St. Patrick’s Day Lore, Traditions, FAQs, and Facts
Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! Here at Harbor Club, we’re gearing up for a safe, fun St. Patrick’s Day. The green-themed holiday is on March 17, and it’s loaded with fun lore and traditions. Here are some of the more interesting ones, along with answers to frequently asked questions and fun facts around the holiday.
Why should I wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?
As the tradition goes, if you wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, then you’ll be invisible to leprechauns. If you don’t wear green on the holiday, legend has it that those pesky leprechauns will pinch you. Avoid the pain, and prepare to wear your green garb. Fun fact: St. Patrick’s Day, the religious holiday, used to be celebrated with all things blue. As it transitioned to being more of a celebration of Ireland’s history, so did the color, from blue to green.
What’s up with the shamrock?
Believe it or not, shamrocks don’t exist. They are clovers. The three-leaf clover is considered the “unofficial” national flower of Ireland. Legend tells us that Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as he attempted to convert the Irish to Christianity. Fun fact: The world record for the most leaves on a clover is 21.
What makes a four-leaf clover lucky?
It’s rare to find a four-leaf clover, so you’re considered lucky if you discover one. Also, a four-leaf clover represents faith, hope, love, and, of course, luck. It’s widely known that Ireland is home to more four-leaf clovers than any other place, thus the phrase “the luck of the Irish.” Fun fact: Experts say that the odds of finding a four-leaf clover are about 1 in 10,000.
Is corned beef and cabbage an Irish dish?
Cabbage is traditionally Irish, but corned beef is not. During Ireland’s potato famine, many Irish immigrated to the U.S. and resided in New York City. Money was tight, so Irish immigrants replaced their traditional boiled Irish bacon (similar to pork loin) with corned beef. They have their Jewish neighbors to thank for the tasty yet frugal alternative. Fun fact: Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural dinner was corned beef and cabbage.
Why is Guinness famous on St. Patrick’s Day?
Guinness is a dark Irish stout that originates from Arthur Guinness’s brewery at St. James’s Gate in Dublin, Ireland. Drinking Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day dates back to 1759 and is considered the traditional beverage to celebrate the holiday. Globally, about 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed on St. Patrick’s Day alone. Fun Fact: Most people see Guinness as black or dark brown in color, but it’s actually dark ruby-red.
Ready to get in the Irish spirit? All Harbor Club members are invited to enjoy our festive St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Clubhouse on Wednesday, March 17. Come enjoy a delicious holiday-themed dinner and drink specials starting at 6 pm. And please don’t forget to wear your green!
P.S. Here’s another fun fact — we welcomed 89 new members to Harbor Club last year. All Lake Country residents are invited to experience the fun of Harbor Club Life. Will you be next? To learn more about our membership levels, contact us today.