Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to You!
(pronounced, roughly: /lah leh PAH-drig SUN-uh gwitch/.)St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite days. I wear green (duh!) Don my favorite Celtic jewelry, and make my yearly Irish Soda Bread. Want to stop by for tea?
I thought I would share a few St. Patrick's Day tidbits with you because you just never know when you'll be quizzed on this. lol So feel free to take notes.
St. Patrick's Day Tidbits You Gotta Know:
Wearing the Green
Did you know blue not green was the color originally associated with St. Patrick?
On Ireland's Presidential Standard (flag) “St Patrick’s Blue” is used. It wasn't until the 18th century when 'wearing the Green' came about. Most likely it was used as a symbol of sympathy for Irish independence.
The legend of the Shamrock:
In an attempt to explain the three-in-one principle of the Holy Trinity to the pagan King Laoghaire (pronounced Leary), St. Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock as his aid.
Four-leafed shamrocks or four-leaf clover: The Irish have a tradition that says if someone finds one by accident they will have good luck. The leaves stand for: Faith, Hope, Love, and Luck. The Irish believe that finding a four-leaf clover is LUCKY but finding one with 5 or more is UNLUCKY.
Druids believed when they carried a shamrock with them, they would be able to see evil spirits and would be able to avoid them. They believed the four-leaf clovers guarded them against bad luck and offered magical protection.
Why do we celebrate St. Patrick's Day on MARCH 17th?
St. Patrick died on this day and it is his recognition as the Patron Saint of Ireland. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is a religious day. Of course there's praying, singing and dancing.
Pinches for Not Wearing Green
Look around you and see if you spot someone not wearing green. It is tradition to pinch someone who forgets to wear green on St. Patrick's Day, but only if you're wearing green. However beware: If you pinch someone who is wearing green then that person may pinch you back ten times!
Leprechaun Mischief
Leprechauns are known as guardians of ancient treasure, left by Danes as they marauded through Ireland, burying it in crocks or pots. Leprechauns regard mortals as foolish, flighty, and greedy creatures. The legend: If you catch a leprechaun, he will promise you great riches if you set him free. Make sure you do not take your eyes off him until he does. In a blink of an eye, he can vanish.
The Leprechaun carries two pouches. In one he keeps a magical silver shilling that returns to the pouch each time it is given away. In the other pouch, he carries a gold coin that he uses to bribe his way out of situations. The gold coin turns to leaves or ash once the leprechaun gives it away.
Favorite Irish Movies:
The Quiet Man (John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara)
Tristan and Isolde (starring James Franco and Sophia Myles)
Darby O'Gill and The Little People (starring Sean Connery, Albert Sharpe, Janet Munro)
The Matchmaker (starring Janeane Garofalo and David O'Hara)
Far and Away (starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman)
The Luck of The Irish (starring Tyrone Power and Anne Baxter)
Leap Year (starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode)
Favorite Irish Books:
Books by Morgan Llywelyn
Finn Mac Cool
Druid
Bard
Lions of Ireland
Price of Lions
Grania (She King of the Irish Seas)
Favorite Irish authors:
Oscar Wilde- The Picture of Dorian Gray
Bram Stoker- Dracula
Darren Shan- Cirque du Freak YA series
Favorite Irish Sayings:
Beagán agus a rá go maith.
Be (e as in echo) gawn og us uh rah go (as in going) mah.
Say little but say it well.
Irish Artists/Celtic Music: (Click on the name for samples of their music)
Ryan O'Shaughnessy
The Script
Great Big Sea
Brick Top Blaggers
Flogging Molly
Gaelic Storm
Irish Actors
Aiden Turner
Ewan McGregor (I've been corrected. He's Scottish! But he did play an Irish writer: James Joyce in a movie.) Hee hee--close enough don't you think? :)
Liam Neeson
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (born Jonathan Michael Francis O'Keefe)
Colin Farrell
Pierce Brosnan
Cillian Murphy
Gabriel Byrne
Stuart Townsend
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
3 cups of all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup of dried currents (optional)
1 tablespoon of caraway seed (optional) (This has a strong taste think rye bread)
1 egg (lightly beaten)
2 cups of buttermilk (you can substitute by adding 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to whole milk.)
