HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY CANADIAN STYLE

The Irish celebrate their day not only in Ireland but around the world. Irish people immigrated throughout the centuries to many far lands. One of them of course was Canada as well the United States. Many multi-generational Canadians like I am have some Irish blood from their ancestors. About three of my great parent family lines originate from Ireland. Locally, there was a St. Patrick's Day parade in Toronto on Sunday March 13. Many bars and pubs across the country will serve green beer. Dinners could include Irish dishes like Irish Stew made mostly with lamb. Although the cook could improvise and use beef. The Irish had a great influence on the Canadian way of life that can be seen from our history. A modern writer, Ken McGoogan has written books about the creation of the nation. he talks about the Celtic influence. His first book - How the Scots invented Canada has been followed by - Celtic Lightning:How the Scots and the Irish created a Canadian Nation. I am currently perusing and reading these volumes. The bottom line is the Scottish and Irish immigrants came to our great nation with values. McGoogan let's the reader know that the five main values of Independence, Democracy, Pluralism, Audacity and Perseverance are fundamental to the Canadian way of life. So celebrating today the Celtic roots of St. Patrick are very Canadian too. Wear some green, have some fun even if you are not Irish. Someone around you will have a little Irish in them!

 Or maybe find a lovely Shamrock plant at your local market! Watch out for that rainbow, there may be a pot of gold at the end! Top o'the morning' to you!

EVERYONE CAN BE IRISH ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY

St. Patrick's Day- time to bring out your green if you have any. The story of St. Patrick is well known. Irish like other cultures immigrated to the far corners of the world. There are many decendants in North America.
In our family there are Irish roots- great-grandfather and great-great grandmother on my mother's side and some temporary Irish roots on my father's side-actually Palatine Irish.

I do not have many green pieces of clothing. Just some shamrock ear rings and a button or two. Lots of coloured tights but none of them green. No green beer in the house. But will some Rapini do. A little Italian but like the Irish the Italians travelled to many parts of the world. With real Celtic blood, I can boast some Irish, English and Palatine German roots so it is a day to celebrate our heritage. How about you? Do you have some Irish roots? Anyway with Irish roots or not, a day with food and good cheer is worth celebrating. So just join in the fun!!

ST PATRICK'S DAY EVEN FOR THE LITTLE IRISH

There are many Irish descendants in the world. Actually more than actually live in Ireland today. In my family we have about 3/8 Irish roots in our Canadian heritage. Irish are one of the main groups in Canadian history. Their perserverance and hard work founded our country. In the Toronto harbour there is a small Irish park honouring those who came to the city and died from illness on their many journeys in the 1840s to find a new life in Canada. As you raise your glass of "green beer' today, says cheers to the Irish!

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY

To those with Irish blood and those who like the Irish. Like other cultural groups the Irish immigrated to many parts of the world. Here in Canada, where I have some Irish roots, many settled in Toronto and the outlaying counties in Ontario. Do you have any Irish roots? Where did your folks settle?