Top o' the Morning to Ye

With March in full swing and the winter months seeming endless, it’s no reason why those Irishmen (and those who aren’t!) look forward to that motherland holiday sandwiched in the middle of the month. And no, I’m not talking about the Ides of March. It’s almost time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day – or St. Paddy’s Day if you are truly Irish – with green beer, corned beef and cabbage, parades, and shamrocks. Contrary to popular belief, celebratory parades actually were first held in New York City, not in Ireland. While the thought of March 17 usually conjures up images of drunken customers at various pubs and taverns, the day was considered religious in Ireland for years and pubs were closed. The great thing about St. Patrick’s Day is that you are welcomed wherever you go – whether you are Irish, Greek, Italian, Chinese, or from another culture. You don’t need to actually be Irish to celebrate. Toss on your St. Patrick’s Day top hat and lift your giant beer mug for a pint. Drink up with your favorite Irishmen and remember the old Irish saying, “In Heaven there is no beer, that is why we drink here.”