The Love of St. Patricks Day in the U. S

St. Patrick was a Christian missionary, known as the patron saint of Ireland. He is remembered for converting the Irish, who were mostly Pagans, to Christianity. St. Patrick's Day March 17 is the date he died in AD 493.

Throughout Ireland, St. Patrick established monasteries, schools and churches. By the end of the 7th century he had become a legendary figure. One Legend is that Saint Patrick, drove all the snakes from Ireland into the sea to drown.

St. Patrick's Day March 17, is a celebrated national holiday in Ireland. In the United States, St. Patrick's Day is a celebration of Irish culture, although not an official holiday in the U.S. It gives everyone a chance to "be Irish" for the day, no matter what nationality they are.

Many Saint Patrick's Day parades are held through-out the U.S. to celebrate the holiday. People in the United States love celebrating Saint Patrick's Day, wearing green, eating Irish food and drinking green beer.

Some things that are associated with celebrating St. Patrick's Day are the Shamrock, leprechauns and pot of gold. The Irish legend of leprechauns, is a tiny shoemaker that possess's a hidden pot of gold. If one captures a leprechaun they will get to keep the treasure. The Shamrock is the symbol for Ireland and is a badge to be worn on the Saint's feast day. In the United States we use the Shamrock, Leprechaun and pot of gold as symbols of good-luck on St. Patrick's Day.

In my home we always have a corned beef boiled dinner to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, served with ice cold beer with green food coloring. Shamrock and leprechaun decorations abound around the house, hoping to have some "Luck Of The Irish."And of course everyone wears something green, a shirt, hat or just a green shamrock pinned on.

Irish Corned Beef Boiled Dinner

Ingredients :

A brisket of corned beef

1 clove garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1 can onion broth

4 whole peppercorns

6 medium potatoes, chunked

1/2 cup celery cut into pieces

1/4 teaspoon rosemary, crushed

5 carrots, cut into pieces

1 medium green cabbage, cut into wedges

3 tablespoons flour

3 tablespoons water

Preparation :