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Saint Patrick’s Day. Many Americans will note, observe, even celebrate this Irish holiday, come next Tuesday.

New York City boasts the largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the U.S. There will be an all-out wearing O’ the green, for sure, in the Big Apple.

Shamrocks and leprechauns. Both strongly symbolic of the Emerald Isle. The Gaelic term (word) for Ireland is Eire.

The three leaves of a shamrock represent the Holy Trinity, according to Saint Patrick.

The leprechaun is one of a race of elves who are cobblers and have hidden treasure. Some wielded a shillelagh, which was a club or cudgel. Be careful around a leprechaun, now. Ugly little fellows.

Ireland, excluding Northern Ireland, is predominantly Catholic, of course.

Not to suggest any linkage between their religion and love of alcoholic spirits, but fairly or not, the Irish bear a bit of a reputation of, well, enthusiasm for drink. The men do, that is.

You know, an Irishman walked out of a bar. Well … it COULD happen!

Then there was Paddy who, encountering his oldest and best friend, Seamus, said, “It’s bad news I have, Seamus.”

“What would that be, Paddy?”

“Me doctor says me days are numbered, old friend.”

“Ah, Paddy. ‘Tis bad news, indeed. And what might I do for ye?”

“Well, now. When me time does come, would ye be willing to pour a pint of Old Bushmills over me grave? For old times’ sake.”

“For you, dear friend, anything. But … would ye mind if I ran it through me kidneys first?”

And did you know, Saint Patrick was actually born in Britain? ‘Tis true. Yet he came to be the patron saint of Ireland and preached Christianity.

So, friends, here’s to a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all of us.

On March 17 let us lift our glasses (whatever they may contain) high, for on that day we’re all Irish.

Cheers.

(Note: It was announced Thursday that New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, for the first time in 250 years, has been postponed.)