Happy St. Patrick's Day

Today I was in the Cathedral City of Armagh where the Roman Catholic Primate of All Ireland and the Anglican Archbishop both have their Bishop's thrones. The reason I was there was for the Yes to Fairer Votes campaign. I also was not able to imbibe in the Black Nectar that is famous across the Emerald Isle (and yes we don't dye it green just for the day that is Americans for you) because I was driving.

I'll put more of the day up later but here are some interesting clips about St. Patrick and his Saint's day (some of it may well be wildly apocryphal).






And finally as this is a Christian celebration the Hymn I Bind Unto Myself Today sung to the tune known as St. Patrick's Breast Plate. Surprisingly YouTube didn't give me a great selection of choral renditions.



But here's a modern adaptation of it from someone who'll soon be a part of the family. Andrew featured in this and my friends Andrew and Ruth Garvey-Williams was giving out a CD which included this up in my ancient familial homeland of Donegal today to mark today.



Tá míle beannacht do Lá Fhéile Pádraig (A thousand blessings for Saint Patrick's Day)

Happy St Patrick's Day

As an Irishman you'd expect me to be celebrating St. Patrick's day this evening. Well I may have a dram of Whiskey (note the spelling) later to celebrate but there is a local party meeting this evening first.

Of course that doesn't stop my blog from celebrating without me.

As a Northern Irishman it is over to the Muppets to sing the song of our country.



As a Rugby fan I'm still on a high from the events around the time of the last St. Patrick's day. Ok there was a bit of disappointment on St. Valentine's day but our hearts were soon put back after being broken at Twickenham.



Mind you to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of one of Ireland's most famous exports this was the advert.

Sláinte mhaith.