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What do they all have in common? These top names in the US all have Irish roots.
For example, the trendy name "Aidan" is the Anglicization of the Gaelic word Aodhán, meaning "little fire," while "Kayla" is a modern creation inspired by the Irish man's name Cadhla, meaning "slender."
If you're an expectant parent looking for an Irish name, or if you just want to figure out what your own name means, you've come to the right place.
We've done all the hard work of gathering the top Irish names in America into one place. All you have to do is sit back and choose one, or two ...
Ryan: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Ríain, meaning "descendant of the little king."
Brandon: Anglicization of Breanainn, which possibly means "sword." Also an English surname meaning "hill top."
Logan: From the Irish surname O'Loughan, often mistranslated to mean "duck," which is actually from the Gaelic word "lacha."
Austin: Anglicization of the name Aghaistín, the Irish form of Augustine, a Latin name meaning "great" or "magnificent."
Kevin: Anglicization of the Irish name Caoimhín, meaning "beautiful birth."
Connor: Modern form of the Irish name Conchobhar, meaning "dog lover." Usually spelled Conor in Ireland.
Kyle: Anglicization of the Irish word "coil" meaning "woods." More commonly used in Scotland, where it is from a place name meaning "narrow."
Aidan: Anglicization of Aodhán, meaning "little fire."
Brian: Anglicization of the Irish name Brion, meaning "noble."
Sean: Irish form of John, which means "gift from God."
Owen: Usually a Welsh name. It can be an Anglicization of the Irish names Eoin (form of John) and Eoghan, meaning "born of the yew."
Cody: Anglicization of the Irish surname of Norman origin, Mac Óda, meaning "descendant of Otto."
Patrick: Ireland's patron saint's name, which is Latin for "noble." Padric is the Irish variant.
Brayden: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Bradaoin, meaning "salmon."
Tristan: Celtic name whose meaning has been debated, but possibly means "tumult," or "uproar."
Colin: Can be either an Anglicization of Coilean, an Irish name meaning "whelp," or Cóilín, an Irish short form of Nicholas.
Riley: Riley is an English surname meaning "rye field," or an Anglicization of the Irish surname O'Reilly, or Ó Raghaillaigh, meaning "descendant of Raghaillaigh," an Irish chieftain.
Liam: Shortened form of Uilliam, the Irish form of William, a Germanic name made of two words meaning "desire" and "protection."
Caden: Anglicization of the Irish surname MacAodháin, or possibly a name from the Irish name Cathán, meaning "battle."
Oscar: Anglicization of Osgar, meaning "deer lover."
Brady: A name meaning "spirited," and an Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Bradaigh.
Alan: Anglicization of the Irish name Ailín, meaning "handsome."
Brendan: Anglicization of Breandán/Breannain, a major Irish saint, meaning "prince."
Nolan: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Nualláin from "nuall," which means "nobleman."
Donovan: Celtic name meaning "strong fighter."
Corey: Anglicization of the Irish surname Mac Gothraidh, from a place name meaning "hill hollow."
Brody: Usually Scottish, this name can also be an Anglicization of the Irish surname Mac Bruaideadha, which comes from an Irish place name meaning "ditch."
Miles: Anglicization of "Maol," the beginning of Irish names, meaning "devotee of (insert saint here)."
Griffin: Usually a Welsh name, but it can be an Anglicization of the Irish name Críofán or of the Irish surname Ó Gríobhtha, meaning "descendant of the griffin-like."
Keegan: Anglicization of the Irish surname Mac Aodhgáin, "Aodhagán" meaning "small and passionate," or "fiery."
Brennan: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Braonáin, meaning "descendant of Braonáin." "Braonáin" can mean "sorrow."
Quinn: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Cuinn, meaning "descendant of Conn." "Conn" means "leader" or "chief."
Micheal: Irish form of Michael, meaning "Who is like God."
Declan: Form of the name Deaglán, an Irish saint's name of obscure meaning.
Dorian: Although it is based on the name Dora, which has no Irish roots, the name was coined by Irish playwright Oscar Wilde for his book, "The Portrait of Dorian Gray."
Brianna: Modern feminine form of Brian, an Anglicization of the Irish name Brion, meaning "noble."
Kayla: Even though it's probably a modern creation, it is similar to the Irish male name Cadhla, meaning "slender."
Anna: Typically considered a Latin name, but Ana is also an ancient Celtic goddess known as the "Wealth Provider."
Megan: Though technically not a Celtic name (it's a Welsh pet form of Margaret), it's similar to the Irish surname O'Meegan, meaning "descendant of the brave warrior."
Kaitlyn: American form of the Irish Caitlín (Irish version of Catherine).
Makayla: Another modern creation possibly stemming from the Irish man's name "Cadhla," meaning slender.
Kaylee: This name is a modern invention based on the names Kay and Lee, but it also sounds like "céilí," the Irish word for a gathering.
Kylie: Usually considered an Australian Aboriginal name meaning "boomerang," but like the name Kayla, it's also a form of Kiley, an Anglicization of the Irish name Cadhla, meaning "slender."
Riley: Riley is an English surname meaning "rye field" or an Anglicization of the Irish surname O'Reilly, or Ó Raghaillaigh, meaning from "descendant of Raghaillaigh," an Irish chieftain.
Erin: A poetic name for Ireland. The name is not usually used in Ireland, but it's recently gained in popularity in the North.
Claire: This is a French name meaning "clear," but "Clare," an alternate spelling, is a county in Ireland.
Molly: Irish pet form of Mary, or Mallaidh in Irish, that means "star of the sea."
Kennedy: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Cinnéide, meaning "helmet head."
Kelly: Anglicization of the Irish surname "Ó Ceallaigh," which possibly means "brave warrior."
Cassidy: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Casaide, which has an obscure meaning, but may translate to "clever" or "curly-headed."
Ashlyn: Anglicization of the Irish name Aislinn (or Aisling), meaning "dream" or "vision."
Kiara: Form of Ciara, pronounced "KEE a ra," an Irish name meaning "dark." Often pronounced "see-Ahr-a" in the U.S.
Reagan: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Ríagáin, which comes from "sovereign" or "king."
Delaney: Anglicization of the Irish surname "Ó Dubhshláine, meaning "descendant of the dark-haired man of the River Slaney."
Alana: Feminine form of the name Alan, which means "handsome." Also an Anglicization of "a leanbh," an Irish term of endearment meaning "O child."
Mckenna: Anglicization of the Irish surname MacCionnaith, interpreted as both "ardent love" and "firesprung."
Brenda: Feminine form of the Irish name Brendan, an Anglicization of the Irish saint Breandán/Breannain whose name means "prince."
Shannon: Area and river in Ireland that possibly means "little wise one."
Kara: Form of Cara, the Irish word for "friend."
Kira: Another Anglicization of Ciara, an Irish name meaning "dark."
Kathleen: Another Anglicization of the Irish Caitlín, a form of Catherine.
Bridget: From the Irish name Brighid, meaning "exalted one." St. Brigid is a patron saint of Ireland.
Patricia: This is the feminine form of Patrick, Ireland's patron saint's name, which is Latin for "noble."
Shayla: Modern Anglicization of the Irish name Síle, meaning "blind." Also Anglicized as "Sheila."
Tara: Anglicization of the old Irish name Teamhair, which means "eminence" or "distinction." Also the name of the ancient hill in Co. Meath that was the center of pagan activity.
Brenna: Modern feminine form of the name Brennan, an Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Braonáin, that can mean "sorrow."
Logan: From the Irish surname O'Loughan, often mistranslated to mean "duck," which is actually from the Gaelic word "lacha."
Fiona: An Irish name (spelled Fíona) pronounced as "Feena," meaning "vine."
Ryan: Feminine Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Ríain, meaning "descendant of the little king."
Aileen: Anglicization of the Irish name Aibhilín/Eibhilín, an Irish form of Evelyn or Helen which can mean "bright light."
* Originally published in 2013.]]>
The meeting was led by John Tully, the chairman of the board's Parade and Celebration Committee which claims that the parade's affiliates have been muscled out of the organizing of the annual march in favor of an undemocratically elected board of directors led by Dr. John Lahey, president of Quinnipiac University.
Many of the attendees at the meeting expressed anger at the board leadership for allegedly "taking away" the parade, and are deciding on a course forward. Some of the proposals floated included a withholding of parade affiliation funds that each group must pay to take part in the event, and an effort to secure the parade's permit from the NYPD.
"This was a very angry meeting. A lot of anger directed at John Lahey, and a lot of it was totally off base," one person in attendance told the Irish Voice.
John Dunleavy, the former chairman of the Parade and Celebration Committee who remains a member of the board of directors, spoke at the meeting and urged the attendees to "take back" a parade that rightfully "belongs to them."
Dunleavy, whose role in the parade leadership was downgraded last year because of his opposition to gay groups marching and widespread financial improprieties uncovered by the parade's auditors, filed a civil suit against Lahey last October in Bronx Supreme Court alleging that the board of directors held an illegal meeting in June of 2015 that resulted in his diminished status.
Oral arguments in that suit took place in May of this year, but the judge hearing the case, Alexander W. Hunter, has since retired and a new judge appointed, former Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson.
Though Hunter said he would rule within 30 days, the court has not yet handed down a decision. Attorneys for both sides met in Johnson's chambers a few weeks ago but were unable to come up with a resolution.
"The offer is out there for the affiliates to appoint four ex-officio board members from the AOH, LAOH, the Emeralds and the United Irish Counties. The affiliates have not responded to that offer," parade spokesperson Pat Smith told the Irish Voice.
One of the handouts at last week's meeting was an email exchange between Tully and Lahey in which Lahey pointed out that the "board of directors is the sole legal entity responsible for conducting the annual NYC St. Patrick's Day parade. All of its committees report to and take direction from the board, not vice versa."
Tully's response to Lahey's August 31 email agreed that the board is the legal entity in charge of the parade, but he added that the bylaws state that that the Parade and Celebration Committee is tasked with organizing the parade, and that the board overlooked the committee's "historical" role to create two new positions, "filled those positions with two individuals and charged them to conduct the 2016 parade … We believe these actions violated the corporations' bylaws. You disagree with this view. The pending lawsuit will determine whose view is correct. We should both do all we can to seek a speedy resolution of the lawsuit."
The petition, which is on Change.org, says that "since justice delayed is justice denied, if Dr. Lahey and his loyalist[s] are allowed to flagrantly disregard the bylaws and the rule of law, then this not only threatens the continuation of a 254-year-old tradition of the parade, but also sets a dangerous precedent whereby any board for a not-for-profit corporation can betray the trust of the community they serve for their own personal ends."
The affiliates have planned another meeting for next month.]]>
The truth? There is no such thing as leprechauns in Ireland.
Apologies to any would-be believers in magical crocks of gold. The whole leprechaun thing was more of a Disney invention that came along with the likes of bad 'oirish' accents in films such as 'Darby O'Gill and the Little People.'
But fairies...they do exist. Oh yes, and here in Ireland we do not mess with the fairies, ever!
They are known to live in very special places called fairy rings, which are raised earthen circular mounds that you will see all over Ireland.
You are welcome to visit them, walk around them, make a wish by all means. But it is thought to be very bad luck to interfere with these mounds. Driving motorways through them - bad, very bad. Certain trees are revered, too, especially hawthorns, which country people will never chop down or remove for fear of disturbing the fairies who often live underneath and who are likely to wreak havoc if disturbed i.e., sour milk, cause crops to fail, animals to sicken and die.
So don't say ye haven't been warned!
No one knows more about fairies in Ireland than Eddie Lenihan, a gifted storyteller or Seanchaí who lives in Clare, and who has collected his stories from all over Ireland. This is one of his best:
If you ever get a chance to listen to one of his sessions, don't miss it. You will be in for a treat. Or indeed if you are hauled up on a high stool in a pub somewhere, someday, it won't be long before a good storytelling session will start.
Author Susan Byron of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com.
* Originally published in 2013.
The parade's board of directors met on Thursday evening in New York and voted to elect Dowling, a native of Knocaderry, Co. Limerick who has been with Northwell, formerly known as North Shore-LIJ, since 1995.
"As a native son of a small country village in western Limerick, I am greatly privileged and humbled by this extraordinary honor and recognition," Dowling said. "I am proud to follow in the footsteps of so many remarkable luminaries as we again celebrate the very best of Irish and Irish American history, culture and heritage."
John Lahey, chairman of the parade's board, praised the selection of Dowling. "Michael Dowling is the true embodiment of the values we celebrate on St. Patrick's Day, a leader in a noble healing profession, an educator, a public servant, an Irish American who has made enormous contributions to his adopted country and who has made us all proud to be Irish," Lahey said.
Prior to joining Northwell, Dowling was senior vice president at Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield. He also spent 12 years working for New York State, including seven as director of Health, Education and Human Services, and deputy secretary to the late Governor Mario Cuomo.
Dowling's career also includes time in academia. He was a professor of social policy and assistant dean at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services, and director of the Fordham campus in Westchester County.
Read more St. Patrick's Day new here
A press release from the St. Patrick's Day parade praised Dowling's tenure at Northwell. "Since becoming president & CEO in 2002, Mr. Dowling has built Northwell Health into a regional clinical, academic and research enterprise that now has a presence throughout the metropolitan area. Northwell is the largest integrated healthcare system in New York State with a total workforce of more than 61,000 employees -- the state's largest private employer."
Dowling spoke to Irish America magazine in 2013 about his childhood in Limerick, and his determination from a young age to educate himself. He recalled a story of going to a local farmer for milk for his family, and the farmer's words. "When I got there, his son was getting ready to go off to college, which was a dream of mine. And the father looks at me and he says, 'Isn't it too bad somebody like you will never be able to get to college?' I walked home that night, and – it's like it happened yesterday – every step I took, I said, 'I'm going to college. I'm going to college. I'm going to college.' I was determined.
"Negative things can be the greatest positive motivators," Dowling added. "Because if you tell me I can't do something, that's when I become determined to get it done."
Dowling resides on Long Island with his wife Kathleen. They have two children, a son, Brian, who is an administrator with Northwell, and a daughter, Elizabeth, an oncology nurse with Northwell.
The parade will take place onFriday, March 17.
As recently as 1988, the learned botanist Charles Jolson, then director of the famed Botanic Gardens in Dublin, attempted to solve the shamrock issue by asking folk from all over the country to send him in their shamrocks.
It seemed a good idea at the time, but I'm sad to say that you now need another shot from that bottle! You see, what happened was that not alone did he receive totally different species of clovers from all over the land, he also received alleged shamrocks which were not even clovers.
Rakes of them! I could blind you with botanical names here but, since you are already feeling delicate, I will simply say that a clover called trefolium dubium was the most common shamrock selection across the land, but there was also a strong showing of hardy trefolium repens, trefolium pratense and various other mutations, and even a strong showing of three-leaved plants which were not clovers at all. A fair percentage of the specimens he received were actually of wood sorrel!
So even when the bands play and the parades begin through the home towns and villages of Ireland on St. Patrick's Day, there are many separate species of clovers being paraded. And not a genuine mythical shamrock amongst them.
(At this point please forgive me because I need to take a healing shot from my own bottle because I fear I've worn sorrel on my bosom more than once in the past. I'll be back with ye in a moment…)
It is customary for our political leaders to travel in numbers over to the USA for St. Patrick's Day and to present your President with a basket of luxurious alleged shamrock. President Obama will use all his considerable social and political skills to be seen as President O'Bama during the green hours and days. I just wryly wonder will his breast be adorned with trefolium dubium or trefolium pratense or even some other species of common clover. What will Enda Kenny, bring with him to the White House? Will it even be a clover at all?
That 1988 astonishing survey apparently revealed that a good number of Mayo folk actually wear wood sorrel on their hardy breasts.
If it is indeed wood sorrel which will be presented to President O'Bama I hope he will be informed that, though it has a bitter taste, it also has considerable medicinal properties. The old Druids swore by it.
Incidentally, we might have lost the trademark use of the shamrock altogether about 30 years ago were it not for the intervention of another famous Mayo-born leader of the country, none other than the frequently maligned late Charlie Haughey.
The Irish government had long registered the shamrock as a national trademark, but this was successfully challenged in the German courts in the 1980s by a company which, I understand, wished to emblazon our shamrock on their fleet of refuse trucks and bulldozers. Haughey, however – fair play to him – saw to it that the case was powerfully appealed to the German Supreme Court in 1985. We won, and the (alleged) shamrock has been safe as our trademark ever since.
We don't have exclusive rights though. The shamrock is still the official symbol of the Danish town of Viborg and a range of other towns and cities which include the German city of Furth. It is also attached to the flags and banners of many sporting clubs both in the USA and right across the world.
Regiments in many armies march behind images of the shamrock. It is central to leading soccer club Panathinaikos in Greece, has been inscribed on the walls of Buckingham Palace since the Act of Union in 1801 (as a trefolium dubium beside the leek, thistle and rose) in the Royal Coat of Arms, and, in general, English writers down the centuries have been intrigued by the clovery connection between the Irish and the trefoils.
Time to take another swig out of that bottle.
We ritually drown whatever species of clover we have worn on the big day and, as we all know, some of us drown it more thoroughly than others. However, that is only half the story.
The English writers Edmund Spencer and Edmund Campion were amazed to report in the 16th century that the Irish were actually devouring large quantities of shamrocks, especially (they said) poorer Irish living through hard times.
There is the possibility, given the botanical confusion involved, that they were actually seeing folk eating the aforementioned wood sorrel.
