| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annika |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 09:49:52 AM
I'm sorry to post something that others may find unkind, and I don't mean to imply that everyone is intentionally guilty of this or means it offensively. As a second generation Irish person, I find the veneration of any Saint offensive when it's used as an excuse to dye the water green, drink and barf all over the place and paste inane and ubiquitous shamrocks and leprechauns on everything. I feel that it's mockery and ethnic bigotry as portraying the Irish people as nothing but drunks. So much violence has occurred in Ireland during St. Patrick's day and I just can't get into it, nor do I understand the American obsession with it.
Sorry to sound unkind but it is hurtful to me and my people as being portrayed like this. I believe that the Saints are due more respect.
Sorry 
EDIT: I'm sorry to have been overly sensitive and I really shouldn't have posted this, my apologies for starting this thread. Nini, as always you have the most amazing and inspirational stories, thank you so much for sharing them =}
You must do the thing you think you cannot do
-Eleanor Roosevelt
She with the most chickens wins 
Annika
Farmgirl & Sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
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| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Apr 09 2014 : 07:21:43 AM
Corned beef and cabbage is actually a New England dish. But since I grew up in a New England state I make it. Of course, I make it whenever I can as we love it!
Denise
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| MrsTracy |
Posted - Apr 09 2014 : 05:57:48 AM
I'm particularly sensitive to certain holidays also. I've always been fascinated by Irish history, culture, literature and cuisine. Living very near Savannah, GA, I absolutely refuse to cross the Talmidge Bridge from South Carolina to Georgia the week leading up to St. Patrick's Day. River Street is a right hot mess.
In the same vein, I don't celebrate Columbus Day either. The myth, lies and cruelty surrounding this man demand (from me) to not celebrate him in any way.
Aspiring Titus II and Proverbs 31 Lady. |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Mar 22 2014 : 7:40:17 PM
My maternal grandfather's last name was Collins, which I guess makes me part Irish although I never met him. I love reading the Sister Fidelma mystery stories because that is how I am learning a little bit about Ireland. Thank everyone who has posted in this thread to give me a little more perspective on Irish history and how my forbearers lived.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com
http://www.ravelry.com/people/Brightmeadow |
| sue5901 |
Posted - Mar 21 2014 : 08:50:34 AM
Darlene - the other colour is Orange.
The original idea of the flag is the Green is for the Catholics, the Orange is for the Protestants and the White is for the neutrals in the middle.
After the Irish Republic left the United Kingdom most protestants fled the country either to Northern Ireland (which remained in the UK) or to Great Britain as they did not want to live under Catholic rule or were 'hounded out'
This has led to the Orange element being of less importance than was originally intended and the green aspect dominated.
St Patricks day is celebrated throughout the British Isles alongside St Davids Day for Wales, St Andrews Day for Scotland and St Georges Day for England. No idea why only St Patricks Day made it across the Atlantic.
Also in the whole of the British Isles culturally we met, socialise and celebrate over drinks - not food!!!! Until the last couple of decades we rarely went to other people's houses to eat unless we knew them very well and many older people have never eaten in another persons house outside of their own family. That is why the Pub is so important to us and why everyone drinks and being very drunk is considered totally socially acceptable - we expect everyone including the Queen and Prime Minister to get drunk. Celebrating any day including our National Saints Day would always have included getting drunk - that is not a new concept and is one of the true elements to make it across the water to the USA - although the shamrocks everywhere commercial aspect of it you can claim as your own - that came over here from the States about 10 years ago.
Oh and Corned beef as eaten in the States is yours too - its not traditional Irish food at all!!!!! Corned beef here comes in a tin, is bright pink and is from Argentina.
Dance like nobody's watching! |
| Crow |
Posted - Mar 19 2014 : 07:12:46 AM
quote:
Originally posted by one_dog_per_acre
We pack like 20 cousins in a 900 square foot house with a lot of cabbage and whiskey, because that's what our grandmother did. Good, sentimental times.
My mother tells me that my father had times like that too. And some of the stories are very funny though they probably weren't funny to her at the time 
I love your signature by the way. Love Charlie Brown
Choose Joy :) |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Mar 19 2014 : 04:16:27 AM
We pack like 20 cousins in a 900 square foot house with a lot of cabbage and whiskey, because that's what our grandmother did. Good, sentimental times.
