camayanrita@gmail.comIrish Day celebration is Back on Track.
I, we, are Irish for a day in Erin and being here is so much fun. But whether you’re Irish or not, celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day is always a good idea. There are plenty of ways to embrace your inner Irish here.
Erin is a city in the county seat of Houston County, Tennessee. Houston County was established and named in honor of former Governor and hero, Sam Houston.
In 1863, this place used to be a camp of Irish railroad workers. Records say, the Irish living here declared that “the hills and creeks reminded them of their native Ireland and named this town Erin.” Today the town is also known as “Irish Town Tennessee.”
ℛℯ𝓁𝒾ℊ𝒾ℴ𝓃 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓂𝓅ℴ𝓇𝓉𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝒶𝓈𝓅ℯ𝒸𝓉 ℴ𝒻 ℐ𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝒸𝓊𝓁𝓉𝓊𝓇ℯ.
On March 17 each year, St Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of St Patrick, is celebrated in honor of the patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick. As well as the anniversary of his death in the fifth century.
It is a religious holiday meant to celebrate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and made official by the Catholic Church in the early 17th century.
𝒜 𝒩𝒶𝓉𝒾ℴ𝓃𝒶𝓁 ℋℴ𝓁𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓎 𝒾𝓃 ℐ𝓇ℯ𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹
… allowing Irish people to fully embrace the celebrations.
Thousands of people come together to drink, dress in green, eat traditional food from Ireland and generally celebrate Irish heritage. It’s all about tradition and lots of fun. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years.
𝒯𝓇𝒾𝓋𝒾𝒶
More than 100 St. Patrick’s Day parades are held across the United States. New York and Boston host the largest. It is a global celebration of Irish culture and heritage.
𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 𝒮𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓉 𝒫𝒶𝓉𝓇𝒾𝒸𝓀 𝒞ℯ𝓁ℯ𝒷𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾ℴ𝓃 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒽ℯ𝓁𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒰𝓃𝒾𝓉ℯ𝒹 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓉ℯ𝓈
Yes, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place not in Ireland but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.
S̲o̲m̲e̲ ̲p̲h̲r̲a̲s̲e̲s̲ ̲i̲n̲ ̲G̲a̲e̲l̲i̲c̲/̲I̲r̲i̲s̲h̲ ̲o̲n̲ ̲S̲t̲.̲ ̲P̲a̲t̲r̲i̲c̲k̲’̲s̲ ̲D̲a̲y̲.̲ ̲
The most common: Erin go braugh = Ireland forever
Slainte = good health/cheers
Slante Mhaith = “good health” and “let the good St. Patrick protect you and let the devil neglect you”.
𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝓃𝒶𝓉𝒾ℴ𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝒻𝓁𝒶ℊ ℴ𝒻 ℐ𝓇ℯ𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹
… also known as the Irish Tricolor, is an important symbol at parades, events and celebrations on St. Patrick’s Day. The green line means Irish Catholics and the orange one means Irish Protestants. The central white line also represents the hope for peace between the two groups.
As obvious as it is, green is the color of the day. Over the years, the color green has been used on a variety of Irish flags and symbols, coming to be closely associated with Irish national heritage. Some choose to wear costumes and hats. They join the festivities expressing a true Irish fashion.
𝒯𝒽ℯ𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓋ℯ 𝓈ℴ𝓂ℯ𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝒻ℴ𝓇 ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓇𝓎ℴ𝓃ℯ.
The Parade
Looking wide and from above, we are seeing the coming dazzling grand parade. Confetti has been thrown and blown – like stars in the night sky.
They celebrate by joining parades and dressing from head to toe in green, white and orange, the colors of the Irish flag.
Last May 3, 2022, was the State and County Primary Election for state judicial officers and county officers. They were there as well making the celebration more colorful and also a good way to reach the voters.
People took that special initiative and full enthusiasm in order to make it happen. It is an amazing community here.
The ancient Irish loved bright colors. Bright colors to them represent the sky, sea flowers, and living creatures.
Kids say, give me candies, please. A lot of Santa here granted their wishes. Watching them made me wanna go back to my kid self. No worries, no concerns and just happiness. And you know I am a chocolate fanatic and I gave up a lot of chocolates, but I’m not a quitter.
A wonderful carnival is set up on Front Street.
Lots of food and craft vendors can be found in Erin Square.
There is entertainment on the Erin Square Stage.
There is a Queen of the 2022 Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade
𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝓈𝓎𝓂𝒷ℴ𝓁𝓈 ℴ𝒻 𝒮𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓉 𝒫𝒶𝓉𝓇𝒾𝒸𝓀’𝓈 𝒟𝒶𝓎
Four leaf clover
The four-leaf clover is a rare variation of the common three-leaf clover. According to traditional sayings, such clovers bring good luck. It takes a rare genetic mutation to get that extra leaf which is why it is so difficult to find a four-leaf clover. As I am a believer in hard work and luck, the more I do and believe in it, the more I’ll find it. Let us keep believing.
Leprechauns
A leprechaun is a small supernatural being in Irish folklore. They are usually pictured as little bearded men, wearing a coat and hat;
The Shamrock.
Shamrocks have three leaves. For each petal on the shamrock brings a wish your way. It is said to have used as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity. The leaves of shamrock shower us with the Irish blessing.
May your troubles be less
and your blessings be more and nothing
but happiness come through your door.
𝒜𝓃 ℐ𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝒫𝓇𝒶𝓎ℯ𝓇
May God give you, for every storm, a rainbow
For every tear, a smile
For every care, a promise
And a blessing in each trial
For every problem life sends. A faithful friend to share.
For every sigh, a sweet song
And an answer for each prayer.
Thanks for reading.
