In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17, I’ve compiled a list of 17 confessions, truths and facts about those of us lucky enough to call ourselves Irish.
1. Your family is probably huge.
Having a million cousins is the norm when you're Irish and, odds are, you probably have five family members with the same name…and it is probably an Irish one.
2. Being raised Catholic.
Your huge family is also full of Catholics (forget the Church of England, am I right?). Bonus points: Being Irish Catholic means you’ll sit in the back of the church even when its empty.
3. Knowing the importance of an Irish exit.
The Irish exit/goodbye isn’t just a talent, but an art form. Leaving without a fuss is truly the way to go.
4. Potatoes are your favorite food.
Or, at least, the only vegetable your mom can cook.
5. And that an Irish Sunburn has nothing to do with the sun.
6. Learning the importance of respecting your elders.
In my family, this meant being taught how to open a beer bottle for my grandpa.
7. Being Notre Dame’s number one fan.
Even if one or no one in your family ever attended, there is no way you can love anyone more than the Fighting Irish.
8. You wear your Claddagh ring and Celtic cross daily.
They’re not for fashion, they’re tradition.
9. Your family also being understandably obsessed with the Kennedys.
The first Catholic president of the United States, an attorney general, a longtime senator and advocates for special needs and mental health, all from a prominent Boston Irish family. Does it get better? Long live Camelot.
10. Being raised to know all the words to “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “Danny Boy."
Or knowing when to clap during the Wild Rover.
11. These songs being played at all your family weddings… AND funerals.
A song that can be played at both weddings and funerals? These both defy the odds.
12. Having the Irish Blessing or Céad Míle Fáilte hanging somewhere in your house.
Your memorized your name, the Our Father and then these two.
13. Having an elderly person in your family who calls your freckles “Angel’s kisses.”
Early signs of skin damage? Not a chance if they’re from Heaven!
14. Don’t know any pop top ten songs but know the greatest songs of The Pogues and The Dubliners.
Celtic Thunder and Celtic Women are pretty sweet too.
15. Knowing Boston is clearly America’s most blessed city for being the most Irish.
Twenty percent of people in the Greatest City on Earth claim to have a hold of the Great Ancestry on Earth. It’s the best of both worlds. Southie and Dorchester, we salute you.
16. Green isn’t just a color you wear one day a year.
Actually, it might be.
17. Feeling grateful that, every year, you can be reminded how “lucky” you are to be part of the greatest heritage in the world.
Because we all know: When Irish hearts are happy, all the world seems bright and gay, And when Irish eyes are smiling, sure, they steal your heart away!
Sláinte and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
