Party with a St Daffy’s
The Day
March the 17th is the date when St Patrick moved on from this world to the next and is celebrated each year as the day when the world relishes the very best of everything Irish; celebrating by feasting, drinking and music.
The Man
Born in the 5th century, St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and here’s why- according to the Confession of Patrick, when he was around 16 years of age and a non-believer, he was captured by Irish pirates from his home in Roman Britain, probably Cumbria, taken as a slave to Ireland where he lived for six years before working as a shepherd, spiritually developing, escaping and returning back to his family. St Patrick then became a cleric and returned to northern and then western Ireland, using the shamrock to preach about the trinity. In later life, he served as an ordained bishop, though little is known about the places where he worked, he is cited as the kindest, fairest and wisest of all the holy men in Ireland. By the seventh century, he was revered as the patron saint of Ireland.
The Legend
Legend says that St Patrick of course drove all the snakes from Ireland. At Lough Derg “red lake”, County Donegal, it is claimed that Patrick killed a large serpent and that its blood turned the entire water red. Each August, pilgrims spend three days fasting and praying there on Station Island. Bottom line is that St Patrick did not like snakes!
St Patrick’s Day has evolved into a truly global celebration of all things Irish the world over and with an estimated 7 thousand Irish pubs globally – there are many greats to check out if you can.. Some of the most renowned are Ri Ra – Georgetown, Washington DC, Paddy O’Shea’s – Beijing, PJ O’Brien’s – Sydney, St Stephen’s green – Mountain View California, Harefield Road – Brooklyn NY and Stolly’s – Paris.
The Celebration
To add to the celebrations this year Muriel’s Bar in Belfast have created a St Patrick’s Day inspired masterpiece with Daffy’s Gin called ‘St Daffy’s’.
Here is the recipe: Daffys gin, mint leaves, roses lime cordial, elderflower cordial, sugar syrup, freshly squeezed lime juice shaken and topped with soda water. Served over crushed ice in a tall stemmed glass and garnished with a shamrock shaped mint sprig!
We hope you love it.
Happy St Paddy’s Day one and all!
xx