The debauchery thing isn't exclusive to St. Patrick's Day celebrations, or America The bit about playing up Irish heritage in America is a good 250 years old now, so I think it qualifies as a tradition, not just an affectation. To us non-Irish (or 1/8 Irish mutts), it serves as a reminder to white Americans that we were all poor immigrants, hated by the people who were already here, at some point in our histories. And to all of us, I hope, that stereotypes do fade, over time, into caricatures, and from there to irrelevance. Maybe.
I think our culture is a bit baffled by the culture that on the surface *seems* to involve a lot of drinking. The whole pub thing, which in this country means drinking, over there might not.
Exactly. We went into a pub in Tramore (seaside town) on a Sunday afternoon, and whole families (including kids) were there listening to the band. The kids had lemonade. It seemed to be more of a social thing than anything else.
I dated a first generation Irishman for years and he despised the St. Patrick's day caricature of drunkards.
I think our culture is a bit baffled by the culture that on the surface *seems* to involve a lot of drinking. The whole pub thing, which in this country means drinking, over there might not. Plus, it's not uncommon IME to have the Irish compete to buy the last round, so just when I'm doing just fine, here comes a round of drinks and the Irish guy laughing and saying cheers! and I'm all hoo-boy this is the last one but of course now I have to reciprocate and as soon as I do here comes the Irish guy's round. And then come to find out he's drinking plain tonic water. True story. More than once. So in my estimation the American image of Irish as drunks is probably a reflection of how drunk Americans get when in a bar with Irish people...
The debauchery thing isn't exclusive to St. Patrick's Day celebrations, or America The bit about playing up Irish heritage in America is a good 250 years old now, so I think it qualifies as a tradition, not just an affectation. To us non-Irish (or 1/8 Irish mutts), it serves as a reminder to white Americans that we were all poor immigrants, hated by the people who were already here, at some point in our histories. And to all of us, I hope, that stereotypes do fade, over time, into caricatures, and from there to irrelevance. Maybe.
My Italian grandfather shared some stories with us about being asked to sit in the back of church, and getting made fun of for his limited English speaking.
The debauchery thing isn't exclusive to St. Patrick's Day celebrations, or America The bit about playing up Irish heritage in America is a good 250 years old now, so I think it qualifies as a tradition, not just an affectation. To us non-Irish (or 1/8 Irish mutts), it serves as a reminder to white Americans that we were all poor immigrants, hated by the people who were already here, at some point in our histories. And to all of us, I hope, that stereotypes do fade, over time, into caricatures, and from there to irrelevance. Maybe.
I dated a first generation Irishman for years and he despised the St. Patrick's day caricature of drunkards. I use it as an excuse to treat myself to a six pack of Guinness and something yummy to eat. Colcannon, or beef stew with Guinness, or corned beef.
Yip. Actually the whole Saint Pattie's Day debauchery thing is an American idea.
The debauchery thing isn't exclusive to St. Patrick's Day celebrations, or America The bit about playing up Irish heritage in America is a good 250 years old now, so I think it qualifies as a tradition, not just an affectation. To us non-Irish (or 1/8 Irish mutts), it serves as a reminder to white Americans that we were all poor immigrants, hated by the people who were already here, at some point in our histories. And to all of us, I hope, that stereotypes do fade, over time, into caricatures, and from there to irrelevance. Maybe.
I saw your recipe - I would love to try that sometime when I have my full complement of kitchen stuff in my possession again.
knife, pan, cutting board, plate, spoon. I think that's it. Simple, leftovers keep great. Even the corned beef itself w/potatoes & stuff is a one-pot meal.
The closest we get to any kind of celebration I'd want to go to is, last night there were some bagpipers in Cody. I assume they weren't Uilleann pipes. Certainly any place that serves green beer is a no-go for me
I guess we're doing corned beef today for friends, so I'll do the trad thing and go get some guinness. Or some other stout that's better maybe...
Yeah, it's a soda bread too, but with their version of whole wheat. A lot of times, even there (I think), they put molasses or sugar and raisins in it and make it more of a breakfast sweet thing. It's basically whole wheat soda bread but their whole wheat flour is different from ours, I think. Anyway, it's all a giant scone
Edit: Posted the corned beef hash recipe in the Food thread again because that's really the best thing about St. Patrick's Day.
I saw your recipe - I would love to try that sometime when I have my full complement of kitchen stuff in my possession again.
My favorite thing about St Patrick's Day is the Craic.....the dancers, the pipers, and the Celtic bands at the pub. And I suppose that slang also includes getting plastered, too - which I really don't do. But it does add to the overall revelry when others are around me.
Go ahead - have some today, too. Make a double batch. Mmm...soda bread. And have you ever had Irish brown bread? I had it in Ireland. YUM.
Yeah, it's a soda bread too, but with their version of whole wheat. A lot of times, even there (I think), they put molasses or sugar and raisins in it and make it more of a breakfast sweet thing. It's basically whole wheat soda bread but their whole wheat flour is different from ours, I think. Anyway, it's all a giant scone
Edit: Posted the corned beef hash recipe in the Food thread again because that's really the best thing about St. Patrick's Day.
Pogues!!!
Antigone wrote:
I've got my green on and I'm ready to hit the pub after work to see dancers, pipers, and Irish folk bands!
True story. More than once. So in my estimation the American image of Irish as drunks is probably a reflection of how drunk Americans get when in a bar with Irish people...
knife, 
The bit about playing up Irish heritage in America is a good 250 years old now, so I think it qualifies as a tradition, not just an affectation. To us non-Irish (or 1/8 Irish mutts), it serves as a reminder to white Americans that we were all poor immigrants, hated by the people who were already here, at some point in our histories. And to all of us, I hope, that stereotypes do fade, over time, into caricatures, and from there to irrelevance. Maybe.
Certainly any place that serves green beer is a no-go for me 
And have you ever had Irish brown bread? I had it in Ireland. YUM.