There'll
not be a dry eye on March 17th as pints
flow, glasses are raised and Irish immigrants all
over Italy toast the land they left behind.
It's
official. The Saint Patrick's Day celebrations in
Ireland have been postponed
. So it's up to the Irish community in Italy to
fly the flag high and organize a party to remember.
There are only two essential ingredients to ensure
a good night's craic: music and drink. And if you're
with a group of Irish people you'll be sure of both
of these.
The man himself
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and
every year his feast day falls on March 17th. Patrick
first came to Ireland as a slave in the 5th century,
but he escaped to Europe and became a Christian
priest. Patrick returned to Ireland as a bishop
and is credited with introducing Christianity to
Ireland.
He used a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to
the Irish and since then shamrocks have become a
symbol of Ireland. Legend says that Patrick banished
the snakes from Ireland - the Irish claim he sent
them off to England - and that is the reason why
there are no wild snakes in Ireland to this day.
This year the Irish charity Goal has organized a
'buy-a-badge'
campaign. By buying a shamrock-shaped badge you
can help people in the developing world.
Drowning the shamrock
Once
you have donned your shamrock you then have to set
about 'drowning' it. Don't worry, it's not as cruel
as it sounds: all you need is a bottle and a few
friends. Head for the nearest Irish pub - there
are more Irish pubs than Irish people in Italy -
and drown your shamrock in a pint
of plain . You might even hit on a session,
or, if the drink's good, start one off yourself!
If you're in the Bergamo area you might like to
catch some of the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations
organized by the Music-On
Cultural Association. While those of you near
Trento shouldn't miss the traditional singer Niamh
Parsons in concert. There are celebrations all
week in Florence at the Palasport and the Donegal
Pub in Ancona has organized a series of sessions
featuring well-known groups such as Cian and Calico.
Cagliari in Sardinia is holding its Third Saint
Patrick's Day Festival, with exhibitions, talks
and readings as well as the usual concerts and sessions
(for information ring 03387419711 - 03397830261).
Whereas Celts in Puglia will have to wait until
September when the First Celtic Music Festival will
be held in Taurisana, Lecce. Contact Vittorio, the
organizer, at vittoriociurlia@tiscalinet.it
for information.
Missing home
You wouldn't be Irish if you didn't feel a bit
homesick on Paddy's Day. Keep in touch with what's
happening back at home by reading the Irish
Times . Surprise your family by sending then
a Saint
Patrick's Day card . Cheer up - there's lots
of Irish-stuff going on in Italy too. The Celtic
World Association keeps up-to-date listings
of all Celtic-interest events in Italy and the AICI
(Associazione Interculturale Italo-Irlandese) organizes
meetings and film evenings for its members. And
finish off with a visit to our friend Lorenzo's
homepage. It's a goldmine of information for musicians
and listeners alike.
www.celticworld.it
An excellent website with clear concise information on celtic-related
events in Italy. Includes a mailing list. (In Italian only) www.ireland.com Ireland's most popular daily newspaper, the Irish Times,
on the Web. (English only) ireland.travel.ie
Bord Failte, the Irish Travel Board's official website. Lots of
tourist information on going to and travelling around Ireland.
(In English) stranierinitalia.com Find out about your rights living as a foreigner in Italy.
(In English, Italian, French, Spanish and Arab.)
THE SURVIVOR'S 
It's
official. The Saint Patrick's Day celebrations in
Ireland have been 
Once
you have donned your shamrock you then have to set
about 'drowning' it. Don't worry, it's not as cruel
as it sounds: all you need is a bottle and a few
friends. Head for the nearest Irish pub - there
are more Irish pubs than Irish people in Italy -
and drown your shamrock in a 
