The Luck o' the Irish

Today is St Patrick's Day, the day we all become Irish, even if for just one day. All month long, small communities and large cities have held two and three hour parades on Saturdays and Sundays, rain (in some cases, snow) or shine.

The one parade that really matters is the five hour parade held in New York City, the oldest and continuously held parade every year since 1762. As a New Yorker, even though I live on Long Island, this is the most important parade held anywhere in the world.

The Cathedral of Saint Patrick is the head church of the Archdiocese of New York. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I can say this because people come here to share in this magical day from all parts of the country and the world for the privilege to march in this one, more than any other.

There are other traditions which make all of us Irish today, both religious and secular. Certainly, we know the legend, that St Patrick converted the Irish to Christianity by taking the shamrock and using its three leaves to explain the Blessed Trinity of God. We also know that leprechauns have been part of Irish folklore since at least the 8th Century.

In Sunday's online USA Today there are other traditions and legends explained much better than I could.

It is a fun day, with McRizzo’s and O'Krupski’s joining McLaughlin’s and Murphy’s in the revelry and good times.  Even this McHale, who gets to enjoy Columbus Day as much as this day, will spend some time watching the Parade, having a boiled potato, corned beef and cabbage, and washing it down with Guinness Stout.

So, today and tonight, have a great time celebrating but be safe. Don't do stupid things like drinking and driving. That really isn't the tradition of being Irish, being so drunk that you don't even know or remember the good time you should have had.

The Irish have many proverbs, all of them great, but I will leave you with these two: "May the wind always be at your back" and "May you be in Heaven a half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead."

Have a Happy St Patrick's Day.