St Patrick wasn't even Irish you know, he was Welsh.

The Irish have been making up their history and culture as they go along for centuries. 90% of it is lies, blarney and Craic.

So what's wrong with a little craic?

Depends what it is Laird.

If it is with good intentions then I agree with you - after all my mother's name was Power.

However, if it is "smile and hit" (i.e. pretend to make friends with someone you intend to attack - then, when he is off his guard, kick his head in with a group of friends) then it is no good.

My grandfather James Power (Waterford) rejected that lifestyle and so do I.

If you are friendly with a person (smile, offer him a drink and so on) then be his true friend.

If, the other hand, you intend to fight someone - then tell him so (no fake smile and nice talk) and take him on one on one.

For all their faults the Irish Americans of Long Island (the Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity type) follow the latter road.

If they like you they will be nice - if they do not like you they will tell you so. No fake craic hiding the intention to attack.

Before RAB jumps in - yes I know, the "be friendly to those you like and openly and honestly hostile to those you hate" is the Welsh way.

Indeed. The whole concept of honesty was introduced to those isles by St. Fyrryrrddrrllr Llewyllynn[1] in AD 343.

He was famous for not cheating people, even though nobody could pronounce his name well enough to report him to a thief taker.

Ain't that right, RAB?

[1] Pronounced just like it's spelled.

Quite right Sunfish, there is a story that he pebbledashed the whole front of Margam Abbey in spittle when he knocked on the door and was asked "Who goes there?" Your date is a bit early though. More like 490 AD.

Lovely people the Irish, first cousins to us Welsh, but just like us Welsh, dont believe a word they say ;-)

After making my way through the crowds in midtown Manhattan gathered for the St Pats day parade. I'm ready to buy a T shirt that says "Bore Me , I'm Irish!"

A few cute, drunk girls about though.

[1] Pronounced just like it's spelled.

Posted by Sunfish at March 17, 2010 09:15 PM

Living Welsh is the best revenge.

Never mind St. Patrick's Day! Why isn't there a St. George's Day, and wild celebrations of english contributions to the world!? Like bicameral democracy, and scientific progress, and the Industrial Revolution?

Sorry Nuke.
Just isn't done old boy.
The English intrinsically know who they are, or did.

St George was a foreign Johnny anyway wasn't he?
Turkish fella, or some sort. Lord knows how he got foisted on them.
Even St Andrew had bugger all to do with Scotland. The closest he got to being Scottish was when his bones passed through in the middle ages (assuming they were his bones).

And Pat wasn't born in Ireland, either. So what? Saint George Day could still be a day to celebrate Englishness, and English contributions to the modern age.

Don't be silly, last I heard, that fella who walked on water and ended up as food for flies never set foot outside the region now known as the Middle East - so what?

"Saint George Day could still be a day to celebrate ... English contributions to the modern age."

Hmmm! The soccer riot, maybe?

Alice, I was thinking more of soccer itself, not just the ringside entertainment.