Local Interest
What is a Shamrock ?
Shamrocks have been symbolic of many things over the years . According to legend , the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad , and three was a mystical number in the Celtic religion , as in many others . St . Patrick used the shamrock in the 5th century to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as he introduced Christianity to Ireland .
The shamrock became symbolic in other ways as time went on . In the 19th century it became a symbol of rebellion , and anyone wearing it risked death by hanging . It was this period that spawned the phrase " the wearin ' o ' the green ". Today , the shamrock is the most recognized symbol of the Irish , especially on St . Patrick ' s Day , when all over the world , everyone is Irish for a day ! Occasionally , a fourth leaflet will appear , making a " four-leaf clover ," said to bring good luck to the person who discovers it . On St . Patrick ' s Day , it is customary to wear shamrocks and / or green clothing or accessories ( the " wearing of the green "). St Patrick is said to have used the shamrock , a three-leaved plant , to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish .
What do the Irish eat on St Patrick ’ s Day ?
The day is more than likely going to start out with an " Irish Breakfast " this comprising of fresh eggs normally fried along with 2 sausage , 2 bacon , grilled tomatoes , black pudding , white pudding , mushrooms and Irish brown bread . And then there are the puddings , sold in packages the size similar to a salami . Black pudding is really a blood sausage which is a staple across the European continent . The French call theirs ' boudin noir ,' the Spanish ' morcilla ,' the Germans ' blutwurst ,' and the Italians ' sanguinaccio .' Irish brown bread is sometimes made with oatmeal , but its unique taste comes from using the finest milled wheat . This will see you right through the day giving you all the energy required to survive the hustle and bustle generated by the parades that spring up in all the towns and cities . After this and maybe a few pints of Guinness back home for dinner . Not what you imagine no corned beef and no cabbage , Saint Patrick Day meal is generally a join of lamb roasted in the oven with rosemary and garlic . Served with creamed potatoes , roasted vegetable ( that includes potatoes , carrots , and parsnips ) with peas and broccoli . The dessert is normal hot apple tart served with custard and cream . A classic Irish dish like shepherd ’ s pie will be haunting local pubs around the world on St . Patrick ’ s Day . Even though shepherds herd sheep and not cattle , this dish has become a national favourite and is the perfect way to build up a layer of carbo-loaded food before you pour yourself a Guinness .
It could be salmon , haddock , scallops , or whatever the fresh catch of the day is on the coastline of Ireland . The close proximity to fresh fish means fresh seafood is a staple for an Irish household , especially on St . Patrick ’ s Day . Ireland — the land of Guinness , and all the stout beer a lad or lass could desire . St . Patrick ’ s Day without a cold pint of stout is a disappointment . Alongside that pint of stout should be a glass of premium , well-aged whiskey . A St . Patrick ' s Day celebration wouldn ' t be complete without it .
Don ’ t finish off the meal on St . Patrick ’ s Day with a plain old coffee . Bring out the whiskey and heavy cream for a true end-ofmeal indulgence — the Irish coffee . Creamy , spiked , and with enough caffeine to get the party started .
What turns GREEN ?
Green food may mean party time , where St . Patrick ' s Day has long been an excuse to break out the food dye . But in Ireland , where the Irish celebrate their patron saint on March 17 , green food has bitter connotations that recall the nation ' s darkest chapter .
The reason , is the Irish potato famine of the 1840s , which forced so many Irish to flee mass starvation in their homeland in search of better times in America and elsewhere . Those who stayed behind turned to desperate measures . " People were so deprived of food that they resorted to eating grass ," " In Irish folk memory , they talk about people ' s mouths being green as they died ."
Last year St Patrick ' s Day celebrations went global as almost 200 landmarks from Rome to Sydney have turned green . Iconic buildings and monuments include the Great Wall of China , the London Eye and the 7 World Trade Centre at Ground Zero in New York .
The Ground Zero monument was one of several around the world being lit up green for the first-time last year , with others including the Nelson Mandela statue in Johannesburg and the Yas Viceroy Hotel in Abu Dhabi . And don ’ t forget the , Chicago ’ s River turns green also . The annual dyeing of the Chicago River for St . Patrick ' s Day is a family reunion for the Butler and Rowan clans , the two families responsible for the tradition of turning the murky water into a bright " Ghostbusters " Slimmer green for more than 50 years .
Try out the Irish sayings below on St Patrick ’ s day . May the luck of the Irish be with you ! - Is féidir leis an ádh na hÉireann a bheith in éineacht leat ! Kiss me , I ' m Irish - Tabhair ' om póg , is Éireannach mé Ireland forever - Erin go Bragh
Cheers ! - Cheers ! Could it be any easier ? The MAG Vung Tau 25