Top 'o the morning! On St. Patrick's Day, Irish people think about Ireland, sing songs, eat special foods, and celebrate their Irish heritage. Ireland is often called the Emerald Isle.  That is why on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, many people wear green. Because it is such a festive holiday, not only the Irish observe it. Everyone enjoys the celebration!  Some towns even have parades. Today you are going to see lots of dancing performed by children from Holy Family who attend Steward School of Irish Dance. You will also hear some traditional Irish music, readings and poems. So sit back relax and enjoy the show. St.Patrick’s Day

The Reel

Who was St.Patrick? Born in Wales to wealthy parents at the end of the 4th Century, at the age of 16, young Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders and whisked across the Irish Sea, where he spent the next six years in captivity working as a lonely shepherd. His religion was very important to him especially when he was alone, and soon he became a devout Christian. After six years, Patrick heard God’s voice telling him it was time to leave Ireland, so he escaped from his captors and made his way back home. Here, he had another vision from an angel who told him he should go back to preach Christianity to the Irish. After 14 years’ studying to be a priest, Patrick returned to Ireland where he built churches and spread the Christian faith for the next 30 years until his death on March 17, 460AD.

Callum McGregor

Poem by Bobbie Carr

The Light Jig

St. Patrick used the Shamrock to represent the Holy Trinity God the Son God the Father God the Holy Spirit Legend has it that St. Patrick was responsible for ridding the Emerald Isle of snakes; but more importantly, it is said that Patrick used the shamrock as a symbol to explain the Trinity to Unbelievers. He would ask them “Is it one leaf or three?” He would then explain to them that the three parts of the shamrock made a single leaf. This is how God is One God in Three Persons. The shamrock is know as the national symbol of Ireland to this day.

Hornpipe

Gold at the end of the rainbow Have you ever seen a rainbow and thought about finding the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? The famous Irish lore is based on a bit of trickery -- there really is no end to a rainbow. The way the physics work, rainbows are actually full circles -- only the Earth's ground gets in the way of us seeing the complete circle. One version of the fable is that a leprechaun granted one wish to a couple who was very poor and had little. They asked for riches of gold and silver. The leprechaun was angered that the couple would be so selfish, but as a hint, told them he put their riches in a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and the story goes the couple is still looking for the end of the rainbow to this day.

Sian Kirk - Whistle

History of Irish Dance Irish dancing has been enjoying renewed popularity in recent years, largely due to Irish dance stage shows like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.

Heavy jig

St Patricks Dance

Mharri McGregger - Violin

Finale

St.Patrick’s Day Challenges The person who guesses closest to the correct number of coins in my pot at the end of the rainbow, will win them for their class. HOWEVER you will only get chosen to guess if you are listening well and chosen by me or another adult!!!

What are your dreams at the end of the rainbow? What do you want to achieve?

Which Patron Saints can help us? Agatha – nurses and bellmaking Cassian of Imola – school teachers Christopher – travellers Eustatius – firefighters Malo – pig keepers Anthony – when you’ve lost something Patrick – Ireland and engineers Vitus – dancers Nicholas - children

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.