Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from Ireland

By miss tarot teacher on March 17, 2014 • ( Leave a comment )

Tá Fáilte Romhaibh (Irish for Welcome) to all my Tarot Friends around The World,

Today is Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland, Lá Fhéile Pádraig our National Holiday, and for today, everything has turned Forty Shades of Green. Irish people all over the world will celebrate this day, along with all those of Irish Extract or with Irish Ancestry. I don’t think there is any country in the World where the Irish cannot be found. Millions can trace their family roots back to Ireland. Even the American President, Barack Obama, has Irish Ancestry, so too did President Kennedy, making Saint Patrick’s Day a huge day of celebration in many, many countries.

Ireland is known as The Land of a Thousand Welcomes and we are famed for our hospitality, friendliness and of course our music. Like every other country, Ireland has changed over the centuries and we have a much checkered history. We have gone through some terribly traumatic times; famine, occupation, wars, civil war, ‘the troubles’, religious scandals and abuse, and several recessions, the current one having the strongest impact so far as it also coincides with a global recession. Many of our talented young have once more been forced to leave the home they love so well and travel to foreign lands in search of employment. We have been through this on several occasions over the centuries, each time bringing terrible sadness and the pain of separation to families. For those Irish who regardless of their skills and qualifications, are now considered ‘too old’ even though they may only be in their late thirties or early forties, finding employment in their field of expertise has at times proved impossible.

However, as a nation we have pulled ourselves up from the dust on several occasions in the past and have risen from the ashes to make a spectacular comeback. I have no doubt we will do it again. Our much loved Traditional Irish Music is cherished throughout the world and tells the Story of The Irish People and our History. Modern Irish Music has successfully blended the mix of old with new to create a very distinctive sound that is undeniably Irish but appeals to a more generic and younger audience. Our famous Irish Dancing is also celebrated and practiced globally. Who can forget the impact of Riverdance around the world when it exploded onto the stage back in 1994.

In the midst of our current difficult times we have had much to celebrate this weekend. Not only is it Saint Patrick’s Day today, but also our National Rugby Team beat France in the Stade de France Stadium on Saturday to secure the much-coveted Six Nations Rugby Championship. It was a marvellous moment, but also tinged with sadness. As the final whistle blew bringing the game to a close, the whistle also blew for one of the world’s most famous Rugby Players, our very own Brian O’Driscoll. This amazing talented rugby player, sportsman, ambassador for Ireland and a true gentleman, hung up his famous Number 13 Irish International Jersey for the last time as he retires from international play. However, he will not disappear from the game altogether but it was an emotional time for all of us on Saturday. The fans cheered and cheered while he was being interviewed by the press from all over the world, no one wanting to see this Living Legend leave the pitch. It was a glorious moment to watch Brian lift that precious Cup and the deafening roar of the Crowds in the Stadium almost lifted the roof.