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Who is Saint Patrick? Saint Patrick is the missionary credited with converting the Irish to Christianity (in the A.D. 400's).
When is the “actual” Saint Patrick’s Day? Saint Patrick's Day (March 17th)
Why is the Ocean County Parade in Seaside on a different day? The Ocean County parade being so grand an event that it is, and in consideration of the NYC parade, it was thought best to always schedule Ocean County’s right before the NYC parade. (which is a nice parade also, to be sure)
What is Saint Paddy’s or Saint Patrick’s Day? It is the Irish holiday honoring Saint Patrick and is a time to celebrate Irish heritage and to wear green and have a good time.
How did Saint Patrick use the Three leaf clover? Saint Patrick used the Three leaf clover (the Shamrock ) to illustrate the spiritual concept of the “Trinity” - Father - Son and Holy Spirit when teaching Christianity, which he brought to Ireland.
Why is a Four leaf clover considered lucky? In the Irish tradition Three-leaf Clovers called Shamrocks represent the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. When you are lucky enough to find a clover with a fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.
Druids held the 4 leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. In 1620, Sir John Melton wrote: "If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing.”
The luckiness legend of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real one is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck.
How Rare are the 4 leaf Clovers? About one in 10,000
What is the “Four leaf Clover Poem”?
Four Leaf Clover
by Ella Higginson (born in 1861)
I know a place where the sun is like gold
and the cherries bloom forth in the snow;
And down underneath is the loveliest place,
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.
One leaf is for FAITH,
And one is for HOPE,
And one is for LOVE you know;
And GOD put another in for LUCK:
If you search you will find where they grow.
But you must have FAITH,
And you must have HOPE,
You must LOVE and be strong and so...
If you work and you wait,
You will find the place
Where the FOUR-LEAF CLOVERS grow!
When was Saint Patrick’s Day first celebrated in the USA? The first American celebration of Saint Patrick's Day was in 1737 up in Boston, Massachusetts, .
What is the “Irish Blessing”?
There are a number of “Irish Blessings” here are just several:
An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
An Irish Blessing
May you always have...
Walls for the winds
A roof for the rain
Tea beside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
Those you love near you
And all your heart might desire.
A Short Blessing
May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
The Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Blessing
May the luck of the Irish
Lead you to our Seaside Heights
And may the highways you travel
Be lined with green lights.
Do I have to be Irish to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day? Anyone and everyone wishing to celebrate Saint Patrick automatically becomes Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day.
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