8 Ways To Take A Trip To Ireland This Year (Without Leaving Your House)
Maybe it's the 8% British and Irish that’s in my blood (according to 23andme.com). Maybe I have a bad case of “fernweh” as the Germans have named it, which is a deep longing and ache for another place. Maybe it’s just the dead of winter in the Pacific Northwest and I am looking for an excuse to bring some beauty, meaning, and fun to the dark and dreary days.
Most likely, it’s a combination of all of those. But for whatever reason, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day has always been my favorite, and in my opinion the most underrated, holiday.
While I do celebrate extra on March 17th, St. Patrick’s feast day, I tend to dive into celebrating Irish culture all March long. The call of the Emerald Isle, with its green rolling hills, mist-draped cliffs, rugged shorelines, and cozy pubs filled with music, is real.
Now, I have a sad confession to make at this point: I’ve yet to actually set foot on Irish soil. Covid interrupted our plans of going there when we had the opportunity, and being a busy mom of three, the next opportunity won’t likely be for a while. However, that doesn’t stop me from spending a little time there in spirit each March.
Maybe you are like me, and you already have several St. Patrick’s Day traditions that you enjoy each year, but maybe you’ve cast this holiday off as only for those who want an excuse to drink too much Guinness.
I’m here to suggest that there is a lot more to this holiday than is generally talked about and that everyone, Irish or not, should consider adding some of these traditions to their March in honor of St. Patrick, and the island and culture of Ireland in general.
01 | Learn the story of St. Patrick
St. Patrick was a real man. His name was Maewyn and he was born in Roman Britain. Kidnapped as a teen and taken to Ireland as a slave, he then escaped and made his way to France, where he became a Christian. He later returned to Ireland as a missionary, wanting to spread the love of Jesus to the Irish people who had been his captors.
As an adult, he became a bishop and is now known as the patron saint of Ireland. His feast day, March 17th, is the day of his death in 461. There are many stories and less verifiable legends of miracles he performed and teachings he gave, the most well-known being that he explained the Trinity using the three leaf clover, or shamrock.
Understanding more of who St. Patrick was and his dedication to sharing the gospel with others, even those who would have understandably been considered his enemies, his close following of Jesus, and his desire to serve the people he felt called to (all of which is historically verifiable), are all greatly encouraging.
We can study his life and be inspired to love more sacrificially and forgive more readily. In a world full of celebrities, we need a greater focus on saints, both from the past and those around us currently, to call us to deeper faith, higher hope, and greater love.
If you want to learn more about St. Patrick yourself, or want to share his story with your kids, here are a few options:
Children’s picture book: Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola
YouTube video from the creators of Veggie Tales:
Video on the history of St. Patrick from History Calling:
02 | Grow your own shamrocks
If you have a Trader Joe’s in your area, they often have green Oxalis plants in cute pots during the month of March, or you can find them at other garden centers, or online for fairly cheap.
They are not true shamrocks, but this gorgeous and easy-to-grow plant can be enjoyed outdoors if you have the right climate, or you can keep it going indoors, adding a fun centerpiece to your table or windowsill. Maybe you'll even get to tell someone about the Trinity using the example St. Patrick did!
03 | Cozy up in an Irish sweater
Ireland is known around the world for their traditional Irish wool sweaters. They come in a variety of beautiful colors and patterns. I have one that has lasted years and is a warm layering piece during the winter. They can be an investment, but they can also last many years. Here are a few more favorites:
04 | Watch an Irish movie
If you can’t be in Ireland to enjoy the scenery and people yourself, there’s nothing like indulging in a little virtual sightseeing and cultural “immersion” via a great movie! Below are a few of my favorites I’ve watched over the years, plus a few that are on my “watch soon” list:
The Secret of Roan Inish (1995)
This 1995 movie introduces the Celtic mythological creatures called selkies. These are “seal folk” that can change from seal to human form by shedding their skin. In the movie, a young girl named Fiona goes to live in a small fishing village with her grandparents, where she discovers more about her own history and through courage and curiosity helps to solve a familial mystery.
Wild Mountain Thyme (2020)
One of my favorite Irish movies, nay, one of my favorite of all movies, is Wild Mountain Thyme, starring Emily Blunt, Jamie Dornan, Jon Hamm, and Christopher Walken. This movie follows the relationship of wild and headstrong Rosemary (Emily Blunt) and the introspective and shy Anthony (Jamie Dornan), whose families own adjoining farms in the Irish countryside. Family heritage, parental dynamics, and the overcoming power of love are all explored with the perfect mix of quirky characters, heartfelt moments, a hilarious inquisition, and enviable vistas.
