This month we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, so it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate all things Irish!

First a few words about the man himself and some other interesting facts surrounding this feast day!

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Britain around 386 AD

Among the legends associated with St. Patrick is that he banished snakes from Ireland—prompting all serpents to slither away into the sea. However, research suggests that snakes never occupied Ireland in the first place! T’was a tad bit disappointing to learn that he didn’t drive them out after all, but thought I’d include this little cartoon to see what it might have looked like if he had!

Ah the Leprechaun! The belief in these little fella’s likely stems from the Celtic belief in fairies— tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil.

Important to note for the big day.. is that wearing green makes you invisible to the leprechauns! if a leprechaun spots you not wearing green, you’ll get pinched.

While people in Ireland had celebrated St. Patrick since the 1600s, the tradition of a St. Patrick’s Day parade began in America and actually predates the founding of the United States!

How to celebrate st. Patricks Day?

Go to the parade – Toronto is hosting its St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday March 20th!

Wear some Shamrock on your top!

Have a Shamrock Shake, a green beer or a Guinness to mark the occasion! – Don’t forget, we have great Guinness Merchandise here at the store!

Watch a classic Irish movie – Some of my favorites are the The quiet man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara – Or if you fancy a sing-song try The Commitments A great musical / comedy / drama

Catch a Leprechaun – If you do please bring him into the store we’d love to see him…

Listen to some Irish Music – The Pogues or the Dubliners will do nicely to get you in the mood to dance a jig

Read an Irish Authors work, there are plenty to choose from, check out something by: James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett or Seamus Heaney

Play some Irish Sport with your friends! Round them up for a bit of hurling or Gaelic football!

Eat Chocolate! Irish Mint crisp made in Dublin this is one of Cadburys finest creations if I say so myself …

https://thewanderingscott.ca/product/cadbury-dairy-milk-mint-crisp-54g/

Bake Something Irish!

Guinness Brown Bread

What you need:

450g/1lb Odlums Coarse Wholemeal Flour
2 level teaspoons Bread Soda
25g/1oz Pinhead Porridge Oats
4 tablespoons Demerara / Dark Brown Sugar
80g Chopped Walnuts (optional)
50g/2oz Butter or Margarine
1 tablespoon Treacle
400ml Guinness
How To

Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas 5. Lightly grease a 2lb loaf tin.
Put butter/margarine and treacle into a saucepan over a low heat and allow the butter/margarine to melt.
Meanwhile, combine the wholemeal, pinhead, sugar and chopped walnuts into a bowl. Sieve in the bread soda and mix well.
When the butter/margarine has melted, add the Guinness and stir.
Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix well. Transfer mixture to prepared tin and bake for about 40-50 minutes until risen and sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
https://thewanderingscott.ca/shop/Wrap in a clean tea towel and allow to cool.