A St. Patrick's Day for the Books!

Hope you had a good weekend and have recovered from your St. Patrick’s Day!! Slainte from our Chieftan, Vice Chieftan and all of us in Honolulu!

We got our Irish up for the Grandest St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in the Pacific! Murphy’s  donated two dollars per pound of corned beef sold throughout the week to benefit the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation. Another example of the Celtic Community working to support others. 

Festivities began with the parade. Our trolley led the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Waikiki on March 17, starting at Fort Derussy, running down Kalakaua, and finishing at Kapiolani Park. The parade starts at Noon.

Hisotry tells us, Patrick's birthname was Maewyn. He was born in Roman Britain. He was kidnapped into slavery and brought to Ireland.

He escapted to a monastery in Gaul (France) and converted to Christianity. He went back to Ireland in 432 as a missionary. While Christianity had already taken hold in the country, tradition has it that Patrick confronted the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites, making Christianity more widespread.

Patrick became a bishop and after his death was named Ireland's patron saint. Celebrations in Ireland were understated though. When the Irish emigrated to the U.S., they created the bigger celebrations and parades known today.

Eighteenth century Irish soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War held the first St. Patrick Day parades. The celebrations became a way for the Irish to connect with their roots after they moved to America.

Fun Facts:

Hawaii is the last place on the planet to celebrate St. Patrick's Day due to our timezone. Our parade has also been going for more than 50 years! 

The shamrock: According to legend St. Patrick used the three leaf clover (or shamrock) to explain the Trinity.

Dyeing the river green: The practice of dyeing the river green started in Chicago in 1962, when city officials decided to dye a portion of the Chicago River green. This is now common in many cities, including Singapore site of one of the largest festivals outside Ireland.

Corn beef and cabbage: This is an Irish American dish. Irish Americans were so poor they could not afford certain meals. On St. Patrick's Day, the best meal they could afford was beef and cabbage. It became a staple for the holiday.

Thanks to all who made this celebration a success! 

It’s Celtic Days in Hawaii. First weekend in April come join us for the Scottish Highland Festival at McCoy Pavilion. Scots, Irish, all Celts and public welcome!!! #hawaii#blockparty #irish #stpatricksday#stpattysday