiday so much they dye the river green.

New York City is crazy about St. Patrick’s Day as well. Since 1762, 250,000 marchers have traipsed up Fifth Avenue on foot in their annual parade.

Hot Springs, Arkansas claims the title for the shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade. Its brief parade runs for 98 feet. That’s a St. Patrick’s Day jaunt.

Of course the world runs up quite a bar tab.

A 2012 estimate pegged the total amount spent on beer for the holiday at $245 million. Can you imagine the restroom line at your local pub?

Summing it up, I do enjoy the holiday.

I’ll wear my green and eat my corned beef and cabbage and sing a verse or two of my favorite Irish tune, “Dear Old Donegal”.

Erin Go Bragh!

Ireland Forever!

See you out there.