Kid’s Craic: All Hail to Saint Patrick!
By Megan Lardie
We all know that St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, but what did he do that made him so famous?
It is believed that he was living during the second half of the fifth century, so sometime between the years of 420-500 AD.
He was born in the country of Brittainy, in a small villa. When he was sixteen, he was captured by Irish pirates and taken to be a slave. He was held captive for six years before he was able to escape and go back to his family in Brittainy. After he was home, he realized that he had a calling to join the priesthood.
Patrick was ordained a priest; he requested to go back to Ireland and spread Christianity. He had been raised in a Christian family and believed that his faith had helped him during his time as a slave.
Patrick spent the rest of his life traveling around Ireland as a missionary. A missionary is a person who travels around a foreign country and spreads Christianity to other people.
Legends
There are several legends about St. Patrick. The most popular is that he used the shamrock to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity to people as he was spreading Christianity. He used the three leaves of the shamrock to show how there are three persons in one God. He showed how there where three leaves but only one stalk; God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the three persons that are one Church.
The other popular legend is that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. According to the legend, St. Patrick stood on top of a hillside, dressed in his formal green attire, waved his staff, and herded all the snakes into the sea, removing them from Ireland forever.
Some believe this is just a way of explaining how he rid Ireland of paganism (a belief in a different religion other than Christianity or no religious belief). Others say that the way Ireland’s climate has changed since snakes first evolved, over 100 million years ago, snakes could not have ever survived in Ireland. This is why it is considered a legend. It cannot be proven to be correct.
Why March 17?
We honor St. Patrick on March 17th, the day of his death. In Ireland, the day had been strictly a religious holiday and most businesses, including pubs, were closed. In 1970, it was made a national holiday, so the pubs could then be open. The St. Patrick’s Day parade was invented in the United States; the first one was in Boston in 1737. If you are able to attend a parade where you live, it is a great way to see all the different ways St. Patrick and Ireland are celebrated thousands of miles from Ireland.
Kids in the Kitchen
Thin Mint Milk Shake (I hope you ordered a few extra boxes of Girl Scout cookies!)
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons creme de menthe or 3 tablespoons 2% milk plus a dash of peppermint extract
1-1/4 to 1-1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
7 Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies
Green food coloring, optional
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender in order listed; cover and process until blended. Serve immediately.
Literature Corner
The O’Brien Book of Irish Fairytales and Legends
By Una Levy
This is a collection of Irish fairy tales and legends passed on from generation to generation. Readers will learn about the mischief of leprechauns to the tale of the Giant’s Causeway. Some of the tales are a bit dark, so maybe not a bedtime book. For ages 8-12, 96 pages.
The Adventures of Shamrock Sean
By Brian Gogarty
Shamrock Sean is a lovable leprechaun that likes fishing, digging, and lending a helping hand. No matter what he does, he seems to find himself in trouble. Three stories in one! For ages 5-6, 32 pages.
Lardie’s Laughs
Q. Why did St. Patrick drive all the snakes out of Ireland?
- A. Because he could not afford airfare for all of them!
- Q. How can you tell when a potato is not from Ireland?
- A. When it is a French fry!
Gab in Gaelic
Happy St. Patrick’s Day = Beannachtai na Feile Padraig (pron: bann/ockt/tee nih fail/eh pawd/rig)
*Megan is a Reading Intervention Educator for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She holds a BA from Hiram College and a BA+ from Ashland University. She resides in Avon Lake with her husband, Joe, and their five children. She may be reached at [email protected].