1/4 cup butter (melted)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease bread pan or use a nonstick spray.
- Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda, (caraway seed and currents). In a separate bowl, blend egg and buttermilk together, and then add it to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack.
****MY CONTEST here at KMN Books: It's easy. Answer at least one of the questions below and leave your email and you are entered to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card. I will choose one LUCKY winner! May the Luck of the Irish be with you!
1. What's your favorite Irish themed movie?
2. What's your favorite Irish themed book?
3. Favorite Irish Author?
4. Favorite Irish Actor?
5. Do you have a favorite Irish recipe?
FREE READS ARE MY POT OF GOLD. HOW ABOUT YOU?St. Patrick's Day Free Book. Offer good: March 13th to March 17th! (Psst...the freebie days are over, but for a short time it will listed for 99 cents.)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BSWORN0
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A vampire, a werewolf and a Necromancer, are a most unlikely team, but Garran, Harrison and Isabella plan on putting a kink in the dubbed Soul Taker’s plans. It’s personal now. One of their friends has fallen victim to the Soul Taker’s charms, but to stop him from hurting anyone else, their efforts may involve raising the dead.
Don't forget to HOP ON OVER to the other blogs for more Lucky Prizes!
http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/p/lucky-in-love-hop.html
There are TWO GRAND PRIZES. You as a reader can hop to each blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win these grand prizes. Yep, you got it, you can enter over 200 times!
The Grand prizes are:
1st Grand Prize: $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
2nd Grand Prize: Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, eBooks, Over 50 bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies and more!
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ST. PATICK'S DAY READS?
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ST. PATICK'S DAY READS?
71 comments:
Ooh, Darby O'Gill, certainly. I watched that over and over as a kid. I've always had a thihg for Connnery.
Thanks for the contest ~ Cia
anordwell(@)live.com
I love Leap Year with Amy Adams.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com
What's your favorite Irish themed movie? I agree with you, The Quiet Man was an excellent film.
Thanks for taking part in this hop.
kareninnc at gmail dot com
I don't know if the books are the same. You mentioned Finn Mac Cool, but the book of adventures stories my parents read to me as a child was Finn And His Warrior Band. In it, the Irishman, Finn McCole and his warriors run into one adventure after another until the end where a spell is put on them as they lay sleeping in a cave. One blast of the horn and they will rise again. I loved the stories filled with strange creatures, witches and mermaids. I named my first dog, a Scotty, after Finn.
I loved all the movies you mentioned. I especially liked The Matchmaker and The Quiet Man.
My birthday (and my dad's) was the day after Saint Patrick's Day so I always considered St. Patty's Day as part of the celebration.
All the best to you, Karen.
starcriter at yahoo dot com
i love the author darren shan! for the author i would pick pearce brosman^^
thank you a lot!
happy St Patrick's day
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
@Cia Darby O'Gill is such a cute movie. :) Thanks for hopping by. :)
Magic,
Leap Year was so cute and romantic! Loved it, too!
Hi Karen H!
Great name. lol John Wayne was great in all his movies. :)
Hi Sarah!
Your story about Finn McCool sounds interesting. The one I mentioned is a historical read. It's really good, too.
You like the same movies I do. We could have movie night. lol
I wish you the very best, too!!
Miki,
Oh a fellow Darren Shan fan. I loved his series!! I read the entire series to my son and daughter. We couldn't wait until the next book came out. Matter of fact, we didn't wait for the books to hit the States, we bought them from an online book store in Ireland and one in Australia. lol
Thanks for coming by.
Leap Year is my favorite irish movie. Thanks for being in the blog hop.
Sue B
like the Far and away movie
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Leprechaun. Though, it's not kid friendly by any means. I grew up watching horror movies in the 80's and 90's.
I like the legend of the Blarney Stone. :)
bidelia78@yahoo.com
I love Colin Farrell ever since he first started acting
xo_veronica16[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks for participating in the hop.
wendy_pogrant@yahoo.com
Not sure I can think of movies that fit that bill right now.
miztik_rose@yahoo.com
@katsrus Wasn't Leap Year a cute movie? Loved it!
