Have you noticed, over the past few years – particularly since the pandemic – that St. Patrick’s Day revels have shrunken and toned down significantly? The change may reflect an overarching evolution in how we celebrate ‘big’ days, in general…
* According to Quick and Dirty Tips, “‘Faith and begorrah’ is a stereotypical Irish exclamation used to express surprise or excitement, acting as a mild oath similar to ‘by golly’ or ‘by gosh’. ‘Begorrah’, itself, is a euphemism for ‘by God’, with the phrase dating back to at least 1839. It is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day, though it is considered more of an old-fashioned, caricatured phrase than common modern slang.”
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Less is more?
It appears some folks have come to the conclusion that ‘less is more’ when it comes to the annual springtime celebration marking the birth of Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick.
The occasion is certainly worthy of celebration: St. Patrick did, according to legend, rid The Auld Sod of snakes. But those observations have traditionally involved more than just parades, wearing the green, and tucking into a big pot of Irish stew. The truth is, the Irish relish a good time, and for them, that must include a goodly amount of alcohol. The day’s traditional quaff is, in fact, is ‘Green Beer’, rendered other-worldly by a few drops of food colouring.
But the tide seems to be turning…
More of a family affair
“St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are experiencing a shift in many places, with indications that they are becoming less focused solely on binge drinking and, in some contexts, more community or family-oriented,” Google AI reveals. “While the holiday remains a major day for pub traffic, there is a noted decline in alcohol consumption driven by cost, health concerns, and a shift toward alternative, ‘sober’ celebrations.”
Alternatives emerging
Many authoritative sources agree that alternative St. Patrick’s Day activities are gaining traction against the old, familiar concept of getting smashed on Guinness.
Event planning site Eventbrite offers an extensive list of alternate St. Patrick’s Day activities. Their suggestions cover all ages and locales, including work, home and the community centre. While some of their ideas seem unlikely to catch on, I particularly like their suggestions to:
- Host an Irish cooking bee with friends.
- Organize an Irish-themed Pot Luck Supper.
- Host an Irish Whiskey-tasting Master Class.
- Learn and use (all day) authentic Irish Gaelic words and phrases
- Screen an Irish Movie (or two)
My own preferences in Irish (and Irish-themed) cinema are as eclectic and varied as the genre itself. I heartily recommend:
My take
Hold the Green Beer. Bring on the Guinness. Hold the Corned Beef and Cabbage. Bring on the Irish Stew. Play a little Irish Folk Music. Talk like an Irish person. Wear the Green. And have a safe, sane St. Patrick’s Day!
~ Maggie J.