That is an interesting factor because, forgetting our patron saint's work altogether, the wise old Druids often advised the Irishmen of their time to consume wood sorrel because it would make them strong and speedy in battle. I kid you not.
Given the daily battles that face our countries' leaders,
is it possible that we might see Enda Kenny and President O'Bama devouring their shamrocks/sorrels before the day is out? They could do worse.
And if you wish to be strong and speedy for the duration of the parade maybe, knowing what you now know, you should consider carefully if there is a better way of disposing of your own shamrock than simply drowning it!
Sorry for smashing a few fables, but I know well you will have a mighty day anyway no matter which species of clover adorns your person during the marching hours in question. In the end it does not matter at all.
And in conclusion, I would like to send special greetings to all the surviving residents of the small town of Shamrock in Texas and add the suggestion that they consider renaming it Trefoil or Oxalis before this time next year.
* Originally published March 2014.]]>
1. Reading Seamus Heaney's poetry on a subway poster
You're in a rush, sick to death of the snow and just wanting to get through the journey home and relax. You happen to glance up from your book as you struggle to keep your balance in a packed car, still avoiding eye contact with everybody around you. Just in front of you, plastered on the car wall, is a poem from Seamus Heaney. As you read through the words, you forget the hustle and bustle around you, almost forget to look for your stop, as you think of the ways in which our countryman's way with words has spread all over the world.
2. Hearing Irish artists on the radio
Not surprisingly, Hozier's a big deal this side of the Atlantic, too. Not only are we lucky enough to have a traditional music and dance culture that is encouraged and supported in Ireland and abroad, we have made major contributions to the international music scene.
3. Hearing stories from people who've visited Ireland
You may have heard about the beautiful countryside a thousand times over but nobody would be saying it if it wasn't true. Hearing these stories reminds us of the moments we may have forgotten: a big bowl of soup and brown bread in a pub snug on a rainy day, the sun shining on the Liffey as you walk up the quays with a '99, sandy sandwiches on a beach packed on a sunny Sunday afternoon or a hike through through the hills on a gusty day.
4. Using Irish on the subway
It makes us stand out, it lets people know that you are part of a different culture and it's also something you have in common with all other nationalities that flock to the city. There's nothing better than being able to use your own secret language to discuss other people on the train. Even if you just have a cúpla focal, being able to throw out an amadán (fool) at the person who rudely barged into you, or a náireach (embarrassing) at the person wearing the exact same dress, makes all the difference.
5. Being asked your opinion on Joyce, Beckett and Friel
As with Heaney, it makes you wonder how our small country managed to produce such talent. Students of English literature all over the world study the works of Irish authors and playwrights who've made an incredible contribution to the English language. Being asked your expert opinion may seem a little daunting, especially when you may not have read anything at all, but you're guaranteed to be greeted with enthusiasm if you can help others understand the mind of the Irish.
6. A fine Irish bar
Although we may attempt to distance ourselves from the drunken stereotype, if there is one thing we're good at, it's a good pub. Whether you're a pioneer who goes for the social occasion or a drinker who goes to sample every drink on offer, a cosy atmosphere and a place to debate all of the world's problems can always be guaranteed.
7. Seeing the empire state lit in green
New York City alone may have a population almost doubling our whole country's but they still find us important enough to light up one of the city's most iconic buildings in green in our honor. Seeing the green glow on the skyline from your Brooklyn apartment is guaranteed to set your heart alight with pride.
8. Accepting the gay community into our celebrations
This May will mark a very important moment in Irish history. As the country votes on the the topic of same-sex marriage, it is telling that it is also the first year that the NYC and Boston parades will allow LGBT groups to take part in festivities. The inclusion of these groups is a step in the direction of equality and inclusion, on a day when we all deserve the right to celebrate Ireland.
9. Seeing people learn traditional instruments/Irish dancing
Many people underestimate how fortunate the Irish are in their ability to maintain their traditional culture while still playing an important role internationally. Many countries suffer from a loss of their cultural heritage as time passes on, especially as the culture of wealthier countries begins to hold dominance over their own. The Irish, on the other hand, are still going strong with dancers and musicians spread to the four corners of the globe.
10. People attempting to copy your accent
As Julie Hecht says in her book Do the Windows Open? "Sometimes everything the Irish said sounded like a poem." Yes, this may be cringe-inducing from time to time but isn't it best to take it as a compliment? Nobody would be attempting to copy the Irish brogue if they didn't like it so much, so instead of turning up your nose at any feeble attempts, teach them a few words that will make sure their Irish lingo is finely tuned.
So tell us! When do you feel #proudtobeIrish – is it something about Irish culture? Irish history? Ireland today? Is there someone in your family or community who makes you especially proud? We can't wait to hear your stories.]]>
Back before the days of electricity and refrigeration, one of the few ways to preserve meat for the winter season was to salt cure it. In fall, when temperatures were chilly and cold, cows were harvested, and the meat packed into wooden barrels between alternating layers of coarse salt.
This salt was roughly the size of kernels of corn; hence the term "corned" beef. Salting also gives the beef its pungent, piquant flavor and chewy fibrous texture as well.
So why salt?
Salt is excellent at removing moisture from cells via osmotic pressure. Too much salt can make us feel thirsty, as it naturally drives water from our cells. This is why salt "cures" animal flesh so effectively. It also creates an environment that is hostile to bacteria and fungus as well.
Boiling is essential in driving out salt, and tenderizing the meat. Cabbage is an excellent "wintering" vegetable because of its high density, and it keeps well in root cellars—artificial "caves" dug beneath ground—hence the natural combination of corned beef and cabbage in winter. It's of interest that corned beef is rarely prepared this way any longer, but is "wet cured" in a brine solution with spices.
New York City is perhaps best known as the capital city of corned beef. St. Patrick's Day often sees New York hosting the nation's premier corned beef competitions, featuring the best of the corner deli best, including Blarney Stone, Casey's, Fitzpatrick Hotel, Grandstand, The Kettle Black, and Langan's, all prime purveyors of salty beef piled mile high with hearty pickle on rye.
Corned beef and cabbage, however, similar to that served at the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, may have originated in the United States and only recently found its way to Ireland. Some claim that corned beef and cabbage originated in New York City, and that is why New York City is known for the best corned beef and cabbage in the world.
The argument can be made that corned beef is about as Irish as General Tso's chicken is Chinese. Indeed, you'd have less difficulty tracking down the meat in a New York bar than in a Dublin pub. But don't judge the dish too harshly. This briny brisket fed the folks that made America—just as our cities were built on carry-out Chinese, anchored by the inauthentic fried egg roll.
10 spring roll wrappers
6 cups hot water for soaking wrappers
1lb cooked white cabbage or use a 16oz. package of Sauerkraut, drained
1 medium onion, finely minced
1 tsp caraway seeds
1 tbs olive oil
½ lb thinly sliced corned beef, julienne
½ tsp ground black pepper
4 oz. shredded Swiss cheese, chilled
1 quart peanut oil or other high heat oil
Thousand Island dressing
Oh, and don't forget the cool, frothy Guinness, not for the recipe but just to have while making the dish!
Sauté the minced onion in olive oil over a medium flame until translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside. Place cooked cabbage or sauerkraut in a lint-free dishcloth and wring out any remaining water or brine. Place cabbage or sauerkraut in large mixing bowl. Add pepper, caraway seeds, onion, and cheese. Mix thoroughly. Set aside.
Soak one spring roll wrapper in hot water. Use tongs to remove wrapper. Place on prep area. Wrapper may stick so a lint-free cloth may be used under wrapper.
Ingredients should be added 1 inch from the edge closest to the preparer.
Add 6 slices of corned beef and then cabbage from the left to right side of the spring roll wrapper. You may have to adjust amounts, less or more, depending on the size of the wrapper or desired fullness. Fold left and right sides of wrapper over edges of filling. Roll wrapper from bottom. Repeat with remaining spring roll wrappers.
Heat the oil to 375F. Fry spring rolls until golden brown and drain on paper towels. Cut in half. Serve hot with a side of Thousand Island dressing.
Traditional Irish fare but with an modern day twist, corned beef and cabbage spring roll.
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* Originally published in 2013.]]>
Last Wednesday, September 28, Conor O'Neill's pub, located just off Pearl St in Boulder, Colorado, celebrated its 17th birthday just days after its owners, Cork man Colm O'Neill and Tom Murray from Detroit, announced via Facebook that this weekend was to be its last. The future of the fan-favorite St. Patrick's Day parade also looks bleak.
Starting off at O'Neill's, the parade would take a short trip down 13th Street between Walnut and Spruce streets before turning around for a second pass.
"Who knows?," O'Neill told IrishCentral, when asked if the parade would continue in the pub's absence.
"We would have done it for 17 years and it definitely became very popular. People absolutely lapped it up."
"There's quite a bit of effort goes into it and effort would have started a couple of months before hand. Obviously because of us, my wife is also from Kerry, and because of the whole Irish tie-in and the pub, there was good incentive for us to pull it along whereas now it would be a different story.
"There isn't a particularly big Irish community in Boulder in terms of getting people to be enthusiastic about it."
Read more: Irish flag raised on site of first St. Patrick's Day parade 255 years on (VIDEO)
Having already established a successful Irish pub, in Ann Arbor, MI O'Neill and his business partner Murray, whose father hails from Co. Sligo, were introduced through a friend to a person selling a pub in Boulder. Wishing to expand on their business, they took over the Irish American pub, The James, in 1999 and redecorated it to match the decoration of the their Ann Arbor pub.
O'Neill settled in Boulder and spent 15 successful years as owner of Conor O'Neill's before a large-scale construction project, which began in 2014, closed off their patio and half of their seating space, causing a drastic dip in business.
"It's just business," O'Neill admits good-naturedly, despite the negative impact of the construction that quenched their business after a decade and a half of good fortune.
"If the numbers work, things are good and if the numbers don't work, then it's just time to move on.
"We had a unique situation … We had been in existence for 15 years and had done quite well for 15 years … A big construction project took place over the course of the last two years literally right behind our pub and for the builder to do the project he needed some of our space so we ended up losing half the seats of the pub.
"Our pub was literally cut in half and our patio had to go, one of the rooms in the pub had to go … We had about 150 seats in the pub and about 75 to 80 we ended up losing because of this big construction project and that ferociously affected our sales whereby it just made it all the harder to keep the show on the road.
"It's no different to anywhere else in the States. In the summer, the patio is the most popular part of the seating and for the last two summers we've had no patio so, obviously, people just went to places that had patios and it hugely affected our business."
Despite paying reduced rent as agreed with the building owner throughout the period of construction, and attempting to strike a deal for more manageable rent to continue until sales went back up again, a deal failed to be reached and for O'Neill's owners "it just didn't make sense us staying."
"As a viable business proposition it didn't work for us so it was time for us to move on," O'Neill added. "Hey, if somebody else is willing to give it a shot, best of luck to them, but from our perspective the damage that was done when our space got cut in half. It was just too much and it was impossible to get it back up in a hurry."
Read more: The best Irish pub in every state in the US according to Yelp
Although the University of Colorado, located in Boulder, does offer Irish and British Studies options for its students, the city of Boulder itself, with a population estimate of 100,000 people, does not have an extremely large Irish population. At least in comparison to nearby Denver, home to the Denver Gaels hurling and football club.
Despite the lack of a local Irish community, the pub has drawn in crowds in its 17-year history, particularly now. The bar has been packed ever since the closing announcement was made.
"A lot of people are not happy with what has played out," O'Neill admits, despite seeming to have accepted his pub's fate himself.
"I've received everything from people emailing me saying 'we want to do a petition' and we've been packed every night since we said we were closing.
"The actual feedback has been absolutely phenomenal, the response has been phenomenal. Even though for us now, our issue has been going on for two years. The feedback and the response have been absolutely first class."
Have you ever attended the world's shortest St. Patrick's Day parade? Will you be sorry to see it come to an end? Or do you know of another town's parade that may now be the shortest? Let us know in the comments section, below.]]>
Thirty-six-year-old Shaun, a police officer by day, is known by his fellow NJ Hibernians as someone who promotes fairness and justice in his community. He is also known as someone who helps with the charitable foundation 'Project Ireland' – responsible for bringing both Catholic and Protestant kids from the north of Ireland to the US for a welcome break.
Proud to be a third generation Irish American and equally proud to wear garments that proclaim that heritage, Shaun was particularly incensed when he discovered that his local Target store was selling what he regarded as 'offensive Irish t-shirts,' back in 2015.
However, unlike the stereotypical 'fightin' drunken' Irish t-shirts on sale every St. Patrick's Day, this one offended on a different level.
Shaun went to the Target Store at the Woodbury-Glassboro Road mall in Mantua, NJ to investigate. What he saw was a t-shirt, on sale for $5, that offended his Irish pride.
The t-shirt's portrayal of a map of Ireland with the word 'IRELAND' emblazoned across it wouldn't normally offend someone like McCann, but the geography was a little 'askew'.
The designers of the t-shirt saw fit to adhere to the British viewpoint that the northernmost six counties are not part of the island of Ireland, so they simply left them out.
No, they didn't just exclude them by way of a border line...they simply left them out.
Anything north of the border was simply excluded. All of a sudden a trip northwards had nothing but sea after Dundalk.
This faux pas is like having a map of the United States with all of New England missing.
Not only was the t-shirt geographically inaccurate, but it also had a four leaf clover in place of the ubiquitous Shamrock.
Shaun did what any proud Irish American would do who saw part of his ancestral homeland missing....he complained to the store manager. After explaining why the shirt offended him and the possible consequences of keeping it on the shelves of a store whose customers were largely Irish American, the Target store manager decided to advise his regional manager of Shaun's complaint.
After snapping a photograph of the t-shirt and posting it on the AOH social network, Shaun was surprised but happy to see it had garnered 10,000 'hits' "within a matter of hours." His photo was now on its way to going viral.
So why did this t-shirt incense and offend a NJ police officer like Shaun McCann?
"I found the shirt to be offensive due to the removal of Northern Ireland. I felt the shirt disrespected the legacy of those who fought and died for a free and united Ireland. I felt it disrespected those who lived through the Troubles and were harassed, beaten, and unlawfully arrested or accused. I believe a product like this upsets the movement for a peaceful process to the union of Ireland. It suggests people born in Northern Ireland, or Irish-Americans whose ancestors are from the north, are not Irish at all."
By 9pm that Wednesday evening reports reached Shaun that "Target had already begun pulling the shirts from their racks."
This is not the first time the AOH has protested at offensive Irish t-shirts. One New York branch held a meeting outside their local Spencer's Gifts store to protest the sale of t-shirts that "targeted and mocked Irish culture."
Stores that have sold offensive Irish t-shirts in the past have included Walmart, Old Navy, Spencers' Gifts, as well as many smaller stores.
So remember, if you see an offensive Irish t-shirt in a store near you, be like Shaun and don't be afraid to voice your objection to the store manager.
* Originally published in 2015.]]>
Dunleavy's lawyer Francis X. Young filed a motion at Bronx Supreme Court to nix the meeting, but it was denied by Judge Robert Johnson, the former Bronx district attorney who will eventually rule on the civil case Dunleavy and Young brought against board chairman Dr. John Lahey last year, alleging an illegal takeover of the board.
Read more: Dunleavy supports Lahey in NYC St Patrick's Day parade vote
Johnson approved the September 7 meeting of board members – which Dunleavy himself attended – and the naming of two new members earlier this year.
The board meeting discussed financial matters associated with the parade, as mandated by an audit commissioned by Lahey after he assumed chairmanship in June of 2015. Also on the agenda was discussion of a 2017 parade grand marshal.
The board has no further meetings planned at this time.
Read the latest news on St. Patrick's Day here]]>
J'Ouvert takes place in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, throughout the night before the West Indian Day Parade, held every Labor Day.
"I'm outraged… this is a libel against the Irish community in this town," lawyer Brian O'Dwyer, Chairman of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, said.
"There were some hooligans we took care of, but there was never year-after-year of people being killed, shot and stabbed," O'Dwyer added.
The mayor also compared the festival's violence to the Puerto Rican Day parade, angering the city's Puerto Rican community.
"This is disrespectful — this is shameful for him to say that. The Puerto Rican Day Parade has never got a death, killing, bloodshed," State Senator Ruben Diaz said.
De Blasio claimed that "For decades, permits were given to the Puerto Rican Parade, to the St. Patrick's Day Parade… there was violence and people bluntly expected it."
Even his own Police Chief Bill Bratton disagreed with his boss, saying St.Patrick's and other parades dealt only with "quality of life issues."
"J'Ouvert is singular in the significant violence associated with it,"Bratton said.
That is true and de Blasio knows it. I don't know what weed de Blasio was smoking.
WSJ: RT WSJNY: De Blasio, gay and lesbian Irish group march for first time in St. Patrick's Day Parade … pic.twitter.com/vO6lZsdVGX— Investing Insight (@InvestingLatest) March 17, 2016
Someone forget to tell him that the last shooting or serious violence connected to the St. Patrick's Day Parade was an IRA hit in 1923 on the informer "Cruxy" O'Connor by Pa Murray of the Cork IRA after "Cruxy" was identified and followed at the parade.
Read More: Ten ways Mayor de Blasio has angered New York's Irish community
Since then there have been issues with the parade, God knows, but never gun violence. The worst was beer showers and boos for Mayor David Dinkins when he marched with a gay group in 1991.
