Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Lads and Lassies!

St. Patrick was an actual person who lived during the fifth century and is believed to have died on March 17, 461. According to legend, he chased all the snakes out of Ireland and explained the Holy Trinity using the native Irish clover, the shamrock.

Now that we know how the shamrock became a part of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. How on earth did the leprechaun become part of the story?

The original name for leprechaun in Irish is “lobaircin” which means “small-bodied fellow.” In Celtic folklore, leprechauns are cranky souls that were responsible for mending all of the shoes of the other fairies. As much as I enjoy tearing out “mistakes” when I am piecing a quilt, I understand how he feels.

Leprechauns are also known for their trickery, which I’m sure comes in handy when they are protecting their pots-o-gold. Did you know that Leprechauns also have their own holiday on May 13^th, but are also included as part of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration?

With no further ado, here is our new pattern for St. Patrick’s day mug holders (unless, of course, you prefer your green beer in a glass):

This is a “Trinity Celtic Knot”, or “Triquetra”. It represents eternal love, strength, and family unity.

The Shamrock is the national flower of Ireland, and it usually has three leaves. If you find a shamrock that has four leaves, it is said to bring good luck.

The legend of pots of gold at the end of a rainbow may have originated with the Viking invasions of Ireland, around 795 AD. The looted treasure was buried to keep it safe, and was sometimes inadvertently left behind when the Vikings moved on to pillage and plunder elsewhere. Lucky farmers might unearth a pot of gold when preparing the fields for planting! Rainbows are a common sight in Ireland, as the country gets a LOT of rain throughout the year.