This is weird.
As we get set to lather on the green face paint, imbibe all things green, and dance a wee jig in honor of the great Patricius…here are a few strange St. Paddy’s Day facts:
*The original colour worn by Patrick and to mark St. Patrick’s Day…was blue. It became green the more the party went global – ostensibly due to the Emerald Isle’s greenness, shamrocks, leprechauns, every Irish national sporting uniform ever, and the green in the Irish flag.
*Patrick’s real name was Maewyn.
Very Lord of The Rings.
*Herpetologists – i.e. folks who study reptiles agree that there probably never were snakes in Ireland for Patrick to drive out. Too cold. So the snakes of legend are thought to be metaphorical. At least they weren’t the ironic kind – those smug bastards.
*Once upon a time, in the ol’ U.S. of A. the Irish were considered a migrant crisis.
Good one to remember.
As they poured in to the states on the Eastern seaboard, they were discriminated against harshly. Now they’re a force in American culture and politics.
#Truth
*The world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place in Hot Springs, Arkansas and is just 98-feet (or 49 leprechauns) long.
Crucially, this allows for more pub time.
*In the town of O’Neill, Nebraska (named for its Irish founder) residents wear green not only on St. Patrick’s, but on the 17th of every month. That’s dedication.
*On the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat, St. Paddy’s Day is a national holiday. Montserrat boasts a rich Irish and African heritage.
Like me.
(The Conz began in The Ivory Coast.)
*Finally, here’s a clip of one of my fave Conor Kelly productions. It’s a workout routine I shot while vacationing in Ireland, with just about the most scenic backdrops of any workout video I ever done seen:
Olivia was so inspired she insisted I film her very first Yoga instructional video…
Well that’s all for the weird and the wonderful of the day.
In the words of my ‘bredren’…
May love and laughter light your days
And warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours
Wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
With joy that long endures
May all life’s passing seasons
Bring the best to you and yours
Happy St. Patrick’s Day,
Conor Kelly