The Wake

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up quick
Celebrate until you are sick
Drink green beer on a dare,
Wear a clover in your hair,
Dance like you don’t give a frick

Though I’m not Irish, for the past three years, I have celebrated St. Patrick’s Day religiously. And by religiously, I mean drinking beer and dancing around madly with my friends. Though St. Patrick’s Day was originally meant to honor the patron saint of Ireland – born in Wales in A.D. 385 with the given name Maewyn – it has become a holiday in which we all are encouraged to let loose and celebrate the stereotypes of Irish culture. Americans wear “Kiss me, I’m Irish” pins, T-shirts with clovers or leprechauns, and ride on buses loaded with people to crawl from one pub to the other for the evening. It is a day of celebration, love and friendship. After all that drinking, some people may get a little out of hand, but one might say they are only celebrating the infamous Irish temper!

St. Patrick’s Day is a beloved holiday in American culture, especially those with Irish roots or relations. Last fall I spent the semester studying at the University College in Cork, Ireland. There I was amazed to find some of the most easy-going, kind-hearted and generous people I have ever met. Sure, life wasn’t idyllic. There were dramatic arguments, and confusions in conversations. Most confusing was relationship terminology. Turns out, when an Irish guy or girl kisses someone they say that they’ve “scored,” or that they’ve “been with” that person. Since, in America, “scoring” and having “been with” someone refers to sex, I thought my friends were sleeping with a different guy every weekend! Also, any guy I knew or said “hello” to would be regarded as “my man.” When my friend Maura first told me to ask my man…I responded, “He’s not my man!” We had a good laugh, because she meant it just as the man we were referring to in conversation, rather than the man you are dating.

The Irish have a reputation for heavy drinking. This is and is not true. Yes, they spend more time at the pubs, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they go there to get drunk. In college, most of them will, but you could also walk into a bar filled with men and women over the age of 70 hanging out and having a laugh. The pub is a place to congregate, and stay in touch with friends. So whether you like to drink or not, St. Patrick’s Day is a time to spend with the people you care about. This year on campus, it falls on the Wednesday of our spring break. For those staying in Minneapolis, head to an Irish pub like Kieran’s, Keegan’s or O’Donovan’s to celebrate. And if Metro Transit is running, catch a free ride thanks to Miller’s free bus fare program. For me, I’ll be celebrating in Vegas and sending cheesy E-greetings to everyone I know in Ireland. Cheers!