HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY TO EVERYONE

IRISH BLESSINGS

May you always have walls for the winds,

A roof for the rain,

Tea beside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all your heart might desire!

May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead!

May your neighbors respect you,

Troubles neglect you,

The angels protect you,

And Heaven accept you.

May you have:

A world of wishes at your command

God and his angels close at hand

Friends and family their love impart,

And Irish blessings in you heart.

May God grant you many years to live,

For sure he must be knowing

The earth has angels all to few

And Heaven is overflowing.

Dance as if no one were watching,

Sing as if no one were listening,

And live every day as if it were your last.

One of the greatest Irish festivals, St. Patrick's Day or Paddy's Day commemorates the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. A festive day for the Irish people, St. Patrick's Day is a festive public holiday the Republic of Ireland.

THE MAGIC SHAMROCK Three is Ireland's magic number. Hence the Shamrock. Crone, Mother and Virgin. Love, Valour and Wit.. Faith, Hope and Charity. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Numbers played an important role in Celtic symbolism. Three was the most sacred and magical number. It multiplies to nine, which is sacred to Brigit. Three may have signified totality: past, present and future OR behind, before and here OR sky, earth and underworld.

Everything good in Ireland comes in threes. The rhythm of story telling in the Irish tradition is based on threefold repetition. This achieves both intensification and exaggeration. Even today in quality pub talk, a raconteur can rarely resist a third adjective, especially if it means stretching a point. "Three accomplishments well regarded in Ireland: a clever verse, music on the harp, the art of shaving faces."

THE LEPRECHAUN-The Leprechaun is an Irish fairy. He looks like a small, old man (about 2 feet tall), often dressed like a shoemaker, with a cocked hat and a leather apron. According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live alone, and pass the time making shoes. They also possess a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If caught, he can be forced (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure, but the captor must keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun (and he often tricks them into looking away), he vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.

Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree live mystical, magical leprechaunswho are clever as can be with their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of green. The leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen. Only those who really believe have seen these little elves and if we are all believers we can surely see for ourselves.(Irish Blessing)