St. Patrick's Day commemorates the patron saint of Ireland, Bishop Patrick, who in the year 432 left his home to bring Christianity to Ireland. Tradition says that Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland, but biologists say there were none in the country at the time. Shamrocks are associated with St. Patrick's Day because the Bishop used the three leaves to illustrate the Trinity.

What is St. Patrick's Day?

THE LEPRECHAUN The Leprechaun is an Irish fairy. He looks like a small, old man (about 2 feet tall), often dressed like a shoemaker, with a cocked hat and a leather apron.  According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live alone, and pass the time making shoes. They also possess a hidden pot of gold.  Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If caught, he can be forced (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure, but the captor must keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun (and he often tricks them into looking away), he vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.  Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree live mystical, magical leprechauns who are clever as can be With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of green The leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen. Only those who really believe have seen these little elves and if we are all believers we can surely see for ourselves.

Story of the Shamrock A little bit of shamrock Is a little bit of home So wear it on St. Patrick's day No matter where you roam In New York or Boston city The meanin's just the same Shamrock stands for Ireland Wear it in St. Patrick's name

Irish Blessings These things I warmly wish to you- Someone to love Some work to do A bit o' sun A bit o' cheer And a guardian angel always near. May you have: A world of wishes at your command God and his angels close at hand Friends and family their love impart, And Irish blessings in you heart. May God grant you many years to live, For sure he must be knowing The earth has angels all to few And Heaven is overflowing. May your neighbors respect you, Troubles neglect you, The angels protect you, And Heaven accept you. May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow And may trouble avoid you wherever you go. Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter Lullabies, dreams and love ever after. Poems and songs with pipes and drums A thousand welcomes when anyone comes... That's the Irish for you!

Irish Recipes Lucky Pudding Vanilla pudding mix Green food coloring Prepare pudding. Add a couple of drops of green food coloring. Allow children to stir. The pudding "magically" turns green. Magic Milk Add a drop of green food coloring into an empty glass. Add milk. The milk magically turns green! Scones 3 cups flour 4 1/2 tsp. baking powder 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup buttermilk Mix all the dry ingredients and add shortening until the mixture crumbles. Then add milk while you mix. Roll dough on floured surface and use round cutter to make scones. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.

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My St. Patrick's Day Adoptions!