Thanks so much for stopping by. :)
@bn100The Book Far and Away was good, too. :)
@kittyb78Just the preview of Leprechaun scared me. lol
@veRONIcaColin Farrell has a new movie coming out soon.I bet you're going to see it. :)
@kittyb78I like the legend of the Blarney Stone, too. :)
@wpograntYou're welcome. Thanks for popping in to say hi. :)
@Mary KirklandNo worries. There's plenty to choose from listed here. :)
Emma Donoghue is my favorite Irish author.
Thanks for the giveaway!
by.evie at yahoo dot com dot br
Evie,
Thanks so much for stopping by!
-What's your favorite Irish themed book? Nora Roberts' Irish and Born In Trilogies
- Favorite Irish Actor? Pierce Brosnan and Colin Farrell
anasmith1919 at gmail dot com
I have seen all of those films but not read all of those books - my bad.
As for recipes, I make my Mum's recipe which wouldn't be popular over here because it's basically a lamb and parsley stew - my American born kids hate it too, so we compromise with shortbread [don't forget the semolina to make it really 'short' and crunchy, a a little green coloring to toast the Irish.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Thanks for the recipe it sounds interesting.
MinDaf @aol.com
I love Leap Year. It is so cute.
@Ana SmithI forgot about Nora Roberts. I've read Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy. I enjoyed the stories. :)
@MaddyI'm not crazy about lamb either. lol
Shortbread-- yum!
@Crystal BenedictI hope you enjoy the soda bread. :)
@kchorakI loved it, too. I like 'cute'!
I like any of Nora Robert's Irish stories.
Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
I'm not really crazy about Irish recipes (I'm a vegetarian), but I do like Irish Soda Bread. Favorite Irish Actors are Kenneth Branagh and Pierce Brosnan. You didn't mention music, but I love U2 and my teen daughter is obsessed with Irishman Niall Horan from One Direction.
kesummer69(at)gmail(dot)com
Stuart Townsend. Crossing my fingers that his TV pilot gets picked up for the fall.
bituin76 at hotmail dot com
I make a Dublin Coddle that is wonderful in the winter! and a Guinness stew, and lots o other recipes with Guinness! The only Irish type movie I can think of is Boondock Saints! Love that movie :)
Happy St. Patrick's Day
staceyprice(AT)gmail.com
Collin Farrel is my favorite actor! I enjoyed reading this post so much! thanks for sharing the Irish traditions!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com
I adore Ewan McGregor! I could listen to him all day :) Thanks for the giveaway!
~Krista
pinkbonanza{ AT }gmail{ DOT }com
@NatashaNora Robert's books are entertaining!
My favorite Irish movie is THE QUIET MAN. I loved the beautiful scenery and the colorful characters.
Yes I have a good recipe for Irish bread.
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com
@Kelsey SummerOh but I did mention music. What's St. Patrick's Day without music, I tell ye?
Here's the list:
Irish Artists/Celtic Music: (Above you can Click on the name for samples of their music).
Ryan O'Shaughnessy
The Script
Great Big Sea
Brick Top Blaggers
Flogging Molly
Gaelic Storm
Now how did I miss U2. I debated about adding One Direction. I knew Niall Horan is Irish, but none of the others are. lol. My daughter loves lads, too. I actually like their music, too. :)
@Kelsey SummerOh but I did mention music. What's St. Patrick's Day without music, I tell ye?
Here's the list:
Irish Artists/Celtic Music: (Above you can Click on the name for samples of their music).
Ryan O'Shaughnessy
The Script
Great Big Sea
Brick Top Blaggers
Flogging Molly
Gaelic Storm
Now how did I miss U2. I debated about adding One Direction. I knew Niall Horan is Irish, but none of the others are. lol. My daughter loves lads, too. I actually like their music, too. :)
@JanD
Stuart Townsend-- I hope his TV pilot gets picked up, also. :)
@Stacey Price I forgot about the Boondock Saints movies. My daughters liked these!!
@VeronikaSo glad you enjoyed the post. :) Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
@KristaEwan does have a great speaking voice-- and singing voice, too. :)
Pierce Brosnan is so cute and Irish!
susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com
@susanmpPierce Brosnan is cute!