Why does de Blasio choose to lump in the Irish parade with the murderous events at the J'Ouvert carnival, where two people were shot dead, one a young girl who objected to being fondled by a pervert?
Gangs use J'Ouvert as a time to settle scores, marring the celebration. As in other years, deadly violence broke out.
At 3:45 am on Monday, at Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, Tyreke Borel, 17, was shot in the chest. He later died at Kings County Hospital, sources said.
At 4:15 a.m., Tiarah Poyau, 22, was fatally shot in the eye at Washington Avenue and Empire Boulevard, police said.
Poyau's LinkedIn page showed that she was an international tax intern at PricewaterhouseCoopers and an aspiring accountant. She listed St. John's University as her undergraduate and graduate school.
These are terrible tragedies and the clear and obvious thing to do is cancel J'Ouvert until the community and police can get their act together. Two deaths in a year when the police presence was higher than ever before is more than enough to warrant this. No one attending is safe, as these two killings make clear.
Instead, de Blasio announces the parade can go on. "I think it was very clear yesterday that we were not including the option of ending something which has gone on for decades and decades," de Blasio said at a news conference with police officials. "We have to find out a way to make it safer."
Standing w/ Mayor DeBlasio & First Lady Chirlane while waiting to speak at the West Indian American Parade breakfast pic.twitter.com/gOC9NxAvZZ— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) September 5, 2016
De Blasio's PC mentality blazer is getting worse the longer he is in office, and he now cannot distinguish fact from political correctness.
There's a huge difference between ensuring people are not publicly drunk (the main issue with the St. Patrick's Day parade) and shooting dead two unarmed citizens, as happened in Brooklyn.
De Blasio implies an equivalence that is plain nutty but this mayor is well known for having strange demons to exercise.
He refused to appoint an Irish community liaison, has rarely ever attended an Irish event other than keeping the community waiting until the last moment to announce an Irish community breakfast on St.Patrick's Day, and arrives incredibly late at St.Patrick's services.
Saying the St. Patrick's Day parade has been violent is nonsense.
Indeed, there is marvelous security provided for marchers and the public by the hundreds of volunteers who staff the parade and the police who provide security.
This mayor has shown his tin ear and total contempt for the Irish once again.]]>
If so, you may want to jump on the latest offers from Aer Lingus, who are offering round-trip flights to Ireland from as little as $499 throughout the extended holiday period from Thanksgiving, through Christmas, New Year, and right up to March 17.
For the next two weeks, the Irish airline is inviting US residents to see Ireland for less, spend the important holidays with their Irish loved ones, or simply treat themselves with the holiday craic overseas.
Until Wednesday, September 14, at 7.00pm (Eastern Time) Ireland's national airline will be offering incredible deals on its off-season, direct, transatlantic flights, bringing you from one of eight US airports to Dublin on the east coast of Ireland, or to Shannon airport on the west.
With limited seats available between November 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017, it's the perfect time to take advantage of bargain flight prices along with the current extremely favorable exchange rate.
Sample roundtrip fares inclusive of taxes and fees available exclusively at Aerlingus.com:
Aer Lingus can also help you out once you arrive, thanks to the Vacation Store providing additional deals on air and land inclusive packages. Packages include the highly popular "Ireland's Great Cities." Starting at $699* per person, based on two people traveling, this package features roundtrip airfare, standard car rental and six nights' accommodations.
And don't forget that Ireland is just the doorway to the rest of Europe with flights to other European cities also on sale.
This year has seen the largest expansion of the Aer Lingus Transatlantic network since they first commenced the service in 1958. As well as launching a new Dublin-Newark route on September 1, there are just weeks to wait before the inaugural flight between Dublin and Hartford, CT which will start off a new, four-times weekly service, and a direct Dublin – Los Angeles, route was started just last May.
Read more: Inaugural Dublin to Newark Aer Lingus flight takes off
Remember this list when someone asks "Are you Irish?"
You know you're Irish if...
~ The person that you insult most is probably your best friend
~ During your youth much of your food was boiled
~ You're strangely poetic after a few beers
~ You don't know the words but that doesn't stop you from singing
~ You can't wait for the other guy to stop talking so you can start talking
~ You have no idea how to make a long story short
~ Tea is the solution to every problem
~ And holy water is the solution to every injury
~ Saying 'I will yea' means that you definitely won't
~ 'For the craic' is the best reason for doing anything
~ Nobody can go a day without saying 'Jaysus'
~ You have a gift for swearing
~ You can insert the name of a gardening tool into any sentence and it still makes sense, e.g. 'I had a rake of drink last night' or "I'll be out in a minute, I'm just shoveling down the dinner'
~ It's perfectly acceptable to call your mother 'mammy' even though you are a fully grown adult
~ Saying 'Now we're sucking diesel' means that you are happy with the outcome of the situation
~ Drinking 'tae' is everyone's favourite past time
~ You're scared of the wooden spoon
~ The word 'like' goes in every sentence
~ You can say "Any craic' to a policeman and you won't get arrested
Read more fun stories on IrishCentral here.
Sources : The Door and Facebook
Now you've no excuse not to join in the celebrations!
Here's a low down of the names, background and we've even provided you with lyrics!
"The Irish Rover"
A traditional Irish song about a magnificent, though improbable, sailing ship that reaches an unfortunate end. One that is only sung after many a beer is consumed and Irish people get nostalgic. Some may end up in tears.
Sing along now:
"On the fourth of July eighteen hundred and six,
We set sail from the sweet cove of Cork,
We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks,
For the grand city hall in New York,
'Twas a wonderful craft, she was rigged fore-and-aft,
And oh, how the wild winds drove her.
She'd got several blasts, she'd 27 masts,
And we called her the Irish Rover…"
"A Nation Once Again"
This song was written in the early to mid-1840s by Thomas Osborne Davis. Davis was the founder of the Young Ireland, a movement that led changes in Irish nationalism.
The song is a prime example of the "Irish rebel music" sub-genre (though it does not celebrate fallen Irish freedom fighters by name, or cast aspersions on the British government as so many rebel songs do).
Sing along now:
"When boyhood's fire was in my blood,
I read of ancient freemen,
For Greece and Rome who bravely stood,
Three hundred men and three men;
And then I prayed I yet might see,
Our fetters rent in twain,
And Ireland, long a province, be?A Nation once again…!"
"The Boys of the Old Brigade"
An Irish Republican folk song about the Irish Republican Army in the Irish War of Independence. The title is borrowed from the older (but different) military song, a slow march that is always played at the annual Festival of Remembrance when the Chelsea Pensioners file in. ("Then steadily shoulder to shoulder, steadily blade by blade, marching along, hearty and strong, like the boys of the old brigade").
Sing along now:
"Oh, father why are you so sad
On this bright Easter morn'
When Irish men are proud and glad
Of the land where they were born?
Oh, son, I see in mem'ry's view
A far off distant day
When being just a lad like you
I joined the IRA…."
"Arthur McBride"
In this song, the narrator and his cousin Arthur McBride, both Irish, were taking a walk when they were approached by three British military recruiters, a recruiting sergeant, a corporal and a drummer. The recruiters attempt to induce the narrator and Arthur McBride into military service, extolling the virtues of serving the King of England, having money to spend, and wearing nice clothes.
Sing along now:
"I had a first cousin called Arthur McBride,
He and I went a walkin' down by the seaside;
In search of good fortune and what might betide,
It was just as the day was a'dawnin.'"
"Come Out Ye Black and Tans"
An Irish rebel song referring to the Black and Tans, the British paramilitary police auxiliary force in Ireland during the 1920s. The song was written by Dominic Behan as a tribute to his father Stephen; authorship of the song is often attributed to Stephen. The melody was adapted from an old air used for the Loyalist song "Boyne Water" as well as several other songs in English and Irish.
Sing along now:
"Oh, come out you black and tans,
Come out and fight me like a man,
Show your wife how you won medals down in Flanders,
Tell her how the IRA made you run like hell away,
From the green and lovely lanes in Killeshandra…."
"Some Say the Devil is Dead"
A satirical song about the British Army written by Derek Warfield. He is an Irish singer, songwriter, historian, and a founding member of the musical group the Wolfe Tones.
Sing along now:
"Some say the devil is dead, the devil is dead, the devil is dead,
Some say the devil is dead and buried in Killarney.
More say he rose again, more say he rose again, more say he rose again,
And joined the British Army…."
"Molly Malone"
This popular song, set in Dublin, has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin City. It has also acquired the status of an Irish anthem.
The Molly Malone statue on Grafton Street was unveiled by then Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alderman Ben Briscoe, during the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations, declaring June 13 as Molly Malone Day.
The song tells the tale of a beautiful fishmonger who plied her trade on the streets of Dublin, but who died young of a fever. Recently a legend has grown up that there was a historical Molly, who lived in the 17th century. She is typically represented as a hawker by day and part-time prostitute by night.
In contrast she has also been portrayed as one of the few chaste female street-hawkers of her day.
Sing along now:
"In Dublin's fair city,
where the girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh…!"
"Danny Boy"
A ballad usually set to the tune of the "Londonderry Air," it is most closely associated with Irish communities. "Danny Boy" was written by the English lawyer and lyricist Frederick Weatherly in 1910. Although the lyrics were originally written for a different tune, Weatherly modified them to fit "Londonderry Air" in 1913 when his sister-in-law in America sent him a copy.
Ernestine Schumann-Heink made the first recording in 1915. Weatherly gave the song to the vocalist Elsie Griffin, who in turn made it one of the most popular songs in the new century. In 1928, Weatherly suggested that the second verse would provide a fitting requiem for the actress Ellen Terry.
Sing along now:
"Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling,
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side,
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow…
"The Fields of Athenry"
An Irish folk ballad set during the Great Hunger (1845-1850), it tells the story of a fictional man named Michael from near Athenry in Co. Galway, who has been sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay, Australia, for stealing food for his starving family. It is a widely known and popular anthem for Irish sports supporters and fans of Celtic football.
Sing along now:
"Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
[Hey baby let the free birds fly!]
Our love was on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry."
And just because this next one is really pretty funny....
"There's No One As Irish As Barack O'Bama"
A song created by an Co. Limerick-based group The Corrigan Brothers (formerly known as Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys) when it was discovered that Obama has Irish roots in Moneygall, Co. Offaly. Their song was a huge hit on YouTube and continues to be sung around the word.
Sing along now:
"From Kerry and Cork to old Donegal
Let's hear it for Barack from old Moneygall
From the lakes if Killarney to old Connemara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama….."
For more stories from our St. Patrick's Day section, click here.
*Originally published in July 2014.]]>
This simple recipe is an ideal one to make with the kids. The word colcannon is from the Gaelic "cal ceannann," which literally means "white-headed cabbage."
In the past, charms were mixed in with the colcannon. Depending on what charm you found it was seen as a portent for the future. A button meant you would remain a bachelor and a thimble meant you would remain a spinster for the coming year. A ring meant you would get married and a coin meant you would come into wealth. Others filled their socks with colcannon and hung them from the handle of the front door in the belief that the first man through the door would be their future husband.
Colcannon Recipe
4 lbs (1.8kg) potatoes, or about 7-8 large potatoes ('old' potatoes or russet potatoes are best, waxy potatoes won't do)
1 head of green cabbage or kale
1 cup ( 7 fl oz, 240 ml) milk (or cream)
1 stick (4oz, 120g) butter, divided into three parts
4-5 scallions (green onions), chopped*
Salt and pepper
Fresh Parsley or chives
*Not everyone adds scallions to colcannon, but they do add something, in my opinion.
Peel and put them in a pot to boil.
While the potatoes are cooking, remove the core from the cabbage, slice the leaves thinly, and put into a large saucepan. Cover with boiling water from the kettle and keep at a slow rolling boil until the cabbage is just wilted and has turned a darker green. This can take anything from 3-5 minutes, depending on the cabbage. Test it and don't let it overcook - if anything it should be slightly undercooked.
When the cabbage is cooked, drain it well, squeeze to get any excess moisture out, then return to the saucepan. Add one third of the butter and cover. Leave it covered and in a warm place, but not on a burner, with the butter melting gently into it while you continue.
When the potatoes are soft, drain the water and return the potatoes to the saucepan. With the drained potatoes in, set the burner to low, leaving the lid off so that any excess moisture can evaporate. When they are perfectly dry, add the milk to the saucepan, along with a third of the butter and the chopped scallions (if you are using them). Allow the milk to warm but not boil – it is about right when the butter has fully melted and the pot is starting to steam.
With a potato masher or a fork, mash the potatoes thoroughly into the butter/milk mixture. Do NOT pass through a ricer or, worse, beat in a mixer as it will make the potatoes gluey and disgusting.
Mix the cabbage thoroughly through the mashed potato.
Before serving, season with a little salt and sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives. Most importantly, make a well in the centre of the mound of potato and put the last third of the butter in there to melt.
Source: DoChara.com]]>
While millions around the world will celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17, the sad fact is that Patrick has never been canonized by the Catholic Church and is a saint in name only.
As writer Ken Concannon stated: "There was no formal canonization process in the Church during its first millennium. In the early years of the Church the title saint was bestowed first upon martyrs, and then upon individuals recognized by tradition as being exceptionally holy during their lifetimes.
"Consequently these Irish saints, including St. Patrick, were never actually formally canonized -- save one. The exception was Fergal, also known as St. Virgil of Salzburg, an 8th century missionary scholar who was officially canonized in 1233 by Pope Gregory IX. Virgil is one of only four Irish saints to be canonized by Rome.
Read More: The full story of St. Patrick's life, from his kidnapping to the Irish people's faith
"There was no formal process for canonization in place when Patrick died. He was proclaimed a saint by popular acclaim, probably with the approval of a bishop. The official process for canonization did not come until about the 12th century."
Patrick was actually the grandson of a priest back when marriage for clerics was not frowned upon. His genius was bringing together the old pagan traditions and the new religion together in harmony in Ireland in the 5th century.
Patrick was the first major figure to reject slavery and for that alone he deserves proper canonization.
The Shamrock
Derived from the Irish word seamróg, meaning 'little clover,' shamrock refers to young sprigs of clover. It was coined by Edmund Campion, an English scholar in 1571, when he wrote of the 'wild Irish' people eating the plant. In fact, the Irish at that time included wood-sorrel as a herb in their diet, which looked quite similar to clover.
It is popularly believed that St. Patrick once used the clover in his preaching to symbolize the Christian Holy Trinity, although the first written account of this does not appear until Caleb Threlkeld wrote of it in 1726.
The clover was a sacred plant of the Irish Druids, due to the cluster of its three heart-shaped leaves. Three was a sacred number in Irish mythology, perhaps inspiring St. Patrick to 'Christianize' it in his teachings.
The Metrical Dindshenchas, a collection of ancient poems dating back to 11th century, known as 'the lore of places', indicates that the shamrock was important long before the arrival of St. Patrick.
Teltown (in Irish Tailten, named for Tailltiu, who was Lugh Lámhfhada's foster mother) was described as a plane covered in blossoming clover. Brigid founded her religious order in Co. Kildare (in Irish Cill Darra, meaning 'church of the oak') in a blossom-covered clover field. These beautiful meadows were called St. Brigid's Pastures, 'in which no plow is ever suffered to turn a furrow.' It was said that, although cattle were allowed to graze there from morning till night, the next day the clover remained as luxuriant as ever.
In later times it became traditional for Irish men to wear the shamrock in their hats on St. Patrick's Day.
After mass they would visit the local drinking establishment to 'drown the shamrock' in 'St. Patrick's Pot.' This involved placing their shamrock in the last beverage of the day, draining the glass, then picking out the shamrock and tossing it over their left shoulder.
During the 18th century, the shamrock became popular as a national emblem worn by members of the Irish Volunteers, local warbands raised to defend Ireland against the threat of Spanish and French invasion.
Now, every year on St. Patrick's Day, the Irish Taoiseach presents a Waterford crystal bowl featuring a shamrock design containing shamrocks to the US President in the White House.
The Shillelagh
From the Irish sail éille (shee-lay-lee), meaning 'cudgel with a strap,' the shillelagh is a stick traditionally made from blackthorn or oak. Wood taken from the root was preferred, as it was considerably harder and less likely to split.
The stick would have been coated in lard or butter, and placed inside a chimney to 'cure,' thus giving it its black shiny surface. It would normally have a large knob at the top for a handle.
Although often thought of as a walking stick, the shillelagh was actually a weapon used in the art of Bataireacht (Bat-er-akt), an ancient Irish martial art, and means 'stick fighting.' It evolved over the centuries from spear, staff, axe and sword combat, and prior to the 19th century, was used to train Irish soldiers in sword fighting techniques. There were three types; short, medium and long, and it was used to strike, parry and disarm an opponent. It was considered a gentlemanly way of settling a dispute.
The Leprechaun
Known in Irish as the leipreachán, this mischievous little fellow is usually depicted as an old man, about 3ft tall, with red hair and beard, dressed in a dapper green or red coat and hat.
He makes shoes and hides his gold coins in a pot at the end of the rainbow. He is said to be intelligent, cunning and devious, a comical figure who loves practical jokes, a creature neither good nor evil.
As a fairy being, he is thought to be associated with the Tuatha de Denann, however, there is no mention of such a character in Sidhe or Denann mythology. It is more likely that he has arisen out of local folklore and superstition. Despite his enormous popularity, there is little known about his origins.
