Pots of gold. Four leaf clovers. Lots of Guinness. Little leprechauns. Green clothes. Joyous shindigs with friends and family... St Patrick's Day or Paddys Day is one of the greatest Irish festivals, which commemorates the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who was believed to have brought Christianity to the Irish. It's also supposed he drove the snakes from the country.
St Patrick’s Day Greetings Cards
St Patrick's Day is also marked with a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, and across many parts of the world. But it's also a holiday, imbued with magic, fantasy and the belief that with a little luck, anything is possible.
As we know it, this merry day involves a great deal of alcohol. But where did this custom come from? As one old Irish legend would have it, St Patrick was served a measure of whisky that was by far less than full. So St Patrick took this chance to teach the stingy innkeeper a lesson. He warned the innkeeper that a monstrous devil lurked in his cellar, who fed on the dishonesty of the innkeeper. But in order to drive out the devil, he must amend his ways.
When St Patrick revisited the inn some time later, he found the owner generously filling the patrons' glasses to the brim. He returned to the cellar with the innkeeper, to find the devil thin and withered from the landlord's generosity, and promptly cast out the demon, announcing that from then on, everyone should have a drop of the 'hard stuff' on his feast day.
Most of you have probably heard of, or tried out 'Pota Phadraig' or 'Patrick's Pot' whereby the leaf of the shamrock plant is placed in the whisky before downing the shot. Saint Patrick told the people that the shamrock was like the idea of the Trinity - that in the one God, there are three divine beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
St Patrick Day falls on March 17th 2011, and those observing this occasion will have more luck keeping their Pot of Gold by shopping online for reasonably priced gifts that the whole family can enjoy! Top o' the morning to ye!
Spread the Irish spirit of St Patricks Day with everyone you love and get the merrymaking started in style by choosing a bottle of personalised whisky, featuring the name of your dear one, and even your own personal message. Or celebrate with a personalised bottle of wine, bubbly or vodka.
If they prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, how about an Irish Flag mug, decorated with their name and beverage choice? Have a tree planted for them in Northern Ireland by Tree Appeal, or if you fancy a quick getaway to the land of the leprechauns to celebrate the occasion, there are masses of options on offer.
Golf and spa lovers can rejuvenate on a Temple Spa & Golf break in Ireland's beautiful County Westmeath... Adrenaline junkies can experience a pure adrenaline rush as they take to the skies in a helicopter or Microlight aircraft. Those with a need for speed will experience off-roading, quad bike style, as they race around a tough track or rugged Irish terrain of woodland.
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