Everyone knows that St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national holiday, is a day of celebration.  It’s a tradition across the country and a great excuse to party in the middle of March.  Around the globe on March 17th people will be celebrating with parties, parades, and carnivals.  Every Irish pub will be packed full of people, Irish or not, eating corned beef and cabbage and drinking pints of Guinness.  In addition to those pints of Guinness, many people will enjoy a little Irish coffee or some smooth Irish whiskey.   But before you take a drink of anything Irish on St Patricks Day you must adhere to the Irish culture and give an Irish toast or blessing. 

Here are a few:

• May your glass be ever full and May the roof over your head be always strong. 
• May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.
• Here’s to me, and here’s to you, and here’s to love and laughter.  I’ll be true as long as you, and not one moment after.
• May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.
• As you slide down the bannister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.
• May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent.
• May the friendships you make, be those which endure; and all of your grey clouds, be small ones for sure.

So this St Patricks Day before you take a drink of that green beer, raise your glass and shout out an Irish toast for all to hear!

Who doesn’t love St Patrick’s Day?  Even if you’re not Irish, March 17 has become such a huge celebration that you just can’t help but join in the festivities!  St Patrick’s Day is the national holiday of the Irish people.  It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, but in the United States even though it is widely celebrated, it is not an official holiday (I’m thinking we should change that).  However, even though it’s not recognized as an “official” holiday, that doesn’t stop the celebrations! 

One of my favorite things to do on St Paddy’s Day is to head down to the local Irish Pub.  Although it always has an Irish flair, for one day you are swept up in the traditions and customs of Ireland.  It’s like you’re transformed to a little piece of Ireland right there in your own home town.  If you’ve never been to an Irish Pub on St Patrick’s Day then you’ve got to give it a try this year.  It’s so much fun!  Good music, good food and of course good drink are all part of Ireland’s rich and friendly pub culture bringing the “craic” of the Irish to their pubs.  A little fyi – “craic” (pronounced crack) is a Gaelic word meaning fun, friendly, good times – which is exactly what you get at an Irish Pub. 

Don’t forget to check out all our St Patrick’s Day costumes and accessories.  What better way to join in the festivities at an Irish Pub then to come “dressed” for the occasion!  So this year on March 17, head on down to your local Irish Pub.  There’s nothing better than listening to the lilt of an Irish brogue while enjoying your pint of Guinness with friends!