Ali Isaac lives in beautiful rural Co Cavan in Ireland, and is the author of two books based on Irish mythology, "Conor Kelly and The Four Treasures of Eirean," and "Conor Kelly and The Fenian King." Ali regularly posts on topics of Irish interest on her blog, www.aliisaacstoryteller.com
*Originally published in March 2015.]]>
Luke Wadding is the man we can all thank, praise, or blame for making St. Patrick's Day the day it is.
Wadding, a Co. Waterford native born in October 1558, was a Franciscan priest ordained in 1607 and sent as chaplain to Rome in 1618.
Once there, he soon began raising funds for an Irish college for clerical students studying for the priesthood. He had accumulated great power in Rome and succeeded in his quest, opening the college in 1625. Wadding acted as head of the Irish College for decades after.
A fierce Irish nationalist, he had no time at all for the English and their occupation of Ireland. He strongly supported the Irish Catholic uprising in the war of 1641, and his college became a hotbed of opposition to the English. Wadding sent soldiers and arms to Ireland, and persuaded Pope Innocent X to send Archbishop Giovanni Rinuccini there as his representative.
Rinuccini went to Ireland with a huge quantity of arms, including 20,000 pounds of gunpowder, and a large sum of money to help the Irish rebels who he hoped would declare an independent Catholic Ireland.
Alas Rinuccini failed in his task, partly because of internal Irish strife (what's new?). He returned to Rome in 1649, leaving Ireland at the mercy of Oliver Cromwell, who later crushed the Irish rebellion.
Efforts were made to make Luke Wadding a cardinal, but his enemies prevented it. He was by far the strongest advocate of the Irish cause in Rome and met with several popes to push the issue. He was so effective that generations later his spirit lived on in the Irish college.
In the late 19th century, Sir George Errington was sent by British Prime Minister William Gladstone to Rome to explain the Irish question and ask for support for the British position.
He came back empty-handed, however, explaining that the Irish politicians in Ireland were utter moderates compared to the priests and staff at the Irish College.
Wadding succeeded, against all the odds, in making St. Patrick's Day a feast day. After it was decreed a holy day of obligation, it was wholeheartedly embraced by the Catholic Church and soon became a worldwide day of celebration. Though the day had been observed from around the 10th century, Wadding was the one who put the power of the church behind it.
His legacy has come down the ages to us. In 1900, his portrait and part of his library were placed in the Franciscan convent on Merchant's Quay in Dublin and his life story was written by Francis Harold, his nephew.
So spare a thought for Luke Wadding this St. Patrick's Day. Without him we would likely never have the grand occasion we celebrate this week.
* Originally published in 2015.]]>
The Irish builders would still have to buy a few drinks in order to get their supposedly free dinner, but the main reason that the corned beef and cabbage dinner is thought to be of Irish origin is not because they were enticed by a traditional meal so much as a cheap meal.
Whichever you prefer to treat yourself to - whether it's the corned beef and cabbage or the bacon and cabbage - enjoy!
The suit claims Walsh had threatened to withhold necessary permits that could have stopped the parade in its entirety, according to court documents filed on Monday and reported in the Boston Herald.
"The mayor of Boston has the authority to issue or not issue parade permits in the City of Boston," attorney Chester Darling, 89, wrote in the complaint. "Mayor Walsh has repeatedly attempted to alter or control the plaintiff's parade, by acts which are violations of the time, place and manner jurisprudence."
The gay military veterans service group OutVets and gay rights group Boston Pride made history in 2015 when they joined the dual celebration of military veterans and Irish heritage at the invitation of the sponsoring South Boston Allied War Veterans Council.
But Darling's filing this week accuses Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans of violating the constitutional rights of the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council.
St Patrick's parade organizers claim Mayor Marty Walsh bullied them into including gay group https://t.co/JFEzrPnM27 pic.twitter.com/aCxGJXWocB— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) August 3, 2016
According to the Boston Herald, the federal suit first filed in March asks for "permanent injunctive relief" against the city for what it calls "coercive and threatening acts."
"The calls were coming from City Hall left and right, and the word was that the veterans were going to lose their parade," Darling, who describes himself as a liberal conservative, told the Herald. "He sat there and said he was going to change the content of the parade."
Walsh has reportedly denied the allegations. "It's not true; it's completely not true," Walsh told the Herald.
"This administration did not hold permits for anyone," Walsh continued. "It's sad when the press keeps reporting that we withheld permits when we didn't."
In 1995 Darling, who has previously represented LGBT plaintiffs, won a groundbreaking Supreme Court ruling allowing the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council to exclude gay groups on First Amendment grounds.
Twenty years later, Darling's arguing that Walsh has effectively undermined that landmark decision with bully tactics and red tape.
Darling claims that during veterans council meetings with Walsh about the 2015 parade, Walsh said if LGBT groups weren't included he might cancel the parade for "safety reasons."
For any Boston Celtic fans, you may remember this Irish dancing school from Marblehead, Massachusetts, taking to the court for the halftime show on March 17 for several years in the lead-up to their participation on the World Dancing Championships at the end of the month.
In the third year of this tradition in 2010, the talented group of dancers really got the crowd going, just three weeks before they headed to Glasgow for the World's.
The above video shows the incredible show from the sidelines while this second video takes us up into the crowd to get a good view of the show from above.
It's incredible to see the show the Bremer school put on each year, upping the ante in 2011 when they took on part of the music from Riverdance before really getting the crowd going with Dropkick Murphys' "Shipping Up to Boston," the perfect song to get the Boston Celtic fans riled up.
Unfortunately, there are no videos of their very first year but you can see the younger members of the dancing troupe looking even more adorable in this video from the halftime show in 2009.]]>
But the phrase originally had a different connotation.
According to Edward T. O'Donnell, an Associate Professor of History at Holy Cross College and author of '1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History,' the term is not Irish in origin.
"During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish American birth. . . .Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression 'luck of the Irish.' Of course, it carried with it a certain tone of derision, as if to say, only by sheer luck, as opposed to brains, could these fools succeed."
The word luck itself is Middle Dutch in origin, according to Mental Floss. The word comes from 'luc,' a shortening of 'gheluc,' meaning "happiness,good fortune."
The word was probably introduced into the English language in the 15th century as a gambling term.
For more stories from our St. Patrick's Day section, click here.]]>
Here's a grown-up version you can make at home.
1 ¾ cups low-fat vanilla ice cream
¼ cup vanilla vodka (or unflavored vodka + ½ tsp. vanilla extract)
¼ cup Crème de Menthe
½ tbsp grated dark chocolate + 1 tsp for topping
a few sprigs of mint
Throw ice cream, vodka and crème de menthe in a blender and mix until it's just evenly combined. Make sure not to over-blend. If you do, just add more ice cream.
Here's some background history to the McDonald shake:
The Shamrock Shake was developed in 1970, according to McDonald's. It was created to raise money to buy the four-story house which would become the first Ronald McDonald House.
When Philadelphia Eagles tight end Fred Hill's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and began treatment, the family had to camp out in the hospital waiting rooms in hospitals. They saw other families doing the same and realized that many families traveling long distances to visit sick family members needed a place to stay.
Hill and his team decided to raise funds for the project. Jim Murray, the team's general manager, called a friend who worked on McDonald's advertising and suggested the team take part in the next promotional push. It just happened to be St. Patrick's Day.
Rogers Merchandising in Chicago created the drink, with James Byrne, the executive artist at the firm, using a family recipe for the shake.
H/T: Refinery29.com.]]>
Here's to you and your friends and family.
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
May those who love us love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.
The reason the Irish are always fighting each other
Is they have no other worthy opponents.
May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.
May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.
Here's to a fellow who smiles
When life runs along like a song.
And here's to the lad who can smile
When everything goes dead wrong.
May the Good Lord take a liking to you,
... but not too soon!
As you slide down the banister of life,
May the splinters never point the wrong way.
An old Irish recipe for longevity:
Leave the table hungry.
Leave the bed sleepy.
Leave the table thirsty.
Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
If you're enough lucky to be Irish...
You're lucky enough!
Tis better to buy a small bouquet
And give to your friend this very day,
Than a bushel of roses white and red
To lay on his coffin after he's dead.
May the blessings of each day
Be the blessings you need most.
Life is like a cup of tea,
it's all in how you make it!
We cannot share this sorrow
If we haven't grieved a while.
Nor can we feel another's joy
Until we've learned to smile.
I complained that I had no shoes
Until I met a man who had no feet.
It's easy to be pleasant when life flows by like a song.
But the man worth while is the one who can smile
When everything goes dead wrong.
For the test of the heart is trouble
And it always comes with years.
And the smile that is worth the praises of earth
Is the smile that shines through the tears.
What is Irish diplomacy?
It's the ability to tell a man to go to hell,
So that he will look forward to making the trip.
St. Patrick was a gentleman
Who through strategy and stealth
Drove all the snakes from Ireland.
Here's toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good St. Patrick
And see all those snakes again.
May the enemies of Ireland never meet a friend.
An Irish method for tackling problems:
There comes a time when you must take the bull
By the tail and face the situation squarely.
May the leprechauns be near you,
To spread luck along your way.
And may all the Irish angels,
Smile upon you St. Patrick's Day.
May the joys of today
Be those of tomorrow.
The goblets of life
Hold no dregs of sorrow.
May the saddest day of your future be no worse
Than the happiest day of your past.
Health and a long life to you.
Land without rent to you.
A child every year to you.
And if you can't go to heaven,
May you at least die in Ireland.
May you have:
No frost on your spuds,
No worms on your cabbage.
May your goat give plenty of milk.
And if you inherit a donkey,
May she be in foal.
May you live long,
Die happy,
And rate a mansion in heaven.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
May the luck of the Irish possess you.
May the devil fly off with your worries.
May God bless you forever and ever.
Ireland, sir, for good or evil,
No other place under Heaven.
And no man can touch its sod
Or breathe its air without becoming
Better or worse.
There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish
And those who wish they were.
You're not as young as you used to be.
You're not as old as you're going to be.
So watch it!
Do not resent growing old.
Many are denied the privilege.
Murphy's Law:
Nothing is as easy as it looks.
Everything takes longer than you expect.
And if anything can go wrong,
It will at the worst possible moment.
Here's to you and yours
And to mine and ours.
And if mine and ours
Ever come across to you and yours,
I hope you and yours will do
As much for mine and ours
As mine and ours have done
For you and yours!
May the most you wish for
Be the least you get.
May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.
Grant me a sense of humor, Lord,
The saving grace to see a joke,
To win some happiness from life,
And pass it on to other folk.
Ireland, it's the one place on earth
That heaven has kissed
With melody, mirth,
And meadow and mist.
May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.
May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks.
May your heart be as light as a song.
May each day bring you bright happy hours,
That stay with you all year long.
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
May your heart be warm and happy
With the lilt of Irish laughter
Every day in every way
And forever and ever after.
Now sweetly lies old Ireland
Emerald green beyond the foam,
Awakening sweet memories,
Calling the heart back home.
May the blessings of light be upon you,
Light without and light within.
And in all your comings and goings,
May you ever have a kindly greeting
From them you meet along the road.
May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus, too.
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.
Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
And quick to make friends.
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May the face of every good news
And the back of every bad news
Be toward us.
Like the goodness of the five loaves and two fishes,
Which God divided among the five thousand men,
May the blessing of the King who so divided
Be upon our share of this common meal.
May you have food and raiment,
A soft pillow for your head,
May you be forty years in heaven
Before the devil knows you're dead.
The health of all Ireland
and of County Mayo,
And when that much is dead,
may we still be on the go.
From the County of Meath,
the health of the hag.
Not of her but her drink
is the reason we brag.
Your health one and all,
from one wall to the other,
And you outside there
speak up, brother!
May the strength of three be in your journey.
May peace and plenty be the first
To lift the latch on your door,
And happiness be guided to your home
By the candle of Christmas.
May your right hand always
Be stretched out in friendship
And never in want.
May there be a fox on your fishing hook
And a hare on your bait
And may you kill no fish
Until St. Brigid's Day.
May you live all the days of your life.
– Jonathan Swift
May the grass grow long on the road to hell for want of use.
May there be a generation of children
On the children of your children.
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door
Here's that we may always have
A clean shirt
A clean conscience
And a punt in our pocket.
May you live to be a hundred years,
With one extra year to repent!
May I see you gray
And combing your grandchildren's hair.
May the Lord keep you in His hand
And never close His fist too tight.
May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
Mothers [fathers] hold their children's hands for just a little while...
And their hearts forever.
May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.
"It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow
than to spend tonight like there's no money."
-P.J. O'Rourke
Here's to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one.
A pretty girl and an honest one.
A cold beer-and another one!
May the grass grow long on the road to Hell for want of use.
Here's health to your enemies' enemies!
May you have the hindsight to know where you've been
the foresight to know where you're going
and the insight to know when you're going too far.
Health and a long life to you.
Land without rent to you.
A child every year to you.
And if you can't go to heaven,
May you at least die in Ireland.
Bless you and yours
As well as the cottage you live in.
May the roof overhead be well thatched
And those inside be well matched.
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you
May you always come more than you go.
Here's to you, as good as you are.
Here's to me as bad as I am.
As good as you are and as bad as I am,
I'm as good as you are, as bad as I am.
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
a full moon on a dark night,
and a smooth road all the way to your door.
May you be poor in misfortune,
rich in blessings,
slow to make enemies,
quick to make friends.
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
may you know nothing but happiness
from this day forward.
A Merry Christmas this December
To a lot of folks I don't remember.
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.
May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the
devil knows you're dead.
Bottoms up or bottoms down,
Either way no one will frown.
-Mike Anderson
May the leprechauns dance over your bed and bring you sweet dreams.
Experience is the comb that life gives a bald man.
May the wind always be at your back
May you be at the gates of heaven an hour before the devil knows your dead!
Surely, a fine husband is he that
flinches at the mere raisin' of his
wife's fair hand.
– P. Ohmann
Here's to you and here's to me.
May we never disagree.
But should we start to fight and 'cuss,
Here's to me.
– Frank Masterson
Here's to it and for it and do it again.
For those that get to it
And refuse to do it,
May never get to it
To do it again.
There are good ships and there are wood ships,
the ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships,
and may they always be.
O b'ido hocai, is deoch deas e sin
– Donaill Mac Bruan
Good health, good life, good beer!
– Ed Quigley
May the most you wish for is the least you get!
– Jay O Brain
Here's to our wives,
and here's to our sweethearts,
may the two never meet!
May the road rise up before you,
and the wind be always at your back,
and the good Lord hold you in the hollow of his hands.
Every man is sociable until a cow invades his garden
May you always have money in your pocket
a woman to love
and a smile on your face.
May those who love us, love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles.
So we'll know them by their limping.
May you have length with your days,
and strength with your step,
and may each season have a reason
to celebrate your faith in mankind!
To live above with the Saints we love,
Ah, that is the purest glory.
To live below with the Saints we know,
Ah, that is another story.
May the wind you break always blow down wind.
Always remember that hindsight is the best insight to foresight.
May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty!
May all your troubles be little ones
and all your little ones be trouble free.
The words that I've said I meant when I spoke
and remember my words of wisdom
feck'em if you can't take a joke.
-Brian O'Toole
Perfection is something that cannot be achieved,
it is something that we strive for.
-Jara McKee
A man's best friend is his mother until he meets his wife.
Here's to Hell!
May the stay there be as fun as the way there!
May there be spring enough in your life
to outlast the winters;
May there be guitars (and drums) enough
to lift your spirits whenever you need it;
May you be gentle enough to comfort those who are hurting,
But revolutionary enough to bring heaven to those who need it now.
May there always be a leprechaun near you
to bring out laughter and dance and the child in you.
And may God always have room enough for you in the palm of his hand!
– Donated by Gregory Hicks
May all your ups and downs be under the sheets.
– Patrick Ryan
A boy may kiss his girl goodbye,
The sun may kiss the butterfly,
The wine may kiss the crystal glass,
And you, my friend, may kiss my ass.
Place the grated raw potatoes in a clean cloth and twist to remove excess moisture.
Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder.
Combine flour mixture into raw potatoes, mashed potatoes, and eggs.
Add enough mix to make a batter.
Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat and add butter or oil.
Drop potato batter by the tablespoon into the hot pan.
Brown on both sides (about 4 minutes per side).
Butter each boxty and serve hot with or without sugar.
Yield: about 4 servings
*Originally published in March 2014.]]>
'Slán go deo' means 'goodbye for ever'.
Read more: Historic Irish blessings for you and your loved ones
*Originally published in 2013.]]>
We've put together the top ten recipes as chosen by IrishCentral readers. Although some of them, such as corned beef and cabbage and stew, are no-brainers, the IrishCentral readers went a little off script with spring rolls and pasta bakes making it into their top Irish recipes list.
Just click on the title to view the simple recipes. Knock them together, sit down and enjoy them with your friends and family.
1. Corned Beef and Cabbage
Although in Ireland we opt for bacon rather than corned beef, when the Irish arrived to New York there was none to be found. The Jewish butchers substituted the bacon for corned beef and low and behold the tradition stuck.
2. Shepherd's Pie
As we've said before, this is the best Irish comfort food going and it's sure to put a smile on the face of any Irish person you know.
3. Corned Beef and Cabbage Pasta Bake
All right, so the IrishCentral readers liked a pasta bake out of all the hundreds of recipes on this site, but it might just be their sensible streak showing. After you've cooked for all your friends, cousins and extended family, you're bound to be left with a pile of left-overs.
What to do, what to do! Pasta!