Finding You (2021)
This film is a sweet romantic comedy between two young adults: Finley, an aspiring violinist, and Beckett, a famous actor. Finley is struggling to find her own musical style, so she follows on the wings of her elder brother, by traveling to Ireland as part of a study abroad program. She meets Beckett, a highly sought-after and seemingly cocky leading man. Will their worlds, not to mention their personalities, ever mesh? Even more compelling is the parallel storyline of Finley’s service project assignment from her Irish Studies class Each student is to adopt a senior citizen to spend time with, and Finley’s adoptee, grumpy and stand-offish Cathleen (Vanessa Redgrave), has an outcast history in this small Irish town. Running on instinct that not all is as it seems, Finley is instead determined to figure out what the real story is.
The Secret of Kells & Song of the Sea
I have not yet seen either of these animated films, however I have heard that they are both beautiful dazzling tales. The Secret of Kells is a mythological take on how the Book of Kells came to be, with a young boy overcoming his fears on a perilous quest to complete a magical book that was brought by an illuminator to the boy’s small village. Song of the Sea takes us to the world of selkies again, with the last selkie and her brother traveling on an epic journey to save the world of magic.
05 | Pray the Prayer of St Patrick, or another Irish blessing
The Prayer of St. Patrick is one of my favorite prayers to pray as I'm walking in the morning, as it asks God's strength and presence to be with you that day. It's a bit long in its entirety (which you can find here), but below is a short excerpt:
“I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.”
There are many other traditional Irish blessings that are beautiful and pray health, love, peace, and beauty over the receiver. Here are a few to enjoy:
“May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home, may good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world, with joy that long endures, may all life’s passing seasons, bring the best to you and yours.”
“May God give you, for every storm, a rainbow, for every tear, a smile, for every care, a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sign a sweet song, and an answer for each prayer.”
“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
And because the Irish have a fun sense of humor:
“May the good Lord take a liking to you, but not too soon.”
06 | Let them know you’re taken, or not
The Irish have the most clever way of letting others know if you are in a committed relationship or not, and it’s called the Claddagh ring. You’ve likely seen it: it is a heart being held by two hands, and the heart has a crown on it. The heart represents love, the crown represents loyalty, and the two hands symbolize friendship.
There are some different ways of wearing the ring to show your relationship status, but generally one wears it on the right ring finger either with the crown toward your heart, to show that you are already in a committed romantic relationship, or with the crown pointed outward, toward the tip of your finger, indicating to anyone interested that you are open to a new relationship. Though it could be worn on the left ring finger with the heart pointed outward, to show that one is engaged, but not yet married (if it was given as an engagement ring). I have one I wear on my right hand that I procured from Etsy and wear crown in, as I’m married. You can find them in gold or silver and with or without gems. Here’s a few charming ones I spotted online:
07 | Catch a leprechaun
This is for the kids, but a very fun tradition! Each year, my children make a “leprechaun trap,” usually using cardboard, colorful paper, signs to indicate that leprechauns are invited, and then something sparkly to tempt those mischievous leprechauns to come. The kids set them up the night of March 16th, and then wait for the morning to see if they’ve caught one (because folklore says that if you catch a leprechaun you can barter his freedom for his treasure, which is usually gold and gems). W
e’ve yet to catch one at our house, however. They are slippery little guys, and every morning of St. Patrick’s Day there is evidence of a close encounter: glitter, possibly a small leprechaun hat, and a coin (real or chocolate) or two are left by the barely escaped leprechaun. Alas, another attempt will have to be made again next year. Click here for a few ideas on how to make leprechaun traps.
08 | Enjoy traditional Irish food
I definitely couldn’t list wonderful ways to experience any country, without mentioning the food. Ireland has some very tasty, perfect for a cold March day, dishes that are generally also easy to prepare and use common ingredients.
Here are a few recipes to try:
Irish cream (non-alcoholic, but whiskey can be added)
In short…
St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and with it, may you enjoy a bit of Ireland through both the religious and the silly, the serious and the festive, the delicious and the mythical. It’s definitely not a bad way to spend the early spring, no matter who or where you are!
