March isn't near yet, but St. Patrick's Day should always be celebrated at any time of the year. Soda bread, Guinness, must be available at all times.
Ireland is more than liquids to imbibe. What has been an integral cornerstone in that country is its language, Gaelic (Gaeilgh). No matter what England could do or take away from the Irish, Gaelic was theirs and theirs alone.
In history, Ireland is darn bloody. From the north, the Vikings brutally conquered and generally settled into the country, especially on the Eastern coast and in the North. Bloody, darn bloody. Oliver Cromwell was a master of creating rivers of Irish Catholic blood.
The English, in their desire to "civilize" conquered the country back in the 1169 A.D., staying there until 1949, when some counties voted to remain with England and the other counties voted for independence. Northern Ireland is part of the Britain, but the Republic of Ireland is governed by elections.
The people of Ireland are incredible, spending time and swapping stories with tourists. The Irish are well educated, and speak two languages. Irish Gaelic is not an easy language to just pick up on the fly. From the first class (children of ages 4+) to adulthood, students are learning in English and Gaelic.
Irish writers are renowned for their use of words woven together so tightly. The Gaelic united them in a way that is difficult to describe. It's unique and it's beautiful.
Early on, England recognized how it was not just Catholic or Protestant, it was how Gaelic which was the glue for the people. It was pretty savage on the part of the English---Children were beaten by teachers if they spoke in Gaelic. The effort to get rid of the language failed.
God bless the Irish. Dia beannaigh an Ghaeilge
WB Yeats is one of my favorite poets. Just threw this poem in, the words mean much to me