4. Potatoes treats
What Irish person doesn't like potatoes!? But it seems that the Irish palate is getting a little more sophisticated. Above Colcannon and Boxty, IrishCentral readers have voted "Potato cheesy ale and cheddar colcannon" and "Bacon and cheese quiche with potato crust" their top potato treats.
5. Corned Beef and Cabbage Spring Rolls
Chef Michael Gilligan came up with this one and it really took off. He also does a very good job at explaining the place of corned beef and cabbage in the Irish diet. Although it's Irish meets Chinese food it seems to us like this would really work.
6. Irish Stew with Guinness
Meat? Check. Vegetables? Check. Guinness? Check. What's not to like about this delicious, nurturing Irish meal.
7. Hearty St. Patrick's Day Sandwich
So this is essentially an Italian meal but it seems the color scheme alone was enough to entice you guys. It's also a smart move to have a nice big breakfast before a day of revelery.
8. Traditional Irish Butter Shortbread Cheesecake
No one makes cheesecake like an Irish mammy and this recipe replicates my own mother's well. This is one to show off at a dinner party or just to make and remember home.
9. Roast Leg of Lamb
This is definitely a favorite Irish Sunday dinner and a perfect big meal for any event at the start of spring. Delicious with mint sauce and roast potatoes. I wholeheartedly agree with the readers choice on this one.
10. Irish Tricolor Cookies
They're green, white, and orange, what more do you want? These are the cookies that will match your face, clothes and flag for St. Patrick's Day, but are fun to eat all year around.
*Originally published in 2013.]]>
A decision on Dunleavy's lawsuit against Lahey, filed in Bronx Supreme Court, is due by the end of this week. The suit claims that a board meeting in June of 2015 that elected Lahey as chairman and removed Dunleavy from many of his parade duties was illegally called, and that all decisions taken by the board since should be rendered null and void. The suit includes several temporary restraining orders Dunleavy's attorney Francis X. Young filed against the board, but that didn't stop Dunleavy – who remains a member of the board -- from attending and actively participating in a board meeting at the Metropolitan Club on June 8.
At the meeting, sources told the Irish Voice, Lahey, president of Quinnipiac University, offered to stand down as chairman, or serve for another one or two year period maximum before leaving the post for good. A vote was taken that included only the board members eligible to vote at the June 2015 meeting that elected Lahey, and the result was 8-2 in favor of him serving as chair for another year. Dunleavy cast his vote in favor, and said he approved of Lahey's chairmanship – a move that would seem at odds with his ongoing lawsuit, and the stance of the Dunleavy-backing Concerned Members of the Affiliated Organizations group which has stridently opposed Lahey and the board.
Another source told the Irish Voice that there's hope Lahey and Dunleavy, long-time friends who worked on the parade for decades together before a rift over LGBT participation on the march split them apart – Dunleavy has been adamantly opposed to gay groups in the parade, while Lahey worked to include them – could settle their differences and work together in the future.
Dunleavy told board members at the meeting he remains upset over accusations that he took money from the parade, findings which were revealed by a forensic audit of the parade's accounts after Lahey assumed the chairmanship last year. Dunleavy said he never took any money from the parade in his decades of leadership, and any funds spent were in relation to parade business only.
The June 8 board meeting attended to several other parade matters, including the re-election to the board of Charles McGuire, Jean Husted and Ryan Hanlon, who were elected at the meeting in June of 2015. Two other members were also elected to the board: Reilly Dundon, a long-time parade volunteer, and Tommy Smyth, the broadcaster who helms the live parade coverage on WNBC each year.]]>
We all know about the beauty of Ireland's landscape; the green fields, the hills, the streams, the magical quiet of the country and the vivacious bustle of the towns, but it's not the only reason the celebrate this March 17.
In a new ad named #BeOriginal, Jameson worked with up-and-coming Irish director, Scott Carthy, to celebrate the characters of Ireland and the character of the country itself.
"We've done alright," it hazards to accept, in a typically not fully patting yourself on the back, Irish kind of way. I mean, even with all our international success, we are still so small geographically that we could fit into Texas eight and a half times over.
"A country our size has no right to be celebrated the world over, but that has never stopped us."
Read more: Apple and Jameson tart recipe
With the attitude of a small island determined to make the world notice, Jameson challenge us to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in our own original way, whoever we are, because anybody willing to break down expectations or to "happily defy the odds" are people that the Irish want to know.
To give a little bit of inspiration, the ad also introduces us to some of those Irish people breaking boundaries and squashing norms. Through the 2-minute film we meet James Earley, a street artist who takes inspiration from generations of stained glass workers in his family tree; the band Jape as they wow crowds all over Ireland; and a pair of road bowlers who couldn't look more different enjoying a game in Waterford.
"You don't have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick's Day," the ad continues. "It's all in your approach.
"Run with it. Show us how it's done."
Challenge accepted.
*Originally published in February 2016.]]>
Although accepted as being active during the latter half of the C5th, St. Patrick's birth and death cannot be dated. Some records claim he came to Ireland in 432AD, and that he died on March 17th 462AD, others that he died in 492AD. The Annals weren't compiled until the mid C6th, and combine stories seen as both historical and mythological, and unfortunately, as such, they cannot be relied upon for accuracy.
Patrick himself wrote two letters which survived into present times, in which he recounts parts of his life. These documents are known as the Confessio and the Epistola, and give us a great insight not only into his life and motivations, but also into life in Ireland at that time.
Patrick was born into a Roman British family in the UK, possibly at Ravenglass in Cumbria. His father was a deacon named Calipurnias.
When he was just sixteen, Patrick was captured by Irish raiders and brought to either Slemish (in Irish Sliabh Mis), a striking mountain near Ballymena in Co. Antrim, or Fochill near Killala Bay (in Irish Cuan Chill Ala), the estuary of the River Moy, where he was sold as a slave, and subsequently worked as a shepherd for six years.
During this time, he seemed to go through some kind of spiritual epiphany, when he came to know God, praying up to a hundred times a day. (I would too, if I thought it might help me escape slavery and find my way back home!) In his Confessio, he claims he heard a voice in a dream instructing him to leave Ireland in a ship that was waiting for him in a port two hundred miles away.
Some say this port was in Wicklow. When he got there, there was indeed a ship about to sail for England, but the crew refused to take him at first. Patrick turned to prayer, which God duly answered, for before he had even finished his devotions, the Captain had a sudden change of heart, and agreed to take him on board.
After three days at sea, they landed, not in another port as expected, but in a strange wilderness where they wandered for twenty eight days without coming across any signs of civilization. At this point, they had run out of food, and the crew asked Patrick to pray to his God to provide for them. Clearly, their own pagan Gods had forsaken them. Patrick readily obliged, and immediately they came across a herd of wild boar. They killed many and feasted for two days, before continuing their journey.
Patrick returned home and devoted himself to Christianity. After a few years, he had a vision in which a man named Victoricus (probably Saint Vitricius, bishop of Rouen) gave him a letter which came from the people of Ireland, begging him to return and teach them the new religion. It was a calling Patrick could not deny.
Returning to Wicklow, Patrick was met with hostility from the locals, and sought refuge off the coast of Skerries, before continuing with his mission.
It is said that he founded his first church at Saul (in Irish Sabhall Phádraig, meaning 'Patrick's Barn') in Co Down. Apparently, strong currents had swept his boat through Stranford Lough and into the mouth of the Slaney River. The local chieftain, Dichu subsequently converted and gave him the barn.
It was here that he was brought when he died, and was buried nearby at Downpatrick. St Patrick's Memorial Church is reputed to be built on the site of his grave.
The Confessio and the Epistola are fascinating, because they seem to relate to some transgression for which Patrick was put on trial. It's not clear exactly what happened, but it is thought that the writing of the Epistola resulted in Patrick writing his Confessio, perhaps whilst awaiting the outcome of his trial.
Apparently, King Ceretic Guletic had taken some Christian Irish converts and sold them into slavery. Enraged, Patrick had tackled the King only to be confronted with ridicule. He therefore wrote the Epistola to Ceretic's warband, effectively excommunicating them all.
This leads to fellow Christians, once thought of as friends, making accusations against him which are not explicit in the letter, although he writes that he gave back all the gifts given him by wealthy women, that he did not take payment for all the baptisms he made although he made many thousands, or for ordaining priests, and that he himself paid for all the gifts given to the kings and judges.
These gifts may have been bribes intended to buy him the freedom to bring his religion to the masses. In any case, this protestation of innocence and denial of receiving gifts and money smacks of financial misdemeanour. Perhaps St. Patrick wasn't quite as saintly as once thought.
As well as his own letters, his life was recorded by two late C7th writers, Tírechán, and Muirchiu moccu Macthenni. Both drew upon the earlier lost Book of Ultán, written most probably by Ultan of Ardbraccan, who was Tírechán's foster-father.
Interestingly, they portray quite a different figure from the good saintly character we have been led to believe. They claim he was something of a tempestuous warrior, attacking druids and their idols, and cursing kings and their kingdoms. This ties in with some of the myths about him, which do not describe a peaceful benevolent man of God, but rather a zealous tyrant.
They also intimate that he targeted the conversion of females, preferably those of royal status and wealthy noblewomen, accepting gifts from them, and persuading them to become nuns and found religious orders, much to the chagrin of their families. He also targeted slaves and the poor, who were only too eager to find a way out of the drudgery and hardship of their lives.
There are many stories and legends in which St. Patrick makes an appearance. He must have been a very busy man indeed, if he truly was involved in all the events he is credited with.
Most famously, Patrick is said to be responsible for driving all serpents from Ireland. This is an interesting story, because, according to naturalist Nigel Monaghan, keeper of natural history at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, "at no time has there ever been any suggestion of snakes in Ireland, so [there was] nothing for St. Patrick to banish." He should know, having searched extensively through Irish fossil collections and records.
In the absence of a reptile population, this has been explained as a reference to ridding Irish shores of the Druids, who were known to revere the serpent, and the circle of life it represented. If he was as war-like as Tírechán and Miurchu claim, perhaps this story disguised an ugly truth, a battle or even a massacre... it would not be the first time in history that Christians waged holy war.
Closer to home, for me, is the story of Patrick saving the Irish from the worship of Crom Cruach on the plain of Magh Slecht in Co. Cavan. This is a grisly story involving the annual sacrifice of the nations every first-born child by smashing their heads on the idol stone known as the Killycluggin Stone, and sprinkling the blood around the stone circle in return for a good crop. Fortunately, Patrick showed up, smashed the stone, and banished the devil which flew out of it to hell.
As this was happening, 'three quarters of the men of Ireland' (the High King's warband), and the High King Tigernmas himself, were mysteriously slaughtered as they knelt in their devotions, allegedly by their own god, according to Christian observers. Sounds like the work of an army sweeping down upon them, to me.
We already know how sacred the number three was to the ancient pagans; it is a pattern seen repeated over and over again in all things considered important and powerful to them, such as the maiden-mother-crone aspect of certain female Irish deities, birth-life-death, mind-body-spirit, and so on. The pagans had long considered the shamrock as a sacred symbol, its three heart-shaped green leaves representing rebirth and the cycle of life.
It comes as no surprise, then, that Patrick should choose to use it to illustrate the Christian Holy Trinity. Clearly, it was a symbol the pagans resisted giving up, and the church was very clever at adopting the pagan customs they couldn't destroy, and using them to illustrate their own beliefs.
Today, there are many places in Ireland which still bear Patrick's name, or legacy. Croagh Patrick is a mountain in Co Mayo where he was said to have fasted for the forty days and nights of Lent before vanquishing the serpents of Ireland. At 764m, it is the third highest mountain in the county.
In pre-Christian times, it was called Cruachán Aigle, although it is not known what this means. Once the site of pagan pilgrimage for the summer solstice, it is now climbed by thousands of people every year on the last Sunday in July, some of them bare-foot or even on their knees, in honour of the Saint. There is a little chapel on the summit where mass is said. Sadly, the side of the mountain has been heavily eroded by the passage of so many feet.
The Hill of Slane stands 158m high in Co. Meath, and is said to be the burial site of Fir Bolg king Sláine mac Dela. A mound is located there, along with two standing stones which are all that remain of a pagan site. There are various other ancient buildings on the hill, including the remains of a church or abbey. From here the Hill of Tara can clearly be seen, and it was here that St Patrick was said to have lit a Paschal fire in defiance of the High King Laoire.
Patrick well understood the ancient sacred customs of the fire festivals; he knew that all fires across the land must be extinguished while the need-fire was kindled, and he knew that his fire on Slane would be easily seen by the King at Tara. The King demanded the fire was put out, but the story goes that even the Druids with all their magical powers were unable to extinguish it.
In the end, the King acquiesced to the Saint's higher power, and allowed him to continue his missionary work, although he did not convert himself. Surprisingly, the King didn't punish him for his inflammatory and disrespectful act; perhaps he didn't see the new religion as a threat. Patrick does make mention in his letters that he was once imprisoned for sixty days, but does not say what for, when or by whom; he also claims he was often beaten and robbed.
Curiously, Patrick has never formally been canonised by the Pope, and therefore is not actually recognised as a saint by some. In the early years of Christianity, saints were made on a local level by a local church very soon after their death... which perhaps explains why there are so many in Ireland.
St. Patrick's life is one of semi-historic, semi-mythological proportions. As with much of Ireland's early past, it is impossible to pull apart fact and myth. There is no doubt however, that he made a huge and lasting impact on the people of this land.
*Ali Isaac lives in beautiful rural Co. Cavan in Ireland, and is the author of two books based on Irish mythology, "Conor Kelly and The Four Treasures of Eirean," and "Conor Kelly and The Fenian King." Ali regularly posts on topics of Irish interest on her blog, www.aliisaacstoryteller.com.
* Originally published in November 2015.
Normally great musicians, they can play a variety of instruments including the tin whistle, the fiddle and the harp.
The online survey was conducted ahead of the annual National Leprechaun Hunt in County Louth, in aid of Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin and local charities.
The research concluded that due to the current downturn, and the scarcity of gold, many leprechauns were forced to emigrate.
Bearing testament to this fact, leprechauns are protected under EU law thanks to the people of Carlingford, Co. Louth.
Learn the story of the Carlingford leprechaun in the video below:]]>
Hunter said he would rule within 30 days after Dunleavy's attorney Francis X. Young and Lahey's counsel Mitch Mandell presented vastly different takes on the controversy that has engulfed the parade for the past year. Young argued that Dunleavy provided 23 years of selfless service to the parade, was ousted at an illegal board meeting last June because of Lahey's desire to "corporatize" and "monetize" the parade, and far from stealing money using the parade's American Express card, Dunleavy actually saved the march millions of dollars because the cash-strapped U.S. Department of Defense willingly covered $700,000 in annual travel expenses incurred by military participants in the parade due to their "outstanding" relationship with Dunleavy.
Mandell said Dunleavy's case, filed last October with various motions since that time, has no basis in fact because parade bylaws were never broken, and that Dunleavy has repeatedly failed to justify his expenditures using parade funds – including multiple charges for the male enhancement pill Triverex – that were subject to an investigation by the New York State Attorney General's office.
After Hunter began the session by asking, "What is this all about?", Young outlined Dunleavy's case against Lahey, president of Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, a parade grand marshal in 1997, and a long-time member of the parade's board.
The crux of the case, Young said, rests in the June 30, 2015 board meeting called by Lahey while Dunleavy was in Ireland. The participants voted to elect Lahey to chairman of the board and add three additional members – even though, Young said, they were reassured that Dunleavy's position and duties as parade chairman wouldn't change.
The meeting, Young said, went against existing bylaws and was "illegally called" because "only two people are allowed to call a meeting of the board under the bylaws" – Dunleavy and board member John O'Connor.
"We're claiming that the bylaws were broken in a big and bad way," Young said, alleging that Lahey called the meeting because Dunleavy was negotiating with the WPIX network to broadcast the 2016 parade for free – a change that would jeopardize the parade's long-standing deal with WNBC, which provided live coverage at a price of $400,000 annually, with the parade covering costs and earning income through advertising sponsorships.
Frank Comerford, an executive at WNBC's parent NBCUniversal, grand marshal of the parade in 2012 and a board member, is also named in the lawsuit as a defendant by Dunleavy, who initially brought Comerford into the parade fold but was angered when the network's LGBT group, OUT@NBCUniversal, became the first gay group to march in the parade in 2015.
"He [Dunleavy] went out to find someone to [broadcast] cheaper," said Young. "He found WPIX who would do it for free … Within a week Dr. Lahey went to the Irish newspapers in New York City and proclaimed that Mr. Dunleavy was out and he was in. With that, WPIX backed off because…they said, now we're confused, we were about to enter a contract, we see Mr. Dunleavy has been sidelined."
Mandell refuted Young's take on WPIX's position on the parade, pointing out that a network executive provided a sworn affidavit stating that "they had not made a final offer to broadcast the parade."
Mandell also disputed Dunleavy's timeline of events with regard to WPIX. Dunleavy's former assistant Carla Chadwick, he pointed out, "submitted an affidavit in August [stating] WPIX had no interest…plaintiff alleges in September that Dunleavy went to the board and said he had a great final offer from WPIX."
Dunleavy's charge that Lahey and Comerford are colluding to keep the parade on WNBC is also bogus, Mandell said, given Comerford's long-time membership of the board. "Mr. Comerford…has been on the board for 20 years and NBC broadcast the parade for 20 years without any kind of suggestion [of conflict]," Mandell said "It should have been made 20 years ago."
