Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with Irish Toasts and Shamrocks

Well, today is St. Patrick's Day. Or as my sister would say to her fellow friends of Irish descent, "Happy Day of Our People!" There are really two ways of looking at St. Patrick's Day. There's the stereotypical American way, involving millions of people drinking green beer and slobbering "Erin Go Bragh!" across the table without knowing its meaning. Then there's the other way of celebrating: toasting to a culture with a history of rich traditions and having a pint with friends.

So if you'd rather be one of the more "educated" celebrators of St. Patrick's Day or want to yell more than "Erin Go Bragh!" (Ireland Forever!) in the pub tonight, read on.

There are three basic things to cover if you're wanting to learn about the Irish: Traditions, Music and Language.

In old Ireland, St. Patrick's Day was celebrated as a day of rest from the trials of Lent. According to IrishCultureandCustoms.com writer Bridget Haggerty, the holiday was traditionally regarded as the middle day of spring. Because it was believed that there would be good weather from then on out, Irish farmers planted their main potato crop before the feast day, but never on the actual day itself.

One popular tradition is the wearing of the shamrock. The wearing of the small clover is a fairly recent custom, beginning in the late 18th century. Before then, the Irish would wear a handmade St. Patrick's cross. The tradition didn't become popular until the 19th century when Nationalist movements adopted the shamrock and the harp as their emblems. This act was viewed as rebellion by Victorian England and of course inspired the Irish to continue to wear it.

Though it was never mentioned in St. Patrick's writings, the story goes that the saint used the shamrock to teach the Irish the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The fact that the number three was very significant in ancient Ireland especially helped the Irish understand the belief. Thus, the shamrock is worn in the hat or lapel on St. Patrick's Day.

Music is a necessity to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The Irish are known for their soft and lyrical music, as well as their foot-stomping pub songs. The Irish Tenors and The Chieftans are two wonderful representations of the Irish song. If you aren't fortunate enough to have access to such artists, LiveIreland.com features two online radio stations featuring both traditional and contemporary Irish music.

So how about a little Irish to get you through the night?

Happy St. Patrick's Day (to you singular/plural)
Irish: Lá le Pádraig dhuit/dhaoibh
Pronunciation: law leh paw-dhrig hun-ah gwitch/yeeve

And of course, some toasts:

Here's to being single...
Drinking doubles...
And seeing triple!

Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here's a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
And see all those snakes again.

Sláinte! (Health!)
Pronunciation: Slaw-in-tche

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Irish Culture and Customs.com

Island Ireland.com

Live Ireland.com