ST. PATRICK'S DAY

On Monday, March 15, Betty, Melanie and I celebrated St. Patrick's Day a little early by going to The Buttai Barn for a special St. Patrick's Day Festival which was being held for the entire week. Other than Melanie, I was probably the youngest person there. We actually had to wait for lunch because the bus carrying the "Sydney Widows" was delayed.

St. Patrick's Day Trivia: First St. Patrick's Day Parade took place in 1737 in Boston

For mid-morning tea we had two types of warm scones, plain and date, served with honey and cream. Coffee and tea was also provided. Before lunch was served, we were entertained with Irish music by two musicians; one playing the fiddle and the other one who sang and played several instruments (guitar, accordian, irish drum, harmonica).

St. Patrick's Day Trivia: St. Patrick's Day did not become a national holiday in Ireland until 1903 and the first parade (held in Dublin) wasn't held until 1931.

Lunch consisted of 3 types of meat (pork, chicken and beef), potatoes, roasted pumpkin, carrots and peas, bread, and dessert. Everything was delicious! After lunch we were entertained again by the musicians and also by three young ladies who danced the Irish jig. It was a fun and relaxing day.

St. Patrick was known for banishing dangerous animals from Ireland, particularly snakes, according to legend.

The barn was decorated with Shamrocks, the table was decorated with green centerpieces and they even used green cups for the coffee and tea. The waitresses were all dressed in green and had green wigs! I of course, wore my green.

St. Patrick's Day Trivia: There are more Americans of Irish origin than there are Irish in Ireland (36 million Americans claimed Irish ancestry in 2008; population of Ireland was 4.4 million at the time).