As a kid, I looked forward to St. Patrick's Day, and the big family and community celebrations, including the New York St. Paddy's Day Parade! Being Irish on my father's side, St. Patrick's Day ranked up there with Easter and Christmas. Yet, there was a curious aspect to the day that always made me stand out as a kid - I didn't wear green! Yes, I know - how can an Irish lass with the name Shawn Owens, (my maiden name) not wear green? Simple - I'm Protestant.
That answer probably confused most of you, and are left wondering what religion has to do with it? A lot!! Although the Irish Catholic's claim Patrick, he is embraced by all the Irish for his selfless works. Thus Catholics and Protestants alike celebrate Patrick's life with much gusto!
The Irish Flag consists of 3 colored stripes, green, white and orange. Those colors are not random choices. Green is not used because Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle" rather is the color of Irish Catholics. Yes, some argue the Catholics chose the green due to the lush shades that dot the Irish landscape, but over the centuries it became well acquainted with the conflict between Catholics and Protestants.
The orange stripe acknowledges the Protestant "Orangemen" for their support of William of Orange and the victory at the Battle of Boyne over the disposed King James. James was a fanatical Catholic, who used his faith to alienate his subjects, which resulting in William invading England at the request of Parliament for aid. The white stripe was later inserted between the green and orange to show peace finally reached between the warring religions.
Fast forward to my childhood. My paternal grandmother was adamant that we didn't we a speck of green on St. Patrick's Day. Considering I was born and raised in New York, where the Irish reside in great numbers, that was no easy feat. Each year, on the day when everyone in the country claims to be Irish and goes crazy with the green, I fielded questions and comments from friends and classmates who knew I was of Irish heritage about why was I wearing orange?
Sometimes it was difficult, feeling left out on such a great Irish day by not wearing green. Other times, I felt proud to stand up for my family heritage. Of course, those feelings depended upon the meanness of the kids at school. But once I was with family or at the parade, color didn't matter, rather the celebration.
Even today, I passed the knowledge to my daughter about the orange and green. Sadly, Nashville doesn't know how to properly celebrate St. Patrick's Day like other cities where the Irish population is greater. Southerners try, but not many can make the traditional corned beef and cabbage to stack up to my grandma. In fact, I've only eaten at one pub/restaurant where the taste even came close - Seanachie's Irish' Pub, and it shut down. It was so reminiscent, I pictured myself sitting at Grandma's dinning room table off Jamaica Avenue in Queens. Aw, well, at least I know how to make Grandma's cabbage and boiled potatoes.
Sásta ú. Lá Pádraig
3 Comments on My Family's St. Patrick's Day Tradition., last added: 3/17/2013
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Thank you for this interesting article. Next year I'll try to remember to wear green and orange.
I started wearing green to celebrate St. Pat but also as a contrast to the white that had stayed way too long in the Manitoba landscape. Now that I live in British Columbia the white stuff seldom touches my life (thank heavens).
*supplies*
lol. Leanne, the white 'stuff' doesn't get to Nashville very often. In fact, just a mention of it, sends Southerners scrambling to the stores for supple. :-)