Monday, March 17, 2008

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!


pictured: The Ballycrovane Ogham Stone, Beara Peninsula
(thank you, Susanne, from The Ring of Beara blog)

Here's up the rebels! Yes, I can't let St. Patrick's Day go by without a mention. Even though I will celebrate with Murphy's and Knappogue Castle Whiskey, not to mention a corned beef dinner, my thoughts are not necessarily about the party-time atmosphere with which this country has imbued the holiday. No, I know where I come from.

We Irish may be doing fine, not just in this country, as is apparent, but also back in the old country, which, due to the Celtic Tiger, doesn't resemble the old country so much anymore (Perhaps this is a good thing, from an economic perspective, but to mimic the capitalism of this place... hmm, dubious.). But we must remember, even if it takes this green feast day to remind you, that our forbears were a frightfully oppressed people in their own country. And the great emigration to the West wasn't a cure-all, either. It took years of strife and loss to overcome. Nonetheless, we went from the lowest of the low to positions of authority in less than a century. If you look at that, there is hope for others who are oppressed. I am here because of them, and I am thankful.

Raise your glass, lads and lasses! To the Great Ones of history! Sláinte is táinte to you all on this great Irish day.

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