Happy St. Patrick's Day, Irish or Not!

Whether you are walking in a parade, drinking a Guinness, or just wearing a touch of green today, it's a perfect day to celebrate the traditions of Ireland, that spunky country from which so many Americans emigrated. They brought us their work ethic, their wonderful sense of humor and love of language, and, of course, recipes for delicious food. No, not corned beef and cabbage; that is decidedly NOT authentic Irish cuisine, just an American adaptation. But yummy stews, chowders, and breads top the list of foods you can easily cook at home to celebrate Irish heritage. (For a more complete discussion of what is truly Irish, see the blog we posted in March 2023. You can read it here.)

On St. Patrick's Day We Can All be a Little Irish!

Even if you haven't a single drop of Irish ancestry, March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, has become a holiday for everyone to feel Irish. So for at least a day, you can put on something green, eat corned beef and cabbage, drink green beer, and watch or participate in a merry parade. If you are in a big city, perhaps the streets are repainted with green stripes or fountains (or even the Chicago River) are dyed green. But maybe, as genealogists, we should take a minute to determine exactly what really came from Ireland and what has been made more recently in America!