European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 16, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Daily Magazine Salute to Ireland s proud heritage a illustration of the Ysido Schapiro new York Bureau on St. Patrick s Day the world Wear Green kisses the Blarney Stone and shouts Erin go  17 is at once a Clarion of Spring a Saint s Day and the Celebration of a people. At least 20 million americans Are of Irish descent. At this time of the year the thoughts of the Irish everywhere overseas turn with emotion mixed with Pride to the land of their birth. Irish from Montreal to Melbourne from California to Cape town whether labourers or nuclear scientists become deeply aware of their common heritage. Kelly or Klein Gallagher or Goldberg Irish roots run deep. It is recorded in county Limerick that in 1788 one Jacob Schweitzer from Germany and a resident of Balli Garry married a Cork lady by the name of Fanny Levy. The Schweitzer had a flour Mill in the District which is still known As Schweitzer s Mill. In recent years Robert Briscoe became one of the Best known jews in Ireland while serving As lord mayor of Dublin. Gerald Goldberg not quite so famous but equally successful become lord mayor of Cork. What does new York do for the 224th rendition of a hit that has played for 223 years you give pm gilded glockenspiel and pounding Drums prancing mounts and preening politicians giggling children and several Miles of marchers in brightly coloured uniforms and you Call it a St. Patrick s Day Parade. It will happen like that March 17 and to be part of it several Hundred thousand of the Irish and their friends will cram the sidewalks of Manhattan s fifth Avenue. The annual event has been staged without a break since 1762. The Irish of course March in Ireland on St. Patrick s Day just As they do in the United states. There will be parades honouring St. Patrick not Only in Ireland s major cities but also in most of the smaller towns and villages. There will even be a St. Patrick s Day Parade in the Village of Dingle in county Kerry that starts at 6 30 . So the 2,000 locals can boast they Are the first in the country to celebrate the Saint on his feast Day. In contrast to observances in the United states Irish parades Are much More subdued partially at least because the Irish Honor their Patron Saint every Day All year round. It is virtually impossible to travel anywhere in Ireland without coming across something a Church a school a Seminary a statue even a Mountain or two that in t associated with dedicated to or depicts St. Patrick. Green is the color universally associated with Ireland and St. Patrick s Day. There Are Many interesting stories and legends about the actual origin of the connection of Green with Ireland. Most reverend of course would be the Story of Saint Patrick s use of the Little Green Shamrock to symbolize the Trinity. It is True too that a special ritual of ancient Ireland was the inclusion of the budding greens with old Brambles in Spring bonfires in the Hope that the Ash residue which would be scattered by the March winds Over the soft Earth would make the Fields and pastures Lush and Greener. The perfect Green Beauty and clarity of a most precious Gem the Emerald has inspired Many of Ireland s poets and writers to refer to her As the Emerald  and did not the noted Irish dramatist Dion Boucicaut make popular forever the stirring Street Ballad the wearing of the Green. As everybody knows to kiss the Blarney Stone is to obtain a fluent flattering but not Overly sincere Tongue. The legendary Stone a Limestone Rock got its name from one Cormack m Dermod Carthy in 1602 when he held Blarney Castle against an invading English Garrison. Carthy concluded a Fine armistice with the English in which he surrendered the fort to the Black and tans. Carthy then put off the English with flowery promises and false pretexts. The Leader of the English became the laughingstock of Queen Elizabeth s court and Carthy s honeyed but delusive speeches were dubbed  in the 1920s and 1930s the widely read comic strip bringing up father or Maggie and Jiggs by George Mcmanus greatly popularized corned beef and cabbage. Jiggs the lovable easygoing unmistakably Irish american father in the strip was Hen pecked by a domineering wife and harassed by countless pressures. He evoked sympathy and understanding from his readers when he sought escape and Solace by partaking of his favorite meal corned beef and cabbage. Strange As it May seem this is not at All an Irish dish. In fact it is rarely if Ever served in Ireland. How then did it become associated with the Irish corned beef and cabbage is traditionally the new England boiled dinner dating Back even to colonial times boiled in a Large pot Over an open fire. The beef was preserved by coating it with grains of Salt or immersing it in brine. It was then combined with Root vegetables readily available such As potatoes cabbage beets carrots and turnips. When Irish immigrants came in Large numbers to the Boston area in the latter part of the 19th Century it was natural that this new England dinner would be adopted As their own. It resembled their favorite at Home in Ireland As Ham or Bacon and cabbage a Salty Zesty meal boiled with familiar vegetables All in one pot. Not Only did it satisfy the Workingman s appetite but it could feed Many Little Mouths too. For the housewife it was perfect providing a healthful dinner for her family a delightful nostalgic Aroma and most importantly it enabled her to attend to her Many chores while it simmered almost unattended for hours. When the Irish entertain you formally they do so in Force. They go around the room and each guest performs. A Tenor will sing. A husband and wife May do a humorous dialogue. A quartet is easily formed. And the speeches and toasts your Glass is never empty. Sunday March 16, 1986 the stars and stripes Page 13