Hoist a frosty green brew: What’s up with that?

From our friends at Wikipedia:

The Irish Society of Boston organized what was the first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in the colonies on 17 March 1737. The first celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756, and New York’s first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was held on 17 March 1762 by Irish soldiers in the British Army. In 1780, General George Washington, who commanded soldiers of Irish descent in the Continental Army, allowed his troops a holiday on 17 March “as an act of solidarity with the Irish in their fight for independence.” This event became known as The St. Patrick’s Day Encampment of 1780. Today, Saint Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated in America by Irish and non-Irish alike.

Some Irish wit and wisdom:

A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.

-Author Unknown

Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don’t want to press your luck.

- Author Unknown

When after the Winter alarmin’,

The Spring steps in so charmin’,

So fresh and arch

In the middle of March,

Wid her hand St. Patrick’s arm on…

-Alfred Percival Graves

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.
-Irish blessing

May luck be our companion
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland’s faith and pride.
May God bless us with happiness
May love and faith abide.
-Irish blessing

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

-Irish blessing

An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto one blade of grass to keep from falling off the earth.

-Irish saying

OK, that should equip everyone with a bit of history and enough Irish aphorisms to hoist a few toasts tonight in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, a major Irish holiday celebrated by the Irish all over the world. All of us non-Irish can wear a bit of the ‘ole green today and just pretend we are Irish for a day.

Be responsible with your merry-making, and I’ll see you all next week at www.redbullindianapolisgp.com

Greg