Catkin09

I'd just like to wish you all a good and happy St Patricks Day.

Don't drink too much and if you're doing an Irish jig.....don't pull anything too painful

Catkin

Marika 38

From us here in Papamoa, Happy st Paddy's day, to anyone celebrating today.

Have a great Day,

Batty

D'you know what? I forgot about it this morning Someone wished me a happy St Patricks and I went 'oooh - meant to wear something green'
Anyway, to anyone else with Irish connections (or even if you don't), happy St Patrick's Day from me too.

RobClubley

That explains the lass on the train in bright green leggings and a green 80s style dress.

Then again it's probably her normal style of dress!

So how come the whole world has adopted an Irish celebration as a poor excuse for getting pished?

irnbru14

No idea, but has anyone seen my bottle opener??

Batty

Gosh, you say that like you've never noticed it before. Who knows. (Most) people like us? There are 50 million Irish passports in circulation? Whatever.

RobClubley

I have no problem with it at all - it just seems strange that it's so widely adopted all over the world.

50 million Irish passports? Really? That's impressive! How many actually live in Ireland?

JoanneD

Happy St Patrick's Day from here in Dunedin. Have a good one everyone

Batty

Around 5m

RobClubley

Batty

Actually - it used to do my head in when the Yanks would say 'I'm from ... the back end of somewhere in the back end of Cork,say' and I'd go - no you're not, you're from South Carolina lol

Maz

Heh... know exactly what you mean. I'd take them up on it. Conversations would go something like this:

Yank: I'm French
Me: D'ou venez-vous?
Yank: Huh?
Me: I asked where you're from. You said you're French
Yank: Oh, I'm not from France, but I'm French
Me: Make up your mind
Yank: Huh?
Me: Well, you're either French, or you're not
Yank: Well, my family's French
Me: Where are you parents from in France then?
Yank: They were born in Boston
Me: How about your grandparents?
Yank: They went to Paris once!
Me: Doesn't sound like you're very French to me

And so on and so on I think a lot of it is wanting to hang on the coattails of somewhere that's actually got some history. It became something of a sport for me. Yeah, I'm evil.

Hubby is entitled to an Irish passport. Only reason we're going to go for that is so if I snuff it, he can follow daughter when she's old enough to choose where she wants to live, in case she decides to up-sticks and move to Europe as she's a Brit be descent, too. Ireland allows people whose grandparents were born there, the right to Irish citizenship. The vast majority of most other countries only go back to parents' level.

I have no problem with people getting bonafide citizenship by descent if they qualify for it. But I do think it's rather ridiculous for national celebrations to be adopted around the world. Courtesy of hubby, I have an Irish surname, and I don't celebrate St. Paddy's Day. 'Cos I'm not Irish.

</small soapbox>

owen

Yeah got the day booked off and tomorrow to recover. I always say my heritage is Irish but I'm English born and proud, much to my grandparents disgust!!!

Always thought of getting an Irish passport for my travels, but 9/11 plane hijacking changed the point the Irish are harmless and can be released, no-one gets released now

Kiwiprincess

You are right - probably normal style of dress. Actually someone commented recently on this site (Luvwelly?) on seeing someone in a suit and patterned stockings and I realised that *could* have been me!

Not sure about the whole world but i suspect in NZ's case it is just ANOTHER excuse. Not that I am complaining in this case.....

Batty

See, I agree with that too. I know I'd just feel like an imposter.

I've just been outside and every second person is wearing green - and I'm not