Saturday, March 16, 2013

SAINTS, SHAMROCKS AND SACRED FOOLS



by Patrick Prendergrast

March 17th commemorates the death of St Patrick.  If it falls
on a Sunday, as it does this year, it's celebrated on the 16th. 
Ti's the day all fools get well wasted, lending support to the rumor that all Irish folks love the drink too much. We may, or may not be guilty.  Oh, I've had a few real serious alcoholics in my life, and who hasn't?  I  do like a glass or two of port now and again myself.  More? I'm untrustworthy.

.
by Patrick Prendergast

If it's all in the genes, then I'm innocent. 
If not, I'm still innocent.  There's many fine beings spend their lives flaunting the inclination with a vengeance.
Who can blame them after all?


by Patrick Prendergast
 

Whoever points the finger of accusation, must first turn it toward themselves. Wasn't it blessed Jesus turned water to wine for the celebration, and wasn't the grape given us to ease our suffering?


by Patrick Prendergast

I did not attend the parade on Fifth Avenue, though I might have had it been this one: "The shortest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world takes place in Dripsey, County Cork.  The parade lasts just 100 yards and travels between the village's two pubs."

by Patrick Prendergast
Patrick, before he became a saint, was a Roman slave it's said, taken by pirates to Ireland, where he languished awhile until he managed an escape by sea to England.  After studies there
that led him to the priesthood, he returned as a missionary intent on converting the pagan Irish to his faith.



He used the shamrock to illustrate the mystery of
the trinity--'God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost'.
No women in that triumvirate.



by Patrick Prendergast


The missionary zeal by which he gained his
reputation for 'ridding Ireland of snakes' is veiled reference to the bloody-brutal campaign to rid it of its pagans, polytheism and nature worship,  The poor snake was, and still is, symbolic of life-everlasting in sacred traditions.


by Patrick Prendergast

I avoided the reveling crowds today, and the bars with  which my neighborhood is over run.  These few pictures snapped on only one side of one street within two blocks, are but a small part of what's actually there.



Every establishment,
save the German Restaurant 



 Proudly flying Celtic colors


The Pizza Parlor too

The rehabilitated Greek diner, with it's eye on
upscale changes locally,  is serving corned beef,
boiled white potatoes, and stewed cabbage,
candle-lit, on white table cloths

Even the phone booth on my corner got greened
with a clothing advertisement!
 
I offer you the following choice

LINKS
for your entertainment anytime

Planxty
"My Heart Is Tonight In Ireland"
A song that turns to Jig from my favorite Celtic group.
http://youtu.be/7SjCzQwGsy0



by Patrick Prendergast


This, Posted by
'The History Girls'
A perfect bit of something smart for today or any day.

What ever became of those precious jewels? 
A Little Irish Mystery. by Laurie Graham



by Patrick Prendergast


Yeats
'Sacred Texts'
If you love Yeats as I do,there's a wealth of material here.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/yeats/index.htm

 


by Patrick Prendergast

 
"Dancing at Lughnasa"
A lovely, lovely, lovely film 
 note-about 1/2 way through you will be asked to join a platform to see lots of free movies......I will research before signing up for myself to see what the 'catch' is, and report back in a special post.  Meanwhile enjoy this bit of it.  You might get it at Netflix if you like what you see here.
http://youtu.be/8OZIa9j4j90

 

by Patrick Prendergast


Keep the wind at your back, and
*thar gach ni eile
 

*pronounced: 'har gock nee ella'--Meaning: 'above all else' 

 beware of shape shifters!

 

The photographs not mine herein are by Patrick Prendergrast,
from Thomas Keneally's "Now And In Time To Be"

ISBN-0393-03051-2




2 comments:

grace Forrest~Maestas said...

this is such an amazing Post. i've looked 4 times so far. all that you DO to create these is just mind blowing.
THANK you and a snakey potato love to you,,,,,,,,

Unknown said...

maybe that's why the four leaf clover is considered lucky :)

have you read "How the Irish Saved Civilization?"
it's quite good