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Brittney Moody
For many Michigan State University students, St. Patrick’s Day is just another reason to skip classes and stumble into a drunken stupor. St. Patrick was a patron saint in Ireland, known most for converting native pagans to Christianity. It is unconfirmed how Americans came to associate this celebration of St. Patrick’s life with binge drinking; however there are many myths and assumptions to go by. “You always hear that Irishmen are such heavy drinkers, I think that helped these traditions to evolve,” said Nicole Search, advertising senior at MSU. She is correct; many assume that because Irish pubs are popular in the country, that this is an important aspect to their culture and to St. Patrick’s Day itself. “I’m not really sure why people drink so much on St. Patty’s Day. I participate, but I guess I’ve never really stopped to think of why,” said Search. Search however does has an interest in this area because her father is 100 percent Irish. “It’s a part of who I am, and there is obviously more to the day than drinking,” said Search who still went to the bars Monday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Search now plans on researching the topic and finding what St. Patrick’s Day is truly about. Aside from the general viewpoint that the Irish are big drinkers, there is a myth about St. Patrick that brought drinking to the table to begin with. Legend says St. Patrick made a contribution known as the Pota Phadraig. The Pota Phadraig supposedly began when he was staying at an inn and the innkeeper served him a less than substantial glass of whiskey. Patrick proceeded to say that the devil was present in the cellar and that in order for the innkeeper to save himself from his fate he would have to be more giving. The servings of the whiskey improved immensely and in turn for the increased generosity Patrick sent the devil away. After this day, Patrick declared that in celebration everyone should have a drink, which today is known as “drowning the shamrock.” This is the term because there is a tradition to float a shamrock in the drink before consumption. Following the same assumptions of the Pota Phadraig, in Ireland in order to drown the shamrock, after Mass Irishmen would empty “Patrick’s Pot” filled of alcohol and would keep emptying it until the pubs closed. “I’ve heard the legends before and there is something about the Pota Phadraig that is supposed to bring you luck,” said Amy Wilson, a student who went to