On both sides of my family, my ancestors descend from the land of Ireland. The land of good luck, pubs and green. Ireland is full of wonderful people, magical stories and great family traditions. Here are some signs you grew up in an Irish Catholic family.
1. Your number one priority on a Sunday is mass.
If you are Irish Catholic, you best bet that you will have your behind in your local church’s pew on Sunday morning. There is pretty much no exception for missing mass, unless you are deathly ill (even then you might have to go). Don’t try and pull the excuse, "Oh I went with school this week” or, “But we went to a funeral/wedding yesterday” or, “But it’s vacation!” Nope. If your mother, like my mother, doesn’t count any of these as valid excuses, because “You need to hear the readings from this Sunday!” then sorry Charlie, you have to go to church. You are also probably good family friends with your local priests. Also, there is a very likely chance you were dragged into being an alter-server, part of your church choir, or a lector/usher at a very young age, and were loyal to this occupation until at least the high school years. God bless you.
2. Traditional Irish music.
In my family, ever since I was little, we have had traditional Irish music being played at almost all of our family parties. Whether it be the Riverdance soundtrack, Paddy Reilly, the Chieftans or the Celtic Women, our family has always enjoyed singing along or just listening to this music, attempting and failing to Irish step-dance.
3. There are no food delicacies.
You know how Italians or Hispanics have wonderful meals that they prepare in tribute to their heritage? Manicotti, enchiladas, whatever the dish may be, the Irish do not have the same fortune. There is no food that is really an Irish delicacy, other than the potato, which you can prepare in several different ways. Mashed, fried, tater-tots, baked and scalloped, potatoes are a God-given gift. Without them, the Irish people became very sick and died during the Irish potato famine. Needless to say, we hold this starch very close to our hearts. But other than that, the Irish don’t really have a specific ‘food’ or meal. However, we do prepare corned beef and cabbage every Saint Patrick’s Day. We are also very good at preparing other culture’s meals. My Grammy knows how to make a mean mostaccioli. The Irish also do know how to hold their liquor. If you are looking for alcohol, look no further than a family party.
4. You have a big family.
If you are part of an Irish Catholic family, you are most likely one of many siblings. I am personally the oldest of four girls, and whenever someone meets our family, they are shocked that we come from such a big family. I never will see the day where those promotions to go to Disney world with your “family of four” will apply, because I’d need two more tickets. You most likely have a lot of cousins, who also have more than one additional sibling, and there is a good chance you share the same first name as one of them. Family gatherings always consist of late nights, playing games, lots of loud conversations/arguments, drinking and mass quantities of food.
5. Kathleen, Kevin, Bridget, Patrick, John …
On both sides of my family, there are a plethora of good old Irish names to chose from. There is a good chance you are named after a saint/multiple saints, or someone in your family who is older than you. My name is “Kathleen Clare.” Kathleen, shockingly isn’t a saint’s name, but is the "more Irish version of Katherine,” and Clare is not only a saint’s name, but the name of the county in Ireland where my great grandpa is from. Double-whammy. Your last name is probably O’something or Mc-something. Also, the women in your family probably have the ‘Irish-name curse,” which is when calling your name, they call you by the wrong first name maybe six times before they get yours. For example, when my Grammy is trying to get my attention, she will say, “Sarah-Juliana-Erin-Mary-Bridget-Maddy … I mean whatever the hell your name is, Katie!”
6. You own lots of Irish paraphernalia.
If you are Irish, you own many things that ell everyone so. You may own a “Kiss Me I’m Irish!” t-shirt, a claddagh ring, a Celtic cross of some sort or a plaque of the Irish blessing somewhere in your house. If there is an Irish store within a close proximity, you know your family will be stopping there. Whatever it may be, you show it off loud and proud to tell everyone that you hail from the land of Blarney. You have no shame in letting the world know where your roots hail from.
7. “I’m going to Ireland.”
You either have already been, or are planning to go to the homeland. Every Irish person has a strong desire to go back to the Old country, and trace their roots back, maybe even stay with some distant cousins. It is an important tribute to our heritage and dream to go and see where you came from. There, your pale skin will thrive and your freckles will glow in the murky, cold air.
8. You take every chance you get to celebrate your heritage.
If there is some type of tribute to Ireland going on, you and your family are on it. Whether it be Irish fest, going to an Irish pub, watching Irish-step dancing, or of course, Saint Patrick’s Day, you and your family are right there, sporting your green and shamrock-decked apparel, and having a good old time. Enjoy your Guinness, drink and be merry, and celebrate who you are.
Whether you are a just a little Irish, or you bleed orange and green, being Irish is a wonderful blessing that you shouldn’t take for granted. You hail from a wonderful land, that has given you a great family and wonderful traditions. I am so blessed to be Irish and for all of the things my heritage has given me. Celebrate who you are and remember, “If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough!”