“It always looks darkest just before it gets totally black.”-Charlie Brown |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Mar 18 2014 : 4:47:57 PM
We are Irish and we do celebrate but we celebrate the accomplishments of Patrick who by the way was a Christian. There is an excellent book out on his life. It is called "Let Me Die in Ireland" His real name was not Patrick, he was English and changed it. He also did not chase snakes out of Ireland nor did he use the shamrock to share the Trinity. We have taken the time to study our lineage which in our family is important to us.
Every holiday that has started out Christian has been changed to suit others and commercialism so it is not surprising that St. Patrick's day has been done the same.
Denise
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| Crow |
Posted - Mar 18 2014 : 08:56:24 AM
I always wear the Green and usually a shamrock pin that belonged to my nana but that's as far as it goes with me. St Patrick's Day seems to be a good reason for a lot of people to get drunk. I don't get it either. But then everything today seems to be a reason for some sort of excess.
My great grandfather came to the states in the late-ish 1800 to join his son (my grandfather) who had already been here for a bit as he was married and had a home and employment. I was never really able to find out very much about them because they were long gone by the time I was born. My father knew a little and he did say that they had changed their last name by dropping one or two 'Os) So I might be Dolan now but at some time I may have been O'Dolan or O'Doolan. Even the census I looked at had the shortened name.
I would love to go to Ireland someday. But they haven't built the land bridge yet and I won't fly. lol.
Connie I love you photos thanks for posting them :)
And what part of my family isn't Irish are Scot so I would love to see Scotland too!
Choose Joy :) |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Mar 18 2014 : 08:41:10 AM
Annika - Everyone becomes protective of people they love and things that are important to them. You shouldn't feel bad about that at all! I completely agree about the crazy stereotype - it IS a bit offensive. You're not thin-skinned - you're love of your heritage runs deep! People SHOULD be more respectful! It's okay to have fun, but when we water things down to the inane (with booze, no less), we lose so much. A lot of people feel what you feel when they see the drunken celebrations. There is just so much to TRULY celebrate, you know? So many people have forgotten the beauty in life and in our life celebrations. I'm with you, sister! We just try to make it what it's supposed to be, and invite others to join in our traditions! :)
Alicia - I hope you DO use some of those ideas! If you need more ideas, I'll see if I can find my notes for you! But I bet you're pretty creative - you probably don't need any help at all! Just have fun with it! :)
So true, Teri... so, so true! A long time ago, a very dear older friend told me to always remember that Santa and the Easter Bunny are just the fun part of the holidays... but they can be used as very effective tools in explaining the meaning behind the holidays to small children. It's all in how you approach it. I never forgot what she said, and we did incorporate all the fun stuff as teaching tools. We taught the holy first, always, and we explained the difference between the holy and the fun part. He was never confused; he had all the fun, but the holy was deeply instilled in his heart. :)
Connie - thank you for sharing! SUCH a beautiful place. One of my aunts used to travel there every year, and my sister and her husband went there on their honeymoon. Everyone says it's one of those places that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime... It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time, too! Lucky you! :)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 8:25:46 PM
Thanks Connie for the beautiful pictures of Ireland, I had heard it was beautiful.
I think you are right Shannon, It doesn't take much of an excuse to have a drinking party That sort of thing has been going on for ever.
have a good St. Patrick's day everyone.
blessings
darlene
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 2:24:18 PM
Ireland is one of those places I long to visit, out of all the places my ancestors once lived. Like Alicia and Nini, here in our homeschool we teach about our Irish heritage. The kids all know about the Blarney Stone, the kissing wall at Blarney Castle, Patrick, the saint, the use of the shamrock to explain the Trinity, etc. We will be having Irish Stew with (gluten free) Irish soda bread for supper (if anyone hs any yummy Irish recipes, please share for next year!). As far as the "drunk aspect," we are not drinkers, and our children know nothing of this. Unfortunately, I would guess that much of the world uses any holidays they can as an excuse to get drunk any more. Perhaps that is cynical of me, but that is how it seems to me.
