17 March : St.Patrick’s Day Patron Saint of Ireland Vee 2011
IRELAND Northern Ireland : Ulster Part of the United Kingdom The Republic of Ireland
Saint Patrick PATRON SAINT OF IRELAND Born in 4th century A.D. Wealthy parents Believed to have died : 17 March 460 A.D.
Life story When 16, taken prisoner by Irish raiders 6 years a prisoner/slave became a Christian Escaped after dream. Walked 200 miles and escaped to Britain 2nd dream: Angel tells him to go back to Ireland. Trains for 15 years as missionary.
What was so special about St.Patrick? Incorporated traditional rituals and culture into Christianity e.g. traditional bonfires with Easter
SHAMROCK……………… And the symbolic THREE LEAFED SHAMROCK: Signifying the Christian Holy Trinity: Father, son and the Holy Ghost.
Traditional pagan Irish sun added to the Christian cross Effect: more natural for Irish to worship the Christian cross
No snakes in Ireland…………. Legend : St.Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. Deeper meaning: Snakes are symbol for Druids and paganism!!!
St. Patrick’s Day 17 March: religious feast Celebrated for hundreds of years End of Lent (period of fasting ) Celebrations : dance, drink and eat tradional meals of bacon and cabbage
17 March 1762 First St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the U.S.A. Reconnect to their roots Bagpipes Drums Kilts
Many prejudices in U.S.A. Irish immigrants : Roman Catholics Red hair Drunks Violent
After WW II :The Green Machine Political awareness!! St.Patrick’s Day Parades became a show of strength for the Irish ! A ‘must-attend’ event ! Political influence !
Taoiseach(prime minister) Tradition : Bertie O’Herne and pres. Bush with shamrock ! Every year with St.Patrick’s Day the Irish Prime Minister and the president of the USA have a meeting to discuss the state of affairs in Ireland and the world in general Presentation of a pot of SHAMROCK !
All over the world … St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Famous fireworks near the river Liffey in Dublin
Parades
Even the river is coloured GREEN… Chicago : Water of the river is … GREEN !
Lord of the Dance Irish dancing worldfamous : “Lord of the Dance “ (Michael Flatley)
Just to show you something beautiful……
Irish Pipers,Drummers, Dancers
GREEN LEPRECHAUNS
At the end of the rainbow……. There is a pot of gold………………….
GUINNESS IS GOOD FOR YOU… Sponsor : Guinness brewery
DFDS Seaways Special St.Patrick’s Day cruises to Newcastle Highly recommended!!
vee2011