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St. Patrick's Day in Dublin
As a child, growing up in Dublin, Ireland, St. Patrick's Day was quite a different experience from the North American experience.
March 17th in Ireland is mostly a religious holiday, celebrating the day when the High King of Ireland became a Christian, acknowledging Jesus as the High King of Ireland.
Jesus, Ireland's High King
Families rise early and go to church. The shamrock is worn as a reminder that this was the symbol Patrick used to explain the Trinity,- 3 parts in one God.
Afterwards, the parade...
Afterwards the parade through the streets of Dublin was a festival occasion.
The onlookers wore coats, hats, scarfs and mitts and wondered at the visiting cheerleaders from across the Atlantic who whirling colourful sticks seemed oblivious to the cold.
It was only later, after moving to Canada that I realised what cold weather really was!
© 2002 Sinead Gleason Roy Reprinted with permission
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