St. Patrick’s Day! That day of the year when our favorite color is Irish Green and we pull our green shirts, and sweaters, and maybe even pants from the recesses of our closets. That day of the year when Corned Beef and Cabbage and Green Beer actually sound good – LOL! That day of the year when you greet everyone with a “Top of the morning to you” even though the Irish rarely say it and everything is “Mc” this and “Mc” that. That day of the year when we are all happy go lucky and we are all Irish! Ah, what wonderful green memories we live each year!
Two things to look forward to every St. Patrick’s Day are the parades and the food. Most of us have heard about the parades in Boston, and New York, and Chicago, but as it turns out, St. Patrick’s Day Parades are held all over the world. And as for the food, Corned Beef and Cabbage is just a start and there are many more Irish delights that await us on St. Patrick’s Day.
Doing some research on the internet, we found the Top 10 Grand St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations as listed in the National Geographic book Four Seasons of Travel. And when searching for Irish inspired foods, we found Favorite St. Patrick’s Day Recipes on the food network.
Listed below are National Geographic’s Top 10 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations. If you do not have the “luck of the Irish” to be near one of these wonderful destinations, we hope that you can enjoy the festivities in your community. And if a parade is not in the cards, maybe you can enjoy one of the amazing meals listed below from the food network. Finally, if you know of a great parade to watch or have a wonderful Irish recipe to share, please let us know at liveamemory@gmail.com.
We leave you with this Irish Blessing – May you live as long as you want, And never want as long as you live.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! And – Live a Memory.
Top 10 Grand St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
National Geographic book Four Seasons of Travel
travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/grand-st-patricks-day-celebrations/
|
Parade |
Fun Facts |
|
|
1 |
New York City, New York | First held in 1762, this is the most popular St. Patrick’s Day parade with more than 2 million spectators annually! |
|
2 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Started in 1901, South Boston hosts this annual celebration of the Green! |
|
3 |
Chicago, Illinois | Starting with famously coloring the Chicago River Green, this parade starts at noon and fills the air with the sound of bagpipers, horses, and merriment! |
|
4 |
Savannah, Georgia | First held in 1813, Georgia’s oldest city holds a three-hour celebration winding through the Savannah Historic District. |
|
5 |
Montserrat, West Indies | With the look that reminds many of an Irish coast and a population with Irish heritage, Montserrat is known as “The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean.” On March 17 a St. Patrick’s Day celebration honors both their heritage as well a push for freedom by slaves on March 17, 1768. |
|
6 |
Montreal, Quebec, Canada | First held in 1824, this French speaking city holds their St. Patrick’s Day parade no matter what the weather may be! This three hour event which winds it’s way past many many pubs is held on the Sunday closest to March 17. |
|
7 |
Dublin, Ireland | It would not be St. Patrick’s without Dublin’s fun celebration of the Irish culture. Starting at noon on March 17, this parade marches past more than half a million spectators along it’s more than 1.5 mile route. |
|
8 |
Birmingham, England | Held on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick’s Day, the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the U.K. is held in the third largest city in the U.K. The green of the parade shines as it passes the Irish Quarter. |
|
9 |
Cabo Roig, Spain | This vacation hotspot on the southeast coast of Spain holds a St. Patrick’s Day parade with a festive Mediterranean flare! |
|
10 |
Auckland, New Zealand | The largest city in New Zealand holds the world’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade each March 17. In the nineteenth century many Irish settlers immigrated to the far-a-way land of New Zealand and every year their ancestors celebrate this Irish heritage. |
Favorite St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
From the food network
foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/photos/favorite-st-patricks-day-recipes.html
| Irish Dish |
Key Ingredients |
|
|
1 |
Corned Beef and Cabbage | Brisket, Onion, Celery, Garlic, Marjoram, Bay Leaves, Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots, Turnips, Parsnips, Herb Butter |
|
2 |
Irish Stew | Lamb Neck, Onions, Thyme, Chicken Stock, Potatoes, Parsley, Chives, Herb Butter |
|
3 |
Shepherd’s Pie | Ground Beef, Bacon Slices, Onion, Carrots, Peas, Garlic Cloves, Russet Potatoes, Tomato Paste, 1 Bottle Light or Dark Beer, Beef Broth, Rosemary Leaves, Swiss or Cheddar Cheese, Parsley, Sugar |
|
4 |
Colcannon | Potatoes, Hot Milk, Head Cabbage, Ham or Bacon, Scallions |
|
5 |
Irish Soda Bread | All-Purpose Flour, Buttermilk, Egg, Orange Zest, Dried Currants |
|
6 |
Spinach Pancakes and Corned Beef Hash | Chopped Spinach, Cheddar Cheese, Fried Eggs, Corned Beef Hash, Chopped Chives, Milk |
|
7 |
Chocolate Stout Cupcakes | 1 Bottle of Guinness Stout Beer, Sour Cream, Cream Cheese, Heavy Cream, Sugar |
|
8 |
Corned Beef and Cabbage Pizza | Green Cabbage, Peeled and Sliced Potato, Mozzarella Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Sliced Corned Beef |
|
9 |
Rum Raisin Rice Pudding | Raisins, Dark Rum, White Basmati Rice, Sugar |
|
10 |
Guinness Float | Whole Milk, Heavy Cream, Baileys Irish Cream, Irish whiskey |