Fav Irish actor is definitely Pierce Brosnan. I loved him as James Bond.
Thanks for the giveaway!
anasmithblue At gmail DOT com
I loved Darby OGill, watched it with my father when i was a kid :)
Happy St Patty's Day!
Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
Hands down, Liam Neeson! Whom I've affectionately been calling "Dad" (not after watching "Taken", but "Love Actually"!)
supersatchmo at myopera dot com
I love "Leap Year" with Amy Adams!
Thanks for the great giveaway and for joining the hop!!!!
Ashley A
ash_app(at)hotmail(dot)com
erm, you're trying to trick us, aren't ya? Ewan McGregor is Scottish, not Irish ;)
Oh...
So much Irish in this post! LOVE IT.
fav Irish actor is Colin Farrell without a doubt.
fav Irish movie is The Commitments
fav Irish author is Cecelia Ahern
Loved this post! Thanks for adding a bit of Irish to my Monday morning SMOOCHES!
@JoAnne KenrickOh my, you are right. Ewan McGregor is Scottish. Does it count if he played an Irish author James Joyce? lol
@Ashley Applebee Loved Leap Year! Too cute!
@SatchmoLiam Neeson--nice choice.
Wasn't the movie 'Taken' intense!
@FroggyI watched Darby O'Gill with my father also. He loved movies with a wee bit of magic. :)
@Mimi SmithI liked Pierce Brosnan as Bond, too. Heck, I liked him the Thomas Crown Affair and Laws of Attraction. Besides his singing, I liked him in Mamma Mia! Sorry Pierce. You're cute, but a singer you are not. lol
Boondock Saints all the way. All that yummy man on display!!!
planterofhope at aol dot com
My favorite Irish food is Corned Beef and Cabbage. My favorite Irish dish to make is Shepherd's Pie with beef. YUM!
Thanks for the giveaway.
divajeffersonATgmailDOTcom
I am lucky in love mrsbrinius@comcast.net thanks!
Lucky or not, I am blessed. I have found my soul mate. It too 41 years to find him. But he was and is worth the wait.
Thanks for being in the Happy St. Patrick’s Day blog hop.
Hope ya’ll St. Patrick’s Day was great!
Keep writing so I can keep reading.
roya-clan@sbcglobal.net
The Boondock Saints!!!! I adore that movie!
-Amber
goodblinknpark(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
My favorite actor is Colin Farrell.
Thanks for the chance to win. Happy Saint Patty’s Day!
Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com
I don't have any favorite Irish things :) though your book list looks paranormal.. might have to look some of those titles out... I actually was just eyeing the Irish Bread recipe to see if I had what it takes to make some... but I'm missing a few ingredients lol :)
Hope you had a great St. Patricks Day! And thank you for participating in this awesome hop! :)
swtlilangel4c at yahoo dot com
Used to love Celtic Thunder for music, but the groups has changed a few members and are singing different songs these days. They are still good, but not drop-everything-to-listen great anymore.
I do try to find the time to reread Mari Carr's Wild Irish series before the day, but didn't manage to this year.
carolcobun @ yahoo.com
My favorite Irish movie is Leap Year.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
Fav irish movie... definitely "Waking Ned Devine." What a great giveaway hop! I have yet to be lucky in love but I'm working on it. My favorite love book is "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. Jamie Fraser is amazing and beautiful. I enjoy St. Patty's Day and this year I'm spending it with my best friend. We're going to two Irish Pubs and also some dance clubs. I am also wearing green and am not a fan of getting pinched. I'm not Irish either, but many people think I am because my hair is red, my eyes green and my name is Meghan, but I'm not at all. I won't be telling anybody that, however… let them believe I'm Irish.
Thanks for the giveaway!
mestith at gmail dot com
My favorite recipe is a ture Irish stew with lamb. Made in a dutch cast iron pot. movie- Darby O'Gill and the little people. Actor- Pearce Brosnan. I have not found a favorite irish book yet.
Judy P
strawberryrose@earthlink.net
Thank you everyone for commenting and joining us for the hop!!
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