Posted in Kafevend Blog
Yes, it's already the 17th March which means it's St. Patrick's Day, celebrated far further afield than Ireland itself, not only due to Irish heritage circulated abroad through emigration, but also by the sheer friendliness and good natured humour that most Irish people evince. The USA in particular holds a multitude of parades and celebrations. Who was St. Patrick himself though?
Ironically, Patrick actually hailed from Scotland, probably Kilpatrick, and was born in approximately 385 C.E. Captured by raiders as a young teenager, he was taken to Ireland where he worked as a slave herding sheep. Having escaped back to Scotland a few years later, he studied to become a priest and in due course went on to become a bishop. Patrick returned to Ireland in around 433 and spent the rest of his days preaching and building churches throughout the land. That well known Irish symbol, the shamrock, is said to have been used by Patrick to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity. He died at Saul in Downpatrick on 17th March 461.
So what of that positive Irish personality? Ireland is well known for its hospitality, whether you fancy a pint down the pub, or a cup of tea in the world's tea drinking capital, you're in the right place. Its cultural heritage stands out too. Ireland has produced more than its fair share of writers and poets; amongst the best known are Seamus Heaney, James Joyce, W. B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. Irish humour is just as prevalent with Dylan Moran, Dara O'Briain, Ardal O'Hanlon, Ed Byrne and David O'Doherty to name but a few great contemporary Irish comedians. Combining both poetry and humour are limericks, which though hard to trace back to Limerick with absolute certainty, are harder still to imagine originating in any other nation. Here's one we've composed especially for the Kafevend blog, but we're sure you can compose a much better one while sipping a pint of Guinness later!
If coffee's the love of your life
The lack of it causes you strife
Your troubles will end
And levels of joy will be rife.