Legend has it that Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, drove the snakes out of Ireland, although in fact snakes were never there. The story may be referring to Patrick’s expelling the Druidic religion and bringing Christianity to the Emerald Isle. Patrick died on March 17, A.D. 460, and the Catholic Church made that his saint’s day. As a result, March 17 is the date of St. Patrick’s Day each year.
In the United States, more than 30 million people claim at least some Irish heritage, and on March 17 each year, everybody becomes Irish. Many cities host annual St. Patrick’s Day parades in which Irish pride is on display.
Emblems of St. Patrick’s Day include leprechauns, shamrocks and anything green, from clothing to food. Restaurants and bars serve corned beef and cabbage, washed down with green beer. The city of Chicago even adds a temporary dye to the Chicago River to turn it green for a day.
Incorrigible punster that I am (don’t incorrige me!), I have noticed that some words start with something that sounds like a first name and then comes an Irish patronymic O’. So have you heard about these 30 famous Irish men and women?:
- the Irish botanist Phil O’Dendron;
- the Irish heart surgeon Angie O’ Plasty;
- the Irish theater owner Nick O’Lodeon;
- the Irish cigarette manufacturer Nick O’Teen;
- the Irish watchmaker Nick O’Time;
- the Irish marksman Rick O’Shay;
- the Irish barber Hank O’Hare;
- the Irish con artist Upton O’Goode;
- the Irish musician Vi O’Lynn;
- the Irish puppeteer Mary O’Nette;
- the Irish meteorologist Barry O’Metric;
- the Irish inventor of Halloween Jack O’Lantern;
- the Irish manufacturer of flooring Lynn O’Leum;
- the Irish printer Mimi O’Graph;
- the Irish playwright Mel O’Drama;
- the Irish poet Ann O’Nymous;
- the Irish gum specialist Perry O’Dontal;
- the Irish tracer of ancestors Jeannie O’Logical;
- the Irish singer Carrie O’Key;
- the Irish pasta chef Ravi O’Lee;
- the Irish sportsman Mark O’Polo;
- the Irish ornithologist Bob O’Link;
- the Irish vegetable grower Brock O’Lee;
- the Irish entomologist Chris O’Liss;
- the Irish druggist Ben O’Drill;
- the Irish shipper Bill O’Lading;
- the Irish funeral speaker Yul O’Gee;
- the Irish cancer researcher Carson O’Genic;
- the Irish poison manufacturer Cy O’Nide;
- and the Irish designer for outdoor living Patty O’Furniture!
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DANCES WITH WORDS: Helping to celebrate the 25th anniversary of my local library, I’ll be performing a unique folk concert, “Dances with Words,” on Friday, March 16, 10:00 am, at the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library, 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, in Scripps Ranch. Dances With Words harmonizes my words about words with melodic music composed and performed by Bill Shipper. Please join us in the Community Room of the library and come prepared to enjoy learning dressed up to have fun.
That concert will be admission free (and worth every penny), as will the following performances around town. No need to call ahead. Just show up. I’d love to meet you there.
Wednesday. March 14, 2:30 pm – in the Bailey Center at Mount Miguel Covenant Village; 325 Kempton Street, Spring Valley;
Saturday, March 17, 2 pm – Oceanside Public Library Community Room, 330 North Coast Highway, $5 charge;
Sunday, March 18, 3:30 pm – Casa Aldea, 14740 Via Fiesta, Del Sur.
Bill and I will also present”Dances With Words” at OASIS in La Mesa. Wednesday, March 14, 10 am, and Thursday, March 15, 6 30 pm. The membership fee will be waived, but there will be a charge for the class. You can register over the phone 619 881 6262, through the website Sandiegooasis.org or at the Grossmont Learning Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, Ste. 269.