Will Geoghegan
of the , fondly remembers his years celebrating St. Patrick鈥檚 Day at his home in County Tipperary, Ireland. He recalls children with little pins, adults adorned with shamrocks, attending morning Mass with his family and the excitement of the town parade. Now a long way from home, he offers insight on Irish traditions and how to make the most of your St. Patrick鈥檚 Day.
While using variations of Patrick is acceptable when referring to St. Patrick, the patron saint after which the holiday is named, Geoghegan cautions celebrators to be aware of which diminutives they select.
鈥淭he most common thing you鈥檒l hear people say is happy St. Patty鈥檚 Day,鈥� explains Geoghegan. 鈥淵ou have to say it with a strong D, as in Paddy, or don鈥檛 mess around at all and say happy St. Patrick鈥檚 Day.鈥�
Paddy stems from P谩draig, derived from the Latin Patricius, meaning “of the patrician class.” Other acceptable alternative ways to refer to St. Patrick according to Irish culture include Pat, P谩d, Pod, Packie and Podge.
This St. Patrick鈥檚 Day Geoghegan challenges everyone to keep track how many St. Patty鈥檚 they hear. The number may be shocking.
鈥淭here is so much community around Irish ways of life,鈥� says Geoghegan. 鈥淪t. Patrick鈥檚 Day encapsulates that sense of community with little mini parades around town rather than a big parade like in Dublin or New York City.鈥�
Try staying local for a change this St. Patrick鈥檚 Day. Surround yourself with friends and family and enjoy a parade or celebration in your area. You may be surprised by the kinship you feel as you look around at familiar faces.
Whether you are Irish or just Irish-at-heart, Ireland鈥檚 rich history offers something for everyone. Ireland has had a significant influence on other cultures, largely in the fields of sports, music, language and literature. On St. Patrick鈥檚 Day consider researching how Irish history has affected your present. Geoghegan also encourages those with Irish heritage to explore their ancestry.
鈥淚t is relatively easy to catch up on your heritage,鈥� said Geoghegan. 鈥淚rish parish records are pretty well kept. There are many websites that offer free access to records during the month of March.鈥�
On St. Patrick鈥檚 Day, countless celebrators partake in 鈥渢raditional鈥� corned beef and cabbage. However, corned beef and cabbage is not considered a staple meal in Ireland but was supposedly adopted when Irish immigrants came to America in the late 19th century. Instead, Geoghegan recommends trying more authentic Irish meals, such as Irish breakfast.
A typical Irish breakfast consists of pork sausages, bacon rashers, fried eggs, white or black pudding, fried tomato and toast, but may vary depending on the location.
To Geoghegan, no St. Patrick鈥檚 Day is complete without watching Gaelic sports. In Ireland, Gaelic football and hurling are the most popular sports. Traditionally, the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship and All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship are held on Saint Patrick’s Day in Croke Park in Dublin. Several online services offer streaming of Gaelic sports.
If you are one of the thousands of people who flock to Ireland each year to celebrate St. Patrick鈥檚 Day, you may still be missing out on having a real taste of Irish traditions, depending on where you visit. While Dublin is a popular place for celebrators and may offer a good time, Geoghegan advocates for visiting less touristy Irish locations.
鈥淭here is so much to do in Ireland that it鈥檚 tough to whittle down what to go see,鈥� says Geoghegan. 鈥淲hat I鈥檝e experienced is that most people perceive they are having an authentic Irish holiday by staying in Dublin. But to visit somewhere like Cork, Galway or Kerry is far more fun.鈥�
Historical landmarks Geoghegan recommends visiting include The Rock of Cashel, Glendalough, the monastery of Clonmacnoise and Croke Park.
To learn more about Geoghegan check out Poets and Quants鈥� .
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