There is only a week until St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, and even though we’re living through a pandemic, you still need to celebrate. You won’t be attending any parades, but there are things you can do to feel just a little Irish, and they don’t involve dressing in green, stumbling around like a drunken fool or screaming “Erin go Bragh!” (Ireland Forever!)
Let’s set the mood by cranking out the tunes of some Irish bands. My two favorites are U2 and The Cranberries. As most people know, Ireland is actually two countries, Northern Ireland and Ireland, and while a humor column is not a place to explore ‘the why,’ I suggest you start your musical adventure by blasting U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” from its War album and then move on to The Joshua Tree. In between U2 songs, spend some time listening to The Cranberries, best known for “Linger” from its debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It … Are you starting to feel like you could be a Murphy or Kelly?
Next step, if you are a reader, it is time to pick up a book with some Irish flavor. Try James Joyce’s collection of 15 short stories in Dubliners or the recently published novel Guest List by Lucy Foley, which takes place off the coast of Ireland. And if you really are oh so curious about ‘the troubles’ (conflict between Northern Ireland and Britain), read Say Nothing by Patrick Keefe. Starting to think it’s time for a trip to Ireland once this pandemic is over?
Movie time! There are two in particular that will make you smile: A Fisherman’s Friend and The Commitments. Both are semi-true, as are most things said by the Irish, but I guarantee that you will enjoy them. Feeling a little blue and need a good cry? Take a look at the recently released Herself. It will break your heart, but it shows what living in Ireland is like today. The epic Bloody Sunday also will break your heart, but for different reasons. It is time to think about your new first name. Will you be Patrick, Maureen, Ryan or Kathleen?
Now on to your menu. Let’s start with drinks. You can go with the obvious choice and serve Guinness. I mean, it is ‘mother’s milk’ in Ireland, or perhaps, you would like Smithwicks Irish Ale. Thinking something stronger? John Jameson at your service! Its website, jamesonwhiskey.com, has some outstanding drink suggestions. Perhaps your party is just with your toddlers, and then it’s tea time! The Irish drink more tea per capita than anyone else, so tea and biscuits work just as well. Fun fact: The Irish drink more tea than alcohol! Hard to believe, but true.
Let’s talk food. Fish and chips (aka fish sticks and French fries) if you have little kids, or else it’s Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, soda bread or potatoes. Remember, the Irish are the Bubba Gump of potatoes; they like them fried, boiled, mashed, baked, scalloped … just call them Irish potatoes and you won’t be lying.
Now, pick your Irish name for the day and celebrate! And remember the old Irish saying: “These things I wish for you. Someone to love. Some work to do, a bit o’ sun, a bit o’ cheer. And a guardian angel always near.’
“Erin go Bragh!”
—Patricia Ann Catherine Fitzgerald Hannum