Ask any Irish Catholic if they are one hundred percent Irish and you will get a yes! I mean that German grandfather or Italian great grandmother is beside the point. That other half doesn't matter because we are Irish and that's what does! Growing up in a Irish Catholic family means that you have had some good meals and have probably seen your uncle drink about 6 beers in less than an hour. Okay that might be an exaggeration, maybe 5 beers. Here are some things that any person from an Irish Catholic family will understand.
1. Is that the smell of beer?
At almost every family party you will see an Irish jig in the background and get that familiar whiff of a beer. Well not the Irish jig part but definitely the beer.
2. Nanny and Popi, is there any other name to call your grandparents?
Most people say grandma and grandpa or nana and papa and so many countless others. But ask any Irish what they call their grandma and you will most likely hear Nanny. There is no better name then Nanny and Popi.
3. Funerals turn into a party.
There is of course grieving but what better way to spend this time with loved ones celebrating the life of the lost and knowing that they are in a better place. There is dancing, drinking, laughing, and maybe some tears but most importantly the support of those around.
4. Those damn British!
This is not really that present now but you can bet my grandmother would roll her eyes at any one who was British. I guess there might still be a bit of resentment from that little thing called the potato famine. But hey, without that my ancestors wouldn’t have come to America and blessed our family to be born in the greatest country in the world!
5. Yes I know I have a lot of cousins!
Sometimes it’s hard to get everyone together but when we do its for sure a party! A family picture might have to result in a bit of photoshop to get everyone’s face in it where they are not talking or laughing. Big families are the way the Irish do it. It’s just more amazing people to love!
6. Tweed. Tweed. Tweed.
If your father or grandfather never wore tweed then are you really Irish? Those Irish tweed caps will never go out of style for an Irishman.
7. What is that prayer hung up on the wall?
It's the Irish Blessing of course! My grandmother had it hung on her kitchen wall, that's for sure! Most know it but some don't. That's okay because I still need to memorize it too.
8. St. Patrick’s Day, a day where everyone is Irish.
Even though they don’t celebrate it in Ireland, where it’s more of a religious holiday rather then a drinking one, it is still an amazing day here in the US! It’s where we bring out all those Guinness T-shirts and that green apparel we know and love. I bet others don’t wear it as proudly as we do!
9. I swear I saw the leprechaun Dad!
I can say for sure that I believed in leprechauns a lot longer then I believed in Santa. I mean why can’t a little man with red hair and a green suit be real? It seems pretty plausible to me. But you must remember, if you see a Leprechaun you can’t take your eyes off of him or he will disappear and most of all it will give you good luck.
10. Whats that ring that has those two hands holding a heart with a crown?
It's actually called a Claddagh ring! The Claddagh can also be seen on necklaces and so many other types of jewelry. The hands represent friendship, the heart shows qualities of love, while the crown is loyalty. There are so many amazing celtic symbols that have such a deeper meaning. My Claddagh ring will always be something that I will hold onto forever. Remember to always keep that heart facing out unless you are taken you rascal!
I wouldn't trade my family for any thing in the world. Growing up I learned how important my faith is and knowing I’ll always have the support of those around me. I always look forward to every time I get to see my crazy big loving family. Maybe next time we'll actually do an Irish jig!
Remember the next time you meet an Irish Catholic ask them how Irish they really are!