Young said that after Lahey "pulled off [his] coup" and claimed leadership of the parade board, he alleged to the Attorney General's office that Dunleavy, Chadwick and Mike Cassels, a former member of the board who was removed last September after he double-billed the parade for expenses (and paid back the disputed $1,752.86), had "stolen" parade money.
"These were very, very serious charges. They were frivolous charges," Young said. "As part of [Lahey's] way to consolidate power he was using the media. That wasn't enough. He went to the Attorney General."
Young says he offered the Attorney General's office the chance to depose Dunleavy, Cassels and Chadwick, "because they are being held out in the community as thieves," he added. "Months of investigation went by and nothing happened. Eventually the day before St. Patrick's Day the Attorney General announced there was nothing to the allegations Dr. Lahey had made."
Mandell strongly disagreed. "When Mr. Dunleavy was asked to supply support for various charges that were incurred…he provided no such support. [The board] determined that they had to be reported to protect themselves, especially under the new rules for not for profits, and so they did that.
"The Attorney General's office – and I spoke to the director of the Charities Bureau – said that because the board has taken the action it took in respect to Mr. Dunleavy – it took away his ability to use the Amex card, and removed him from the ability to spend money on behalf of the corporation – they decided not to investigate.
"The Attorney General's office doesn't ever vindicate. They walk away."
Mandell said there is a "very clear reason" why the Attorney General wouldn't absolve Dunleavy, given the nature of expenses incurred on the parade account – "one category is trips taken by Mr. Dunleavy, Mr. Cassels and Ms. Chadwick, and the other is that Mr. Dunleavy used the corporation's Amex card to buy male enhancement drugs," Mandell stated.
"It is highly unlikely – and I don't pretend to speak for the Attorney General's office – but it is highly unlikely with those charges on the corporate card, that the Attorney General's office actually came out and vindicated Mr. Dunleavy. They did nothing of the sort."
Young did not address the male enhancement pill expenditures – last year the parade's auditors discovered that Dunleavy's made five charges of $42.94 each on the parade's Amex card in 2012 and 2013 for the enhancement supplement Triverex – but argued that many of the bills incurred by Dunleavy, Cassels and Chadwick stemmed from visits to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of the U.S. military who march in the parade.
"They were invited down there by the joint chiefs of staff, the four star general every year to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and it became a wonderful relationship to the point where all three branches of the military would come up to the parade every year because of the work of these three people who were accused of going down there and spending this money," said Young in justifying the five-figure travel expenses incurred.
He added that the trips taken by Dunleavy, Cassels and Chadwick were cheap at the price, given information he "learned" about the U.S. government which could have charged the parade millions in expenses.
"The parade was supposed to reimburse the government $700,000 a year for transportation and lodging, and the government was so thrilled with the way John Dunleavy ran the parade that they waived that," Young said of the Department of Defense, which operates under tightening budget constraints each year.
The U.S. military command, Young added, is so inflamed by "what John Lahey did to John Dunleavy, what he did to Carla Chadwick, what he did to Mike Cassels, they did not come up," to the parade this year.
"The percentage of people who came up was minimal," Young said. "There was a reviewing stand on Fifth Avenue that is reserved for the military and it was basically empty…as long as Dr. Lahey remains chairman, those people are not coming back."
The nearly 40 minute hearing on Thursday was attended by Dunleavy and a number of supporters, including John Tully, the attorney who was elected last November to serve – with Dunleavy's blessing – as the new chairman of the board's Parade and Celebration Committee, and John Manning, who has led the efforts on behalf of the parade's affiliated organizations to ensure their continued representation. Also at the hearing were Chadwick and Cassels, who Young referred to as a fifth generation parade volunteer who he wants to "get back on the board."
Young said the parade management is "out of control" and that Dunleavy and his "blue collar" supporters are "begging the court to take some action to get this parade back to where it was before." He also alleged that Lahey is attempting to "stack the board" with favorable members with his recent offer to the parade's main affiliates of board membership.
Mandell pointed out that this year's parade was "popularly considered by many to be the greatest St. Patrick's Day parade in history, the largest participation in history…it was the first parade that allowed two gay groups to march. It was the first parade in a very long time that the mayor of New York marched," he said.
Mandell added that Dunleavy, a strident opponent of gay groups taking part in the parade, would "essentially bring the parade back in time to a day where gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual groups were forbidden from marching…that would be the end result."]]>
The well-attended event was called by John Tully, who replaced Dunleavy as committee chair last November along with a new slate of officers who remain at odds with the parade's overseeing board of directors headed by Dr. John Lahey, president of Quinnipiac University. The board organized this year's parade, and the leadership issue will be hashed out in Bronx Supreme Court on Thursday, May 26, when a lawsuit brought by Dunleavy against Lahey and board member Frank Comerford of NBC is scheduled to be heard.
Dunleavy spoke at Thursday's meeting for nearly 15 minutes, and expressed fury at being accused of misappropriating parade funds for personal expenses – a discovery made during a forensic audit of parade finances last year by the parade's accounting firm.
"That's a terrible thing to tell anybody or accuse anybody of without any verification," said Dunleavy in his remarks which were given to the Irish Voice via audiotape from several sources.
"Let me tell you something, my family, my children that were born here, what a thing to do to anybody after 24 years of dedication to this St. Patrick's Day parade. I never took a dime from nobody in my life and I have never intention of doing it and I never stole nothing from anybody."
Last November the parade's board of directors notified the New York State Attorney General's office about the audit's findings to comply with rules governing 501 (c) 3 non-profits in New York State. The office declined to pursue the matter.
Lahey attended the meeting not in his capacity as board chairman but rather as a representative of Quinnipiac, an affiliated organization of the parade. Also at the meeting was Frank McGreal, a long-time member of the parade leadership who was promoted to chief administrative officer at a board meeting last month.
Dunleavy gave a defiant and at times rambling speech in which he defended his 44 years of service to the parade, which he said included building up its finances which stood at $400 in the bank when he took over as chairman, cleaning up the selection of the grand marshal, working with the U.S. military and regularly protesting outside the British Consulate among other things.
"I see a lot of people around. They have a lot to say and I've asked them what 842 Third Avenue is," said Dunleavy, referring to the consulate. "They couldn't tell you where it is or what office is there. I'll tell you what it is. I wore out a couple of pair of shoes walking up and down in front of it!"
Dunleavy, who has steadfastly opposed a gay group taking part in the parade, said he had planned on stepping down from his chairmanship of the board's Parade and Celebration Committee after this year's march, "but some people abused that situation," he said.
"I am deeply disappointed that I've been stabbed in the back by so many people. I know there's somebody back there, I know he has a tape recorder and what we are saying here tonight will appear in the paper tomorrow … you're not dealing with totally honest people."
Lahey, who sat towards the back of the room with McGreal (neither of whom spoke to the Irish Voice about the meeting or provided audio), defended his board's actions and stressed that the parade would always be first and foremost in honor of St. Patrick, refuting claims that the board wants to secularize the march. McGreal listened as one attendee, Mike Cassels, said that his father, the late Frank McGreal Senior, who was also involved in the march, would be upset by the parade's current state of affairs.
Cassels is a long-time Dunleavy loyalist and former member of the parade's board of directors who was removed from the position last year after the forensic audit showed that he double-billed the parade for expenses. He reimbursed the parade for $1,752.86 at the September board meeting before his removal.
Cassels spoke for several minutes and called this year's march "an atrocity."
"Unfortunately I no longer have any kind of official part with the parade committee," Cassels said. "This year I can say I was very proud not to have. Why? Formation. A disgrace."
Cassels was criticized by some in the audience after he launched an attack on Hilary Beirne, the board member and executive secretary of the parade who has been involved with its organization for several years.
"This year the parade was a logistic nightmare, yet Mr. Beirne says he's a logistic expert … I think a three-year-old has better grammar than Mr. Beirne. He still cannot even spell his name," Cassels said before some in the crowd chided him for getting personal.
"It is personal. It's the truth," replied Cassels, who also criticized the St. Patrick's Foundation founded in 2012 by Beirne and Sean Lane of JP Morgan to raise funds for the march, with the blessing and support of Dunleavy.
"The parade would not allow certain groups, certain individuals to be included, excluded. [The foundation] is very upset. That's a shame…why is your parade being taken over or dictated by these certain organizations?" Cassels asked.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who marched in this year's parade for the first time after the board approved the admission of an Irish gay group, the Lavender and Green Alliance, for the first time, came in for criticism from some of the attendees. "Take him out of City Hall. He's is the number one Catholic bigot in the country…sooner we do it the better," said one male.
Ed Foy of AOH Division 1 in Manhattan stood up and told Lahey that if he felt his "sensitivity training as president of Quinnipiac College (sic) that you cannot go against what you are teaching or what you may or may not believe in, we as Irish Catholics and the cardinal say that we are entitled to our beliefs. We do not want to have a Halloween party on Fifth Avenue. We celebrate our Catholicism."
Many of those at the meeting expressed frustration at the coverage of the parade by WNBC, and the position of the county organizations in the line of march. One male denounced what he called the infiltration of "communism" and "secularism" in the parade, and read a piece that was handed out to delegates authored by Cardinal Timothy Dolan in March titled "Honoring St. Patrick."
The meeting's agenda sheet given to attendees called the board headed by Lahey "self-perpetuating." The board, said the sheet, refused to allow the Parade and Celebration Committee headed by Tully to run this year's march, instead handing the reins to Beirne and McGreal.
"In the interest of a peaceful 2016 parade, the committee chose not to challenge the board's decision, but rather preserve all issues for resolution after the parade," the sheet said.
Brendan Fay and Tarlach Mac Niallais of the Lavender and Green Alliance, now an affiliated marching group of the parade, attended the meeting. Both spoke and were warmly received, Fay told the Irish Voice.
"Lavender and Green Alliance appreciated being welcomed as an official affiliated group of the parade. We welcomed the opportunity to express ourselves," Fay told the Irish Voice. (Both Fay and Mac Niallais addressed the attendees.)
"We gave thanks to the board and committee, but especially thanked the people in the Irish community, in particular the county organizations that extended a hand of welcome to us in the 2016 parade. I reminded people that we are their brothers and sisters, their sons and daughters. We are their family, and we are Irish."
Fay said Lavender and Green looks forward to taking part in future marches. "There's no going back now and we are very happy about that," he added.
However, Fay and Mac Niallais were "taken aback" by some of the views expressed by the attendees.
"The personal attacks on Frank McGreal and Hilary Beirne were uncalled for, as was the remark implying that our inclusion in the parade was turning it into a Halloween party," said Fay.
"It's amazing because some people don't realize that many of our members are Catholics. Our inclusion the parade was welcomed by Cardinal Dolan.
"The meeting," Fay added, "was a reminder of how important it is for us to be visible in our community, to be out and open and to challenge prejudice."
One representative of a county organization told the Irish Voice that the meeting was "well run by Mr. Tully, as he gave everybody the chance to talk," and that the "chance for the affiliates to air their issues was very useful."
"Most of us feel like it was Dunleavy's time to go," said the representative. "But there's no denying the little guy in the parade, the groups, are feeling disenfranchised. I'm hopeful that all the sides can soon come to an agreement and we can all move on."]]>
As reported in last week's Irish Voice, Lahey sent a letter to the parade's affiliated organizations on April 25, offering solutions to the impasse between the board and the affiliate groups that are angered at what they see as their diminished role in the direction and organizing of the parade.
In the letter, Lahey said that board, in its post-parade meeting last month, briefly discussed a succession plan, "a topic we will return to at our next meeting," he wrote.
"With the completion of the 2016 parade, I indicated I am happy to step down as chairman at any time a majority of the Board of Directors wants to elect a new chairman. Also, I informed the board that under no circumstances would I be willing to continue serving as chairman beyond the 2018 parade.
"The board was asked to give consideration prior to our next meeting to possible candidates we might consider for the vacant position of vice chairman of the board and along with it, possible candidates for our next chairman."
Read more: NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade chair seeks compromise and cooperation
With regard to the affiliates, who will hold their own meeting on parade matters this Thursday evening, May 5, Lahey said the board discussed "how best to strengthen the role of the affiliated organizations in the governance structure of the parade.
"No vote or action was taken with respect to this topic, although I can report that the board expressed overwhelming support for allowing the affiliated organizations to decide for themselves their preferred structure between the current one or an alternative."
Lahey offered two choices for the affiliates: to keep the parade committee they elected last November headed by John Tully which could work with the board on next year's march, or approve four new members of the board of directors who would be the presidents of the AOH, the Ladies AOH, the United Irish Counties and the Grand Council of Emerald Societies.
The four new board members would be "full voting members just like all the other board members," Lahey wrote.
"When these groups periodically elect new officers the newly elected president would replace the former president on the board, and in the case of the AOH and Ladies AOH, it would be their call as to whether they prefer their representative to be the president of their national, state or local entity."
Lahey said that in his last meeting with Tully he discussed the possibility of naming the four new board members, and asked Tully to reach out to the current presidents for their thoughts.
At the board of directors meeting last month, Lahey and the board praised the affiliates and parade volunteers, he wrote.
"Several board members commented that thanks to this collective effort we all enjoyed one of our best parades ever."]]>
There also were 1.1 million views on the official Facebook page of the largest celebration of Irish culture and values, facebook.com/nycstpatricksdayparade, the release noted.
In addition to the Facebook views – 10 times higher than last year – there were 165,000 visits to www.nycstpatricksparade.org, the official website of the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade, with continuous updates from the parade March 17. There also were four million Snapchats, 241,000 Twitter impressions and extensive activity on Periscope and other social media platforms.
An estimated 200,000 people marched up Fifth Avenue on St. Patrick's Day, continuing the tradition of New York City hosting the largest celebration of St. Patrick and of Irish values and culture in the world. More than one million people lined Fifth Avenue on March 17.
WNBC-TV 4 reports 586,000 viewers watched the live parade broadcast from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for the first time ever, millions of viewers in Ireland and the United Kingdom were able to watch the parade live on IRISH TV.
Besides the live four-hour broadcast, millions of readers and viewers read, heard or saw media accounts of the historic parade, featuring Senator George Mitchell, the author of the historic Northern Ireland peace accord, as grand marshal.
"St. Patrick, our patron saint and someone who knew the importance of spreading the message, would be proud of our dedicated volunteers and the work they did updating our social media platforms," said St. Patrick's Day Parade Board Chairman John Lahey said.
The volunteers include Thomas Heaney, Virginia Byrne, Ken Kraetzer, David Altman, Bridget O'Brien and Scott Prestopino.
"Thanks also to the hard work of the hundreds of volunteers who spent so many hours planning for the parade and them making sure it went off so smoothly and to the dedicated members of the parade Board of Directors, in particular our chief operating officers Hilary Beirne and Frank McGreal," Lahey added.
Brother John Aherne led the gathering in prayer before dancing up a storm on a piece of wood apparently laid out beforehand for the presentation. His captivated audience clapped and cheered on the remarkable dancing friar.
Br. John concluded his performance by wishing everyone a happy St Patrick's Day.
Watch Br. John tear up the floor in the video below:]]>
Science has finally figured out just why Guinness is so unlike other brews in that respect. Lucky members of the Royal Society of Chemistry investigated a selection of pints last week in London.
They used a super-fast camera that magnified the bubbles to 1000 percent of their normal size and zoomed in on their behavior.
They found that the bubbles rose rapidly at the center of the glass, pulling the surrounding liquid with them and setting up a circulating current, while the outlying bubbles moved downwards.
Senior researcher Dr Andrew Alexander, who lectures in chemical physics at the University of Edinburgh, said he had wanted to do this experiment since drinking Guinness as a student.
''I'd wanted to try and capture the bubbles going down as I had obviously wondered whether it really did happen, having drunk a few Guinness during my time at university, or whether it was an optical illusion created by the waves in the drink that don't contain any bubbles. Nobody had carried out the experiment before.
''To capture the image, we had a camera which uses 4,500 frames a second and a zoom lens of times 10. When we saw the bubbles really were going down, I was immeasurably happy.
''We then filmed it as a colleague pointed out that people might have said all we did was turn the photos upside down. But it's true. The circulation cells in the glass provide the same effect like you see in a tornado.''
A spokesman for the RSC said: ''Guinness is good for this experiment as the bubbles are small, due to being released at high pressure by the widget and therefore easily pushed around.
''The gas in the bubbles is also important. In lager beers, the gas is carbon dioxide which is more easily dissolved into the liquid. The gas in Guinness bubbles is nitrogen - not so easily dissolved and therefore not prone to grow larger.
''Finally, the contrast between the dark liquid and the light cream bubbles make the bubbles much easier to see. We're pleased to have finally solved this mystery in time for St Patrick's Day when many people will no doubt be enjoying a pint or two.''
Around St. Patrick's Day, we begin to see Irish symbols and colors of green and gold everywhere.
One place in history where you might be surprised to see a green and gold Irish-themed military standard is in the 19th century Mexican Army, but it really happened. St. Patrick's Battalion, a unit of the Mexican Army, was composed of mainly of Irish Catholic immigrants who deserted the U.S. Army and fled to Mexico during the war, which lasted from 1846-48.
The San Patricios, as they were called, were fierce fighters and were instrumental in some of the toughest battles during the war. But why were some of our Irish ancestors in Mexico, and why were they fighting against the U.S. – the very country many of them had immigrated to?
Why did they switch sides?