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| kysheeplady |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 2:16:06 PM
gee wiz ... Everybody is okay with the Easter bunny, taking center stage at Easter time.
The most holiest time in christian history, Christ has taken a back seat to the bunny and nobody seems to care.
Teri
"There are black sheep in every flock"
www.whitesheepfarm.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/whitesheepprimitive |
| Killarney |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 1:35:03 PM
I was in Ireland in 2011 and On St. Patrick's day there are more Shamrocks and Parades and leprechauns than in America! It is like Mardi Gras in America, but 10 times bigger!and every day in downtown Dublin, A costumed Leprechaun shakes hands with all the people passing by!
Our Tour guide, Billy and I, on our Jaunty Ride thru Killarney park, where the film Far and Away was made! Billy does an amazing Elvis Impersonation! The Irish people poke fun at themselves in all the pubs we went into!( I only ate, I don't drink at all, ever!) We met some amazing folks who made us feel so at home, I was there almost 2 weeks. I am Italian and My family has nothing to do with the mafia!.JPG)  The red wall of that cottage is in the amazing "Ring of Kerry" which should be #8, of the Wonders of the World!.JPG) St. Patrick's Cathedral took my breath away!! and the green, It is like no other! and yeah for St. Patrick, he drove out all the Snakes, There are no snakes, not a one anywhere in Ireland! My hubby's Granpaw came here from Ireland in the 1930's, He was a joy to be around, that is where my beautiful Holly got her red hair!! he passed away when my Holly was a baby! I wish she could have had him in her life longer to hear all the amazing stories of growing up in Killarney!
Connie
Imagine....#3392 |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 1:17:42 PM
Thank you for that history Nini, so much I didn't know and I appreciate it, I am a tiny bit of Irish and have always grown up with wearing of the green , Isn't gold the other color? What is the meaning of that as well? I saw that somewhere but they don't talk about that color at all.
I wish all a Happy St Patricks day, and just a wonderful day as it is.
blessings
darlene
I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.
by Frances Farmer
Just follow God unquestioningly.
Because you love Him so, for if you trust His judgment there is nothing you need to know.
I trust in you Jesus... |
| DandeeRose |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 1:04:16 PM
How awesome Nini!! I hope you don't mind if I borrow some of those ideas!
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
http://themostlycrunchyfarmgirl.wordpress.com
www.simplyaroma.com/aliciawinkler 100% certified therapeutic grade essential oils
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 12:44:59 PM
I guess I never thought of it the way you said it. I respect. I don't stereotype. But thanks for bringing up a subject others can be ignorant about. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| Annika |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 12:10:27 PM
It kind of sounds like I woke up on the wrong side of bed, when I reread this, but I do mean that we should be a bit more respectful =}
I know that other holidays are celebrated in more secular ways, and I even celebrate them so as well as others do, so I do see that most people mean no harm. I think it's the stereo-type presented that Irish people are all drunks that bugs me. I feel thin skinned for saying so, but there ya have it.
You must do the thing you think you cannot do
-Eleanor Roosevelt
She with the most chickens wins
Annika
Farmgirl & Sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
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| Ninibini |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 11:19:17 AM
That's awesome, Alicia! :)
I understand exactly where you're coming from, Annika. In our family, we celebrate St. Patrick and honor him in the way he should be honored. All that other stuff is hooey. The fun stuff does have its place, but not in any form where it makes a mockery of our Irish heritage or the veneration of our beloved Patron Saint, Patrick. That man was amazing and deserves every bit of veneration given to him. You would be shocked to hear some of the insane "truths" our son's friends have learned in school concerning St. Patrick. When our son was little, we hosted a fun St. Patrick's day party for him and a few friends, incorporating all sorts of historical facts with fun party games. We explained about the meaning of the clover when we doled out clover cookies; we had a race to see who could pull the snake out of Ireland fastest, but beforehand explained the truth behind Patrick and "the snakes;" we had a hot potato game played to traditional Irish folk music and when the music stopped, we talked about the famine...we kissed the Blarney Stone and told the history behind it; we had a game where you had to avoid getting caught in the "peat" marsh by hopping on one foot from shamrock to shamrock; and we even had a search for the pot of gold where the leprechaun left hidden messages in historical facts leading the kids from clue to clue... All sorts of neat things like that. And believe me, the kids had a blast and didn't even realize they were learning important truths that day. Many years later, I learned just how important that little party had been. I was blessed to overhear a conversation where one of our son's friends was correcting another friend concerning St. Patrick's "casting all the snakes out of Ireland." When he was done, he looked at me and said, "Isn't that right, Miss Nini?" Then turning back to his friend he proudly proclaimed, "That's what she taught us when we had a party when we were little." Turning back to me he said, "Remember the potatoes?" I grinned from ear-to-ear. What a thrill!
