Today is St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a bit of history, some fun facts, and great ideas for how and where to spend your day!
A Bit O’History
St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17 because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed that he died on March 17 in the year 461 AD.
What color is St. Patrick’s Day? Why, green, of course! But not originally. It was actually blue! No way! Yep – the Order of St. Patrick was established in 1783 as the senior order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Ireland. The color associated with the honor had to be different from other Orders of that time, namely, the Order of the Garter which was dark blue and the Order of the Thistle which was green. So the Order of St. Patrick went with a lovely shade of sky blue. Green became associated with St. Patrick’s Day during the 19th century. Green, in Irish legends, was worn by fairies and immortals, and also by people to encourage their crops to grow.
A Bit O’Fun Facts
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14.
One estimate suggests that there are about 10,000 regular three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover. (I wonder who researches these things and if they get paid to do so!)
Guess what? St.Patrick wasn’t Irish! Ha! He was born in Scotland because that’s where his mother was from!
Uh-OH! According to the Irish, if a black cat crosses your path in the moonlight, you will die in an epidemic. Yikes! I HAVE a black cat! Think I’ll stay in tomorrow night.
A Bit O’Great Ideas
Follow the ‘Smoke to the Oak’ and enjoy Corned Beef dishes at Oak & Embers Tavern in Chesterland for their St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza. Facebook event details here.
Travel O’bit further to Cleveland and check out these events:
147th Cleveland Parade which starts at 1:04 p.m. at the intersection of Superior Ave. and East 18th St.
Click HERE for a long list of other events happening around Northeast Ohio.
If you decide you want to stay home for some family fun, how about trying these!
Cute and yummy, these goodies will surely turn your kiddo’s a little leprechaunish green – at least around the mouth! Thanks to our writer Sheryl Gusler from In the Kitchen with Sheryl, and her friend Robin for this tasty recipe.
Shamrocks
- Cover a cookie sheet with waxed or parchment paper.
- Spread pretzels out in a single layer.
- Top each pretzel with a Hershey’s kiss.
- Place in a 200 degree oven until kiss has softened and slightly melted.
- *time for this depends on your own oven.
- Remove from oven and immediately place three green m&m’s on each kiss.
- Place in the fridge until chocolate firms up.
- Remove from fridge. Make the stem by adding a line of green frosting.
- *canned green frosting with decorating tips works great.
And now for A Bit O’ Famous Irish Sayings!
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures”
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal”
“Dance as if no one’s watching, sing as if no one’s listening, and live everyday as if it were your last”
“A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have”
“The best looking-glass is the eyes of a friend”
“Continual cheerfulness is a sign of wisdom”
May the road rise to meet you!
(or – may success be with you!)
~the staff at Geauga News