The Irish aren't much like the people that Irish Americans pretend to be on St Patricks Day. But please don't take our stereotypes away. We love them so.
Descendents of those who immigrated during the Irish potato famines of the 18th and 19th century generally only have St Patricks Day to remind them of those long ago ancestral ties. We may not have any real understanding of the country at all. Still we must beg pardon of the modern Irish citizenry and continue our traditions.
St Patrick’s Day Greetings Cards
So with tongue in cheek every American who likes a mid-March excuse to celebrate professes to be partly of Irish ancestry. We wear green and don't know why. We may live in communities that dye their rivers green or present bar patrons with green beer. Restaurants serve corned beef and cabbage amid leprechaun decorations or plastic pots-of-gold. This is a difficult dish to prepare: eat out!
School children enjoy cupcakes of any flavor with green icing. Other snacks may be potato chips or potato sticks. Parties for St Patricks Day are sure to be decorated with green and white twisted streamers and four leaf clovers. Paper party goods are the only option for children's parties but some adult dinners feature Irish linen and good china.
Hosting a dinner or party for any age group will be more politically correct when attention is given to actual cultural images. Celtic historical crafts and Gaelic lettered items as well as Celtic music will lend more accuracy. Folk dance or DVD's of popular dance could be offered for entertainment. More sophisticated guests might enjoy readings from the poetry of Ireland which is rich and varied.
Most of us will descend into the habit of bad Irish accents and excessive imbibing. It is the American way. Don't drink and drive.
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