We are Catholic (although my family has both Catholic and Protestant Irish heritage, including "true" Catholic Irish and the formidable Black Irish, as my grandmother would say with a raised eyebrow. LOL! Green isn't the only color we wear on St. Patrick's day in this house! LOL! As Grandma would also say, "You're covered." LOL!), and I'm part Irish and Scottish with forebears having arrived right off the boat at Ellis Island. For us, this is a very special holiday indeed. In homeschool we do an all-day study about Ireland, St. Patrick, the history of the Irish in America, Irish cuisine, etc. every single year. So you're absolutely right: it really does cause a wince and a fist-shaking when, as with all other things holy, historic or just plain special, the world manages to find a way to sully the celebration and muddle the truth. Through our family celebrations and the oral traditions we keep the stories and meanings behind them alive. A favorite was one story my grandmother would incredulously tell about her grandmother who was so "stingy" that her pies were barely as thick as her pinky finger! (I can still see her face and hear her voice now, as she would raise her pinky finger and say, "Grandma's pies were only THIS THICK! And to her, a sliver was a SLIVER" LOL!) Of course, given the conditions in which the dear older woman was raised, that probably made sense to her to be so frugal. To my grandmother, however, it was a cold cruelty - she was a little girl, after all, and she was hungry! Whenever we tell this story, though, it opens up a wonderful dialogue about the famine in Ireland, how it began, the history behind it, how the severity and conditions under which people lived caused people to migrate to the New World, how they were received, the deplorable treatment they endured and conditions in which they lived... then inevitably we move on to the heroic (and to them, a necessary resort)Irish contribution in the mining industry and how their involvement in the fire departments came about, etc. It's amazing what is behind one simple story, and what the telling of that story can lead to. The same with food - food is an incredible resource on history. We tell stories through our food!
I guess what I'm trying to say is, we must not allow the world to re-write and revise our history, our heritage, our people, our Saint; we cannot allow it to water them down to the point of becoming mere legend or fairy tale, and definitely not to the point of a joke or laughing stock. In our family, we use this celebration of our beloved Patron Saint an opportunity for education, for the remembrance, celebration and honoring of our heritage and forebears; it is a celebration from whom and whence we came, and of all that we truly are. And I think we really do see a lot of that when we take a look at local St. Patrick's Day parades and celebrations. There's an awful lot of Irish pride there bursting out at the seams! But I totally understand and respect your decision, I do. I become extremely disheartened with some of the insanity people commit all in the name of St. Patrick and Ireland. But they do that at Christmas, Easter and so many other holidays, too. It's what WE do that keeps the truth - the profound nature and meaning - alive. No matter what you see happening out there, whatever you do, please do not let the world view and celebration jade you, sister. You are a beautiful daughter - a spiritual princess - of Celtic blood and heritage! You - and all that is good, holy and Irish - deserve to celebrate the wonderful mosaic of our heritage and its people. Keeping it true in our hearts and in our celebrations will keep the beauty and profound nature of the truth alive!
Big, warm Irish hugs to you today, and always! I just love your heart and your profoundly deep conviction about your Irish heritage! You're the best! Love you!
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| DandeeRose |
Posted - Mar 17 2014 : 10:01:46 AM
I understand. Here at our house, I just taught a lesson (I homeschool) about what the TRUE meaning of the day. We did have a bit of fun, too, b/c I have toddlers, and talked about rainbows. But my 11 yo got to learn about what a patron saint is (we aren't Catholic) and how a person becomes one and everyone will be learning more about Ireland this week!
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
http://themostlycrunchyfarmgirl.wordpress.com
www.simplyaroma.com/aliciawinkler 100% certified therapeutic grade essential oils
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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