Very few were official citizens of the U.S. – many were poor Irish immigrants that had left their home country due to famine and poverty. As they arrived in the U.S., many were pressured into joining the army – an offer they often seized when promised a good paycheck and land after the war.
But life wasn't easy anywhere for Irish immigrants at this time in history. Many found U.S. military culture very alienating and were brutally abused by fellow soldiers and superiors who hated Irish Catholics – nativist sentiment was unfortunately strong in the U.S. Army at the time.
On top of that, military life only offered Protestant religious services. Once these Irish immigrants began to learn more about their enemy – Mexico printed pamphlets persuading immigrants to desert the U.S. army – some felt they had more in common with Mexicans than Americans.
Many Mexicans were Catholic, which was important, but it's also likely that the Irish Catholics saw the Mexican struggle against America as similar to their countrymen's struggle against England back home.
Whatever the reason, soldiers began to desert in droves just prior to or early on in the war. A good example is the eventual leader of the San Patricios, John Riley.
John Riley was born in County Galway in the year 1818. His birth record can be found in our Irish Catholic parish baptism records from that year:
Riley immigrated to Canada and eventually made his way down to Michigan, where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the 5th US Infantry Regiment, which was part of the army future President Zachary Taylor commanded during the Mexican American war.
As Taylor's army reached the Rio Grande, many German and Irish immigrants began to defect. The Mexican army had been issuing leaflets promising deserters money, land and promotion. Riley and a group of 48 other Irish immigrants defected around this time, and they manned artillery for Mexico during the siege of Fort Texas in early May 1846.
The group grew in size, joined by other recent, disgruntled and marginalized immigrants – historians estimate the strength of the unit to be as much as 700 members at its peak. Lead by Riley, the San Patricios fought successfully in several battles, but were eventually part of the Mexican Army's defeated forces at the Battle of Churubusco.
Many were killed or escaped with the fleeing Mexicans in the aftermath of this battle, and about 85 were captured by U.S. forces. Riley was wounded during the battle and was among those captured.
The captured San Patricios were put on trial – some claimed they deserted the U.S. Army out of drunkenness (a common defense used for military desertion at the time), others claimed they were coerced by Mexicans who captured them. Most of those charged either did not offer a defense, or their statements weren't recorded.
At his trial, John Riley testified to the terrible discrimination suffered by Irish Catholics in the U.S. Army and cited the general anti-Catholicism in the America as the major reason for the desertion of Irish immigrants. Riley received a lesser sentence than most others in the unit since his defection occurred before the U.S. was formally at war.
Branded with a "D" on his cheek for deserted, Riley was released and actually went on to continue serving in the Mexican Army.
Others were not so lucky. Fifty of the captured San Patricios were executed, most by hanging. Of the 9,000 men who deserted the U.S. Army during the Mexican War, the San Patricios were the only ones that suffered this punishment.
Traitors or heroes?
Early history of the San Patricios from the US perspective labeled the group as traitors, though Mexicans have always viewed the group as heroes who helped Mexico in a time of great need.
Contemporary historians look more objectively upon the San Patricios – most see their desertion as a manifestation and natural result of the anti-immigrant and particularly anti-Catholic sentiments in the United States at the time.
It's interesting to note that Irish expatriates have a well-documented history of fighting wars on behalf of other heavily Catholic nations. Many young men, so-called "Wild Geese," fought in the continental wars of Europe for Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries. Irish fighters have also played important roles in South American wars for independence.
The tale of the St. Patrick's battalion is another example of how difficult life was for many of our Irish immigrant ancestors. Whether they remained in their famine-stricken homeland, toiled in the slums of New York City, or joined the military, it's worth knowing the story of their sacrifice.]]>
Generation after generation of visitors and emigrants from both countries have traveled through Shannon, leading to a strong bond between the US and this region of Ireland.
Emphasizing the benefits of traveling to Shannon, where visitors will position themselves immediately on Ireland's west coast along the Wild Atlantic Way, the group journeyed to both New York and to Boston to spread the good words on the its unique attractions to tourists and businesses alike.
"Our relationship with America has strong and deep ties," said Shannon Group's Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Murphy. "But we don't take that relationship for granted. It's important that we show our appreciation to the thousands of Americans that visit our area each year and we want to highlight the attractions of travel to Shannon Airport and the incredible culture, history and landscape on our doorstep."
The Shannon Group's US trip began in New York where they sponsored the Ireland US Council luncheon on March 16. They were also the guests of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio at the St Patrick's Day breakfast at Gracie Mansion, and attended many other events before joining their countrymen to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade on 5th avenue.
Their visit continued in Boston where an 18-person team of Shannon Airport Police and Fire Service attended the Massachusetts State Senator Linda Forry's breakfast in Boston.
Attending the Irish Network Boston reception at Fenway Park and visiting a number of prominent travel and tour operators in Boston, Shannon Group were special guests of the Boston College Eagles Football Team where they watched team practice and met the Head Coach, Steve Addazio.
Their visit concluded with the Boston St. Patrick's Day parade on March 20.
Shannon Airport has 1.6 million passengers per year traveling through the airport and this figure is rapidly increasing. There are 33 scheduled destinations across the UK, Europe and North America and Shannon continues to grow and develop these routes with its airline partners.
For US visitors, travel to the West of Ireland has never been easier with daily flights from the US to Shannon.
Travel to Shannon airport will leave you right on the doorstep of some of Ireland's most spectacular tourist attractions and natural phenomena from the iconic Cliffs of Moher, to the original Bunratty medieval festival to the rugged landscape of Connemara.
Starting your visit to Ireland in Shannon will also leave you right in the midst of the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way which stretches from the North of Donegal, past Shannon, to the most southerly point of Co Cork.
With a thriving food and bar scene, pretty villages, castles and country manors providing amazing accommodation and leisure activities, it is a tourist's dream vacation, and Shannon airport is the dream way for it to begin.
"Shannon Airport, Ireland's first airport has been called the most 'user friendly' airport in Europe," continued Murphy.
"We pride ourselves in a 'hassle free' travel experience when you visit Shannon and travel through our airport. In 2009 Shannon Airport became the first airport in Europe to have full US Pre-clearance services following the construction of a new US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility and this is a wonderful benefit to American visitors."
Not only is Shannon Airport perfectly located for tourists but for many years is has been at the forefront of economic development in Ireland. In the 1950s the world's first free trade zone opened in Shannon to provide a new business model for US multinational firms to do business with Europe. A pioneering concept at the time, it was the catalyst for an explosion of free trade zones all over the world. The first airport duty free shop was established in Shannon Airport in 1947 and it recently launched an online site.
Shannon's International Aviation Services Center is an aerospace industry cluster with an outstanding list of America's leading names in aviation. The Aviation Services Center offers an ideal location for international aerospace firms with a range of aviation services from maintenance, repair and overhaul to aircraft leasing which is a thriving industry worldwide that originated in Shannon.
Shannon Commercial Properties has a portfolio of business and industrial properties across the Midwest of Ireland. It is one of the largest portfolios of property in Ireland and construction will soon be underway on new state-of-the-art industrial buildings and office spaces.
"Combined with the lowest corporate tax rate in Europe, a highly skilled workforce, proximity to the airport and a flexible and dynamic approach to business, Shannon and the Mid West region is a highly attractive proposition for US multinational companies seeking to locate a base in Europe" said Murphy.
In this significant year – the centenary anniversary of the 1916 Easter rising, Shannon Heritage has established a museum and exhibition center at the GPO in Dublin which will be a key attraction for both Irish and international tourists from March 2016 onwards.
You can find more information on the Shannon area at www.shannonheritage.com or on Shannon airport at www.shannonairport.ie.
Read more: Shannon Airport celebrates 70 years of transatlantic flights in Chicago]]>
At the heart of this recent ugliness is an attempt to exploit the Irish, to make them feel superior to other groups who, you know, just can't get over the ugly injustices of the past.
We begin -- as most dumb things do -- over at Fox News. On St. Patrick's Day, panelists on The Five were discussing the Irish and stereotypes.
When Juan Williams referred to the hardships the Irish had to face, panelist Kimberly Guilfoyle -- herself Irish American, it must be noted -- said: "And the Irish got over it. They don't run around going 'Irish Lives Matter.'"
Great job, Kim! There's not enough division and conflict in this great country, right? Let's get people even more angry by implying that the Irish are so much better than those other groups who go around moaning and complaining.
For the record, a fine argument could be made that the Irish haven't gotten over anything. People who have "gotten over" the past don't erect and visit memorials to famines. They don't shut down the largest city in the country and paint a green stripe down a main thoroughfare and march for six or so hours, wearing shirts that say things like Thank God I'm Irish.
They don't create a vast niche in the publishing industry that a cynic might refer to as "Irish Misery Inc."
(I can't wait to read Timothy Egan's new book on Thomas Francis Meagher. This week, sounding like someone who has "gotten over" nothing, Egan told NPR: "For almost 700 years it was a crime to be Irish in Ireland … It was a crime to practice your religion...to own property…(The English) did everything they could...to de-culture these people.")
But all this means little because Guilfoyle's real problem is with African American activists. With all due respect Kim, my heritage is not there for you to manipulate so that you can disparage others who are trying to fight the very kinds of injustice the Irish once faced.
Look, there is a long, complex debate to be had about law enforcement in African American communities. Fox news on St. Patrick's Day ain't the time and place for that debate!
Do you really want to explore why the Irish no longer have the need to run around saying things like Irish Lives Matter? Do you really want to talk about how the horrors of the Famine could only be ameliorated by two gigantic forces -- the Catholic Church and "big government" in the form of political machines? Both of which African Americans had no access to whatsoever? In fact, both of those institutions were guilty of their own bigotry, sometimes subtle, sometimes brutal.
Meanwhile, the Irish went on to become cops. We know where this racial tragedy was headed. We simply don't know how it will end just yet.
No, Ms. Guilfoyle, the Irish don't run around saying Irish Lives Matter. But neither should they run around decrying "lazy" people looking for handouts. Because the Irish got their fair share of handouts -- from priests and politicians -- when they needed to get on their feet.
Meanwhile, also this week, an international debate exploded about whether or not the Irish were ever enslaved, and what the repercussions of Irish slavery in the New World were.
Again, there is a valid debate to be had about the particularities of, say, the number of Irish who performed forced labor in Barbados in the 1600s.
But that's not what this about, right?
As one ugly online meme put it: "White Irish slaves were treated worse than any other race in the U.S. When is the last time you heard an Irishman b***hing and moaning about how the world owes them a living?"
If you want to believe anything in that statement is true, go right ahead. But your willingness to be bamboozled is rooted in 2016, not Irish history.
You know what would be interesting? If people agreed that the Irish and many others were screwed in the past and are still struggling today.
Rather than bickering amongst each other at the lower end of the social ladder, why not start getting angry at the folks huddled safely at the top?]]>
It was also the go to evergreen story every year for the media of the intolerant Irish refusing to let gays march with their own banner, with the usual pictures of gay groups protesting and various politicians boycotting, like New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
What the former parade organizers never realized was that some traditions, such as slavery, discrimination and exploitation, are better to left die.
When Cardinal Timothy Dolan, to his enormous credit, accepted the parade grand marshal role last year, knowing there was an NBC gay group marching for the first time, the writing was on the wall.
The old time religion still held for some parade leaders however, cardinal or no cardinal. It was like a horse and cart trying to keep up a Model T Ford. All had changed.
The parade board led by Dr. John Lahey, who was elected last June, realized quickly the old days were done and implemented a policy allowing Lavender and Green, an Irish group that has paid its dues over many years, to march.
In this decision they were backed by de Blasio, the entire New York City Council and the St. Patrick's Day Parade Foundation, a savvy group of Irish American business leaders who realized the damage the old parade antics were doing to the Irish image.
Thus it was on a sparkling March 17 that one of the biggest crowds in memory lined the sidewalks as hundreds of thousands marched up Fifth Avenue.
There was not a single incident reported, the Lavender and Green marchers were all in high spirits and were met with applause and friendliness all the way up the avenue.
A damn burst of emotion was let loose among those who sought only the right to be treated equally. The Supreme Court has ruled it should be so, and now the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York has followed suit.
The historic day looked no different to any other parade and the naysayer nabobs of negativism were proven utterly wrong.
There is still talk of the ancient regime somehow returning after a court case set to be heard in the Bronx next week. That would be akin to the return of spear carriers after tanks had been invented.
My strong advice to them is to let it go. King Canute turning back the waves comes to mind.
The naysayers need to slip away or stay and be part of the new dispensation. The Irish community is a far more tolerant and accepted community as a result of this move.
Don't take my word for it, talk to the millions at the parade and the fine day had by all. The proof is in the pride, joy and tolerance of an entire community and the great parade leadership now in place.
Long may it be so.]]>
Shannon and the West of Ireland has a strong connection with Boston going back centuries. They have shared a history of emigration through the Famine times to recent decades with economic turbulence. Generations of visitors from both countries going back and forth through Shannon Airport has led to a strong relationship between both regions.
Brian Casey, Chairman of the Airport Fire Police St. Patrick's Day Committee said, "Our group used to travel to Boston and other cities annually and our members built up great relationships with our US counterparts. Sadly two members of the Port Authority Police Department with whom we had a close relationship, Tommy O' Gorman and Bruce Reynolds, tragically died in the response to September 11. We have photos of them in our fire station at Shannon - we shared the overwhelming sadness of the events of September 11 and we commemorate our fallen Boston brothers in Shannon."
Casey said, "This was a huge honor for our guys. We got to meet the many thousands of fire fighters and police from all over the US and celebrate with Irish men and women who left our part of the country for a new life in Boston."
It is a lot easier today to make frequent trips to Shannon and the West of Ireland from Boston. Year round daily non-stop service from Boston to Shannon provide a direct and easy link to Shannon for the residents of Boston and the North East of the US. When Shannon Airport management visited Mayor Marty Walsh, Mayor Walsh was delighted with the direct daily route and said that because his family resides in the western part of the country, nearly every trip he has made to Ireland has been through Shannon Airport.
There has been a steady increase of passengers through Shannon airport and the route is becoming more and more popular for US tourists who want to travel to Ireland with a hassle free and easy trip made all the better with pre-clearance for US customs at Shannon. Last year saw a record number of US tourists to Ireland.
Economic links between both countries and regions are also strong as a result of the easy access to Ireland through Shannon airport. Shannon is increasing its drive towards attracting inward investment into the region and offers substantial business benefits to potential investors and New England-based firms.
The St Patrick's Day celebrations were a reminder to many people of the unique relationship between Shannon and Boston and the 18-strong group from the Airport Fire and Police were delighted to share in the spirit of that relationship when they visited Boston.
Casey added, "We marched in full uniform with the Shannon flag, and we were delighted to promote our airport. We continue to welcome our fellow service people to Shannon each year, with exchange visits with members of US crews coming over here for holidays and touring up and down the West of Ireland through Shannon."
The entire group were invited to attend the Boston College Eagles Football Team Practice and meet the team and Head Coach Steve Addazio. They were also guests of Senator Linda Dorcena Forry's South Boston St. Patrick's Day Breakfast before going on to march in the parade.]]>
Ad Week is the most influential ad publication covering the USU media. FishbowlNY, AdWeek's excellent blog about the New York media landscape, declared on Thursday that "IrishCentral properly owns St. Patrick's Day."
Thanks, lads!
"Beyond today's parade and a bar after work like McSorley's Old Ale House, few places better reflect the spirit of March 17th than the corner of the Manhattan Internet that lies beyond the shingle irishcentral.com," wrote Richard Horgan.
The post took a look at our homepage stories on the afternoon of St. Patrick's Day, in addition to our most read stories of the day.
It also highlighted the article "A St. Patrick's Day message from Ireland: Thank you, America" – one of our personal favorites too – and commented "There's so much to enjoy."
The month of March, and St. Patrick's Day especially, is consistently a high traffic time for IrishCentral, thanks to our dedicated 3 million monthly readers and the added influx of people taking an interest in all things Irish thanks to the month that's in it. In turn, we strive to deliver content that's interesting to both out loyal audience and readers who are newer to the Irish culture and diaspora.
IrishCentral was also recently noted by Huffington Post Business in their Content Calendar Series, as one of the top 10 sites with the highest social shares in March 2015.
This wasn't the first time IrishCentral has received a nod from Fishbowl. Back in January 2014, they published a post praising a personal essay by Sean Dunne, who had just joined the IrishCentral team at the time. The essay, which is well worth revisiting, delved into his decision to leave Ireland right after receiving his master's degree in journalism, and come to New York. (Dunne is still producing great work, now back in Ireland as a journalist for the Irish Daily Mail).
Our most popular stories for St. Patrick's Day 2016 included:
Of course, we wouldn't have achieved this without those who read and share our content and keep coming back for more. Thank you IrishCentral readers, and here's to more great stories throughout the year!
Go maire sibh an chéad! (That you'll live a hundred years!)
If you missed any of our St. Patrick's Day coverage, you can catch up with it here.
Yes, the big winner of St. Patrick's Day in America are the dentists, with a 77 percent leap in emergency visits in the few days immediately after the holiday. March 18, or the Monday straight after Paddy's Day if it falls on the weekend, is in fact one of the ten busiest days of the dentist's calendar year, with the spike continuing for two or three days.
Data collected countrywide by Sikka Software, which provides applications and tools to more than 10,000 dental practices across the country, shows that between 2008 and 2015, both men and women were forced to make emergency trips to their dentist on March 18, mainly because they were the unfortunate victims of a Paddy's Day faceplant.
