Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh - Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Well now, today is Saint Patrick's Day, the day all Irish people and those who wish they were Irish celebrate the wearin' o the green, drink Guinness (made by Arthur Guinness, who founded the brewery in Dublin in 1759) and have a rip snortin' good time.

Above: St Ali Loos Sth Melbourne

Not having a recent photo of one of the many Irish pubs around Melbourne, I searched for all things green and came up with this -

Why is St. Patrick's Day celebrated on the 17th of March? Because that is the date of his death back in 461 Anno Domini. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early seventeenth century and commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland as well as celebrating the heritage and culture of the Irish. I myself have a Shillalah - an Irish walking stick or cudgel, very handy for knocking heads about! I must take a photo and post it up one day.


I leave you with this Irish blessing:

May your days be long and filled with happiness
May your children be many and full of health
And may you live in peace and harmony.
Today's quote: I come from an Irish family. St. Patrick's Day was our big holiday. The night before we'd hang up our stockings and in the morning they'd be full of beer ~ Sean Morey.

Sláinte

Theme Day ~ People on the Street

Anyone for a Beer?

Above: Outside the Leinster Arms

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, what better than sitting outside a local pub downing the amber fluid with a few mates? Convivial conversation, relaxed atmosphere, these blokes have the right idea.

Hidden in the quiet back streets of Collingwood, the Leinster Arms is a well-loved and popular favourite with locals. Built in 1863, it's the only single storey pub ever built in that era and has an "Irish" feel to it.


Today's quote: There's nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street - Willie Stargell.


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