St. Patrick’s Day

As you may be aware St. Patrick’s Day is a distinctively American holiday. In Ireland it’s a saint’s day; a religious holiday.

Yesterday I received a text message from one of my siblings. The exchange went something like this.

Sibling: What percent Irish are you?

Me: Same as you. 😉

Me: (after outlining the details). About 40%. The DNA tests say about 45%.

Me: However, since ethnic identity tends to follow the maternal line and Mama identified as Irish, so do we as has everybody on that side of the family going back 150 years.

My best high school buddy was 100% Irish. All four of his grandparents were born in Ireland. He was a contrary cuss. He used to wear orange on St. Patrick’s Day.

As you may also be aware the Irish in Ireland didn’t eat corned beef and cabbage. Beef was exported. Corned beef and cabbage was 19th century working man’s fare. We’ll be eating Irish bangers and mash tonight.