The rowdy behavior is not confined to male bravado either with just as many women meeting with dental disaster each year.
Between the ages of 30 and 65, women see a 77.4 percent increase in emergency dental visits while men in the same age bracket see a 78 percent increase.
Read more: St. Patrick's Day recovery: Ten best Irish hangover cures (PHOTOS)
Speaking to CNBC, Dr. Page Barden, a dentist in Cumming, Georgia, agreed that he sees more emergency visits as a result of St. Patrick's Day.
"Yes, dentists are very busy the day after we celebrate St. Patrick," he said, stating that those who become slightly more clumsy as the day wears on and fall over or those who find themselves more easily offended and in a fight are the most common.
There are also certain states that see a massive increase in emergency appointments, including Arkansas, West Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Kansas, and Louisiana. Delaware tops the list - the rowdy bunch - with a ridiculous 188 percent jump. Although Delaware's Irish American population ranks high with fourth largest Irish population in the US, the other states rank low in terms of the percentage of the population who claim Irish heritage.
Only one state avoids the shame of saying they partied too hard in honor of St. Patrick, with Vermont being the only place not to see any kind of increase. This is despite Vermont having the sixth largest Irish population in the US.
Vijay Sikka, founder of Sikka Software, believes that there's a pot of gold to be made now that the increase has been noticed.
"We can see dentists offering a St. Patrick's Day emergency appointments special," he said.
The new figures show a marked rise in the number of dental emergencies in the past few years, with statistics released in 2015 revealing a slightly lower but nonetheless appalling increase of 64 percent. The data was found by comparing the amount of emergency appointments in each state around Paddy's Day with the number on an average day.
Read more: Conor McGregor's advice on how to win a bar fight (VIDEO)]]>
John Sheehan, head of the Attorney General's Charities Bureau, found that the alleged financial mismanagement did not rise to the level that would warrant further action from his office. The letter was sent by the parade's board to ensure compliance with its non-profit 501 (c) (3)status.
Sources close to the investigation told the Irish Voice/IrishCentral that Sheehan is satisfied the parade's board acted promptly by removing Dunleavy from his former position as head of parade's operations, and that new controls are in place under new board chairman Dr. John Lahey, president of Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.
The Charities Bureau would possibly instigated further action if the new controls hadn't been in place, the source said, but the amount of alleged financial irregularity didn't warrant further action on the agency's part.
Besides Dunleavy, the other former parade officials noted in the board's letter to the Charities Bureau, Michael Cassels and Carla Chadwick, are no longer officially affiliated with the parade: last September Cassels repaid the board with a check for $1,752.86, which covered the amount that he billed the parade for expenses that had been previously paid to him. Cassels was also expelled from his board membership. Chadwick, who had worked as Dunleavy's "executive secretary," is also no longer affiliated with the parade.
Francis Young, Dunleavy's attorney based in White Plains, Westchester, County, issued a press release on Wednesday that stated in part, "These false charges were deliberately and recklessly made by Dr. Lahey and Hilary Beirne against Mr. Dunleavy and others in order to distract from their hostile and illegal takeover of the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade.
"Instead of trying to quietly address these purported accusations within the confines of the board, Dr. Lahey and Mr. Beirne chose to conduct an orchestrated and sustained publicity campaign in the pages of Irish Central defaming the good names and reputations of Mr. Cassels, Ms. Chadwick and Mr. Dunleavy. We chose not to address these false accusations in the media, but rather let the investigation takes its course.
"Today, they have all been vindicated by the New York State Attorney General's Office. We are grateful to Charities Bureau for conducting a thorough and fair investigation into this matter and making every effort to resolve this matter by March 17th so that they can proudly hold their heads up high as they celebrate and honor the glorious St. Patrick! "These attacks upon the integrity of Mr. Dunleavy, Mr. Cassels and Ms. Chadwick not only affected their reputations within the Irish-American community, but have also taken its toll upon their emotional well-beings and threatened their livelihoods.
"This episode shows that Dr. Lahey and Hilary Beirne have lacked the courage,
honor and integrity to quietly and respectfully resolve their issues with Mr. Dunleavy in
private. Their actions have caused a tremendous amount of damage to the goodwill of the parade, especially with the affiliated organizations who are the heart and soul of the parade."
The affiliates were out in force yesterday, including all of the county organizations led by the United Irish Counties. Dunleavy marched in the front line of the UIC contingent, and wore the organization sash.
Dunleavy made his way to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who was reviewing the parade from the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral and customarily greets the leaders of many of the early marching contingents. The cardinal greeted Dunleavy, a staunch and vocal opponent of gay groups having a place in the parade line of march, with a long and clearly heartfelt embrace.]]>
The Lavender and Green banner, an official part of the parade for the first time, attracted a crush of media and plenty of cheers from the remaining spectators on Fifth Avenue when the 300-strong marching unit stepped off, after 25 years of protests and many arrests over the lack of inclusion.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose boycott of the parade during his previous two years as mayor unquestionably prompted the compromise that green-lighted Lavender and Green's admittance, marched the entire parade route with the first Irish LGBT group in the march. He was joined by his wife Chirlane McCray and a host of other long-standing activists, including former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and her father Larry, LGBT icon Edie Windsor, and Kathleen Walsh D'Arcy, the beloved co-founder of the Lavender and Green Alliance. De Blasio had marched in the parade earlier in the day with both the NYPD and FDNY contingents.
"It's everything I expected and more," said Fay, who has spent past parades protesting Irish LGBT exclusion – and often being arrested for such.
Walsh D'Arcy said she was sure the day would come when inclusivity reigned on Fifth Avenue, but the reality was "amazing" to take in.
"We are thankful and grateful and so proud. This is how it should be," she said.
De Blasio and his wife arrived at the Lavender and Green gathering on West 48th Street not long before the group stepped off. The marchers, all of whom sported lavender and green sashes, were in a joyous mood, and happy to be done with the decades of protest which saw them hold banners along Fifth Avenue when the parade reached the 57th Street.
The chairman of the parade's board of directors, Quinnipiac University President Dr. John Lahey, welcomed Lavender and Green at the start of their march, and also greeted the group, along with the parade's long-time executive secretary and logistics head Hilary Beirne, at the 62nd Street grandstand.
Lahey has championed the inclusion of an Irish LGBT group in the parade, and has praised the 2016 march as being the "most inclusive" ever.
(The Irish Voice newspaper will have a comprehensive report next Wednesday on the Lavender and Green debut on Fifth Avenue, and interviews with the group's supporters.)]]>
On the sidewalks a sea of green enveloped the Manhattan horizon as far as the eyes could see. I found myself humming the Beatles lyrics, "Sky of blue and sea of green" from "Yellow Submarine."
Everyone seemed surrounded by friends at this Celtic feast of the arrival of spring, which was the feast of Imbolc in Celtic mythology, the time of the year when darkness departed and the sun began its merry climb across the sky and winter was banished and young lovers thrived.
Two million showed up to recreate our heritage and salute our springtime in the greatest city in the world in the greatest country on the globe in the finest planet in the Milky Way.
On the way to the parade the kids were joyous, boys and girls mingling hands and mingling glances while the world was spinning yet another St. Patrick's Day from Darwin to Dublin, Nepal to New York.
It's at times like this you miss the old crowd, the Paul O'Dwyer's and the Frank Durcan's who gave their everything for the Irish in the city but never marched because of the old exclusionary rules. Yet they did more for the Irish than a thousand grand Poohbahs of the parade who sought to hold on to the grimy grip they had on the future.
Then this year the cascade broke and enlightened men and women took over. Suddenly the parade was inclusive again, like a patient recovering it never looked better than this fine March morning.
Let us name some on that role of honor: John Lahey, Hilary Beirne, Sean Lane, Frank Comerford... The list could go on and on, but let us thank them for restoring the good name of inclusivity in the same sentence as Irish.
It would not be the parade but for some skullduggery. This time it was an Italian stand-off over who would steal a march first – the governor or the mayor. Andrew Cuomo grabbed the initiative and, with Mayor de Blasio vainly watching, Cuomo grabbed the showtime lead spot where he wasn't supposed to be and set off a furious pace leading the Fighting 69th, the greatest Irish regiment of all.
Welcome to New York politics where priorities change in a New York minute. Maybe we'd have had the two Italians haggling like Irish fishwives, but alas De Blasio never caught up.
De Blasio would later make up for his wounded pride and ego by marching with Lavender and Green and we all had to wonder what the fuss was about as we saw a group of Irishmen and women – with the tall mayor towering over everybody – make their way up Fifth.
Would the skies part and thunderbolt appear? Would St. Patrick float down from heaven wagging a finger at this very ordinary group of citizens who happened to be gay where others happen to be straight?
Historic New York #StPatricksDay parade includes LGBT community for first time: https://t.co/6p6DiUHsye pic.twitter.com/NNUhSJ6oKp— Newstalk (@NewstalkFM) March 17, 2016
Who knew?
We looked in vain for signs of the horsemen of the apocalypse, but there was only a yellow orb in the sky, positively identified as the sun by several parade goers. It blazed away as they walked up Fifth.
Not long before them the man who was deposed as parade chairman, John Dunleavy, marched with the United Irish Counties and was embraced by the Cardinal at the steps of St Patrick's Cathedral.
It was surely the time to let bygones be bygones and let the old exclusionary ways go and the Irish America of yesteryear fade.
Certainly everything yesterday pointed to the most successful march in years, if not decades.
My two most emotional moments, while watching later from the beautifully appointed American Irish Historical Society, were the appearance of legendary and heroic policeman Steve McDonald and the firemen with their 349 flags remembering their fallen brethren of 9/11.
That is what the parade is about – honoring heroes amid the canyons of New York.
We could do it unencumbered by any other issues yesterday.
We were a united nation once again. Long may it stay that way.]]>
After weeks of parade preparation, reading up on the history of St. Patrick and the day named after him, cooking up special Irish recipes, and brushing up on Irish toasts and sayings for the special day, St. Patrick's Day has come and gone.
While a few towns and cities around the world will still be holding their St. Patrick's Day celebrations this weekend, yesterday was the main event, with parades and parties galore, and monuments around the world turning green in honor of Ireland and March 17.
Here's a look at some of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations around the world, from New York to Dublin to Sydney.
And if you're feeling a little worse for the weather (no judgement!), you can read up on our top Irish hangover cures here.
The St. Patrick's Day parades throughout Ireland, where it's a national holiday, proved once again that there's no better place for the craic on March 17th than Ireland.
Just look at these spectacular floats in Dublin!
And Cork!
What a show #StPatricksDay @corkpaddysfest #CorksRedFM pic.twitter.com/rcaz4BWSh4— Cork's RedFM (@CorksRedFM) March 17, 2016
And Limerick!
The Dublin parade was led by the wonderful Joanne O'Riordan, who stars in the documentary No Limbs, No Limits.
Absolutely amazing day at @stpatricksfest parade! An experience I'll never forget ��#StPatricksDay pic.twitter.com/w8FfqkLLFB— No Limbs No Limits (@NolimbsNolimits) March 17, 2016
Over half a million people thronged the streets to watch the parade, which was especially in tune with this year's theme, "Imagine if…"
#TakingYouToIreland for the parade in #dublin! A sea of green madness. Shot by @elizabethclloydcanvin#lovedublin #dublin #stpatricksday #stpatricksday2016Posted by InstaIreland on Thursday, March 17, 2016
In Cork, where the theme of the parade was Ireland's 1916 Proclamation, the parade was led by a massive reproduction of the proclamation itself as well as people portraying the signatories.
Posted by Cork St Patricks Festival on Thursday, March 17, 2016
They also had a "Foxy Float" devoted entirely to redheads:
In Galway, they recreated the famous Men at Lunch photo of Irish construction workers in New York:
Hands down the best St. Patrick's Day float we've ever laid eyes on. The top was snapped at the Maigh Cuilinn parade in...Posted by InstaIreland on Thursday, March 17, 2016
In Ennis, Co. Clare, the parade was led by 97-year-old Patrick Wall – the oldest living Patrick in the county. He was joined by a few more venerable Patricks, pictured here:
Patrick McMahon (94) from Feakle, Patrick Malone (92) from Corofin, Mayor of Ennis Pat Daly (who turned 60 today), Patrick Wall (97) from Kilmihil and Chris Droney (92) from Bellharbour pictured after today's Ennis St Patrick's Day Parade.
Donald Trump also made an appearance at an astounding number of parades throughout Ireland:
Donald O'Trump marching to make Ireland great again @iamjohnoliver @LastWeekTonight #Trump #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/Mc4c4GgkB3— Dylan Kinsella (@dkinsella89) March 13, 2016
Make Donegal Great Again: Gweedore plumps for @realDonaldTrump in #StPatricksDay Parade pic.twitter.com/mEw7Dknage— Paul Sammon (@paulsammon) March 17, 2016
Trump wins Bangor! pic.twitter.com/CT5vOofVp4— Dara Calleary (@daracalleary) March 17, 2016
Donald Trump takes a break from campaigning to walk in Galway , promises to build a wall to keep Mayo folk out ! pic.twitter.com/Hh2lLXLECg— Gerry Foley (@Gerry_UTV) March 17, 2016
Donald Trump at Galway St Patrick's Day parade���������������� pic.twitter.com/38eqhvCFwf— Pat McGrath (@patmcgrath) March 17, 2016
Had a Donald Trump impersonator in our St. Patrick's Day Parade. Was epic to see him ������ pic.twitter.com/nPulsT1ef7— Philly Byrne (@ByrnePhilip) March 17, 2016
And in Carrigaholt, there was Ireland's shortest St. Patrick's Day parade:
Ladies and gentlemen.. The moment you have all been waiting for has finally arrived!! The direct result of a long years...Posted by Becky O Farrell on Thursday, March 17, 2016
The 5th avenue parade, the oldest in the world, made history today as the first Irish LGBT group marched in the procession:
History made. Mayor @BilldeBlasio joins Lavender and Green Alliance on 5th Avenue. pic.twitter.com/tOskyLbTmB— NYC Mayor's CAU (@mayorsCAU) March 17, 2016
In addition to St. Patrick's Day revelers, the streets of New York were full of Irish literature, thanks to the Irish Arts Center's St. Patrick's Day book drive, though which 5,000 Irish books were given away.
Started my morning in Woodside, Queens, handing out books for #IACBookDay with @IrishArtsCenter pic.twitter.com/C50qW137m7— Rachael Gilkey (@rachaelwgilkey) March 17, 2016
Lisbon celebrates #StPatricksDay pic.twitter.com/D05nDjtF6x— Lisbon Embassy (@IrlEmbLisbon) March 17, 2016
Portugal's capital city held its first-ever St. Patrick's Day parade yesterday! It was led by Ambassador Orla Tunney and some adorably excited schoolkids.
Ambassador Tunney leading the parade in Lisbon @dfatirl #StPatricksDay pic.twitter.com/2fPitzBdcl— Lisbon Embassy (@IrlEmbLisbon) March 17, 2016
Sydney's St. Patrick's Day parade was sadly canceled this year due to a lack of funding, but the Irish in Australia's capital still found ways to celebrate:
The #StPatricksDay parade may be cancelled but that won't stop thousands of Irish celebrating https://t.co/xFF5iryKfp— Daily Mail Australia (@DailyMailAU) March 17, 2016
It was a massive success this year, with close 200 landmarks around the world going green for St. Patrick's Day. The part most people don't realize? The cities and countries join in on the fun for free, saving the Tourism Ireland an estimated 20 million euro.
The Coliseum in Rome:
Wow! The Colosseum in Rome looks stunning in green #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/f5gdxssZhh— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2016
The Great Wall of China:
The Green Wall of China :) #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/3VrqJQAtaR— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2016
Niagra Falls:
WOW - how amazing does @NiagaraFalls look all lit up in green #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/hjOeExiNty— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2016
The Mount Ulriken TV mast in Bergen, Norway:
Norway calling! The Mount Ulriken TV mast in Bergen was another first-time #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/GYmKt8QcnI— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2016
Iceland goes green again in 2016! Fab photo of Hallgrímskirkja Reykjavik #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/4I386Jj0v3— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2016
The London Eye:
WOW - how amazing does @NiagaraFalls look all lit up in green #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/hjOeExiNty— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2016
A bunch of attractions throughout Northern Ireland, including the Giants Causeway:
Look out for lots of places across Northern Ireland glowing green tonight for St Patrick's Day. #GoGreen4PatricksDay pic.twitter.com/c2kL80auLs— Northern Ireland (@DiscoverNI) March 17, 2016
Check out @CasaLomaToronto - all decked out in green #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/irrfE6VZZB— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2016
La Minerva monument in Guadalajara looks pretty fab all lit up in green #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/PseQwQHylb— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2016
Yay! Madrid joins our #GlobalGreening - here's the beautiful 'greened' Puerta de Alcalá pic.twitter.com/ejO1EJ2Ud5— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 16, 2016
And even the Aisling Irish Center in New York!
Really great that @Aisling_Irish in New York is taking part in our #GlobalGreening this year pic.twitter.com/Ud55Bamkkq— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 16, 2016
☘With love on #StPatricksDay ��☘https://t.co/k2BtVjsgyZ— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) March 16, 2016
And finally, this trad band golden retriever completely stole the show:
Happy #StPatricksDayGetting into the Irish spiritPosted by Jason Oliveira Abc30 Action News on Thursday, March 17, 2016