11. Symbols of Ireland
The shamrock, or “seamroy,” symbolizes
the rebirth of spring.
It was later adopted as a symbol of Irish
nationalism.
12. The Celtic Cross
A sun (from the Celts) super-imposed on
a cross (from the Christians)
13. The Leprechaun
The leprechaun, or “lobaircin” means
“small-bodied fellow”.
They were responsible for mending the
shoes of other fairies in Celtic folktales.
It was given its “cute” features and
popularized in the United States by Walt
Disney.
14. The Flag of Ireland
Green—people of the south
Orange—people of the north
White—symbolizes the peace
that brings them together
16. Legends of Irish Culture
Leprechauns are unfriendly and possess
a pot of gold.
They are also magic
and can grant
wishes.
17. If you find a Leprechaun, you can
trick him into showing you his gold.
The gold is hidden at the
end of a rainbow.
18. But if you don’t watch the
leprechaun very carefully…
He and the gold will disappear!
19. Some say that St. Patrick drove all
the snakes out of Ireland…
But St. Patrick never drove snakes from
Ireland
The story is a metaphor for
driving paganism from the
island
20. Four Leaf Clover
If you find a four-leaf clover you will have
good luck.
21. St. Patrick’s Day
Traditions and Celebrations
The first St. Patty’s day parade occurred when
Irish soldiers in the British Army marched
through New York City on March 17th, 1762.
22. Chicago river turns green!
The Chicago River has been dyed green
every year since 1962.
23. Traditional Food
The rules of Lent are waived and people
traditionally eat Irish bacon and
cabbage.
In the USA, Irish bacon has been
replaced with corned beef for the
annual feast.
24. Traditional song of Ireland
Danny Boy
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are
calling
From glen to glen, and down the
mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the roses
falling
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
25. But come ye back when summer's in the
meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with
snow
'Tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
And when you come, and all the flowers are
dying
If I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
26. And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to
me.
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to
me.
And I shall rest in peace until you come to me.
Oh, Danny Boy, Oh, Danny Boy, I love you
so.
27. Wear Green!
People wear green clothes in honor of
Ireland.
44. Stellar English School
What?
Theme: Journalism
When?
Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1
Who?
Pupils of the 7th-11th forms
Where?
Kremenchuk Teacher’s Training School
How to register?
Call 77-52-10 by March 26
45. Poltava Youth Leadership
Conference
When?
July 3-7
Who?
Pupils - 9th and 10th forms
Where?
Poltava Institute of Economics and Law
How much?
Free!
Ask Andrea or James about how to apply
46. Camp Republic
What?
Weeklong summer camp
for university students/*High-level of English
necessary
Where?
Borova, Kharkiv oblast
When?
July 22-28
For an application or questions, contact
republiccamp@gmail.com
Notas del editor
Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick's Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Last year, close to one million people took part in Ireland 's St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks shows.
At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity.
After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice-which he believed to be God's-spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland.
Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission-to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish.
Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish.
In fact the first written mention of this story did not appear until nearly a thousand years after Patrick's death.The shamrock, which was also called the "seamroy" by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. As the English began to seize Irish land and make laws against the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule.
The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is "lobaircin," meaning "small-bodied fellow.“Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies, tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Though only minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much-fabled treasure.Leprechauns had nothing to do with St. Patrick or the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, a Catholic holy day. In 1959, Walt Disney released a film called Darby O'Gill & the Little People, which introduced America to a very different sort of leprechaun than the cantankerous little man of Irish folklore. This cheerful, friendly leprechaun is a purely American invention, but has quickly evolved into an easily recognizable symbol of both St. Patrick's Day and Ireland in general.
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years.
On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.