Happy (almost) St. Patty's Day!

I have an amazing interview scheduled to go up on the blog tomorrow, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to wish you all Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit!

(That's Happy St. Patrick's Day, kidlets.)

You guys were totally expecting something with redheaded leprechauns drinking Guinness from mugs, weren't ya? But no, I went with the creepy B&W photo of Leamaneagh Castle in Kilfenora, Co. Clare where in the mid-17th Century "Red Mary" pushed her second husband out of the third story window after he made a crack about her first husband. She supposedly still haunts the grounds.

Now, while half the world spends tomorrow wearing green, pinching those not wearing green, eating green food and drinking green beer, I'd like to remind you all why the color green is so important to Irish freedom and identity.

*ahem*

O Paddy dear, and did ye hear the news that's goin' round?
The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground!
No more Saint Patrick's Day we'll keep, his color can't be seen
For there's a cruel law ag'in the Wearin' o' the Green."

I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand
And he said, "How's poor old Ireland, and how does she stand?"
"She's the most distressful country that ever yet was seen
For they're hanging men and women there for the Wearin' o' the Green."

So if the color we must wear be England's cruel red
Let it remind us of the blood that Irishmen have shed
And pull the shamrock from your hat, and throw it on the sod
But never fear, 'twill take root there, though underfoot 'tis trod.

When laws can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow
And when the leaves in summer-time their color dare not show
Then I will change the color too I wear in my caubeen
But till that day, please God, I'll stick to the Wearin' o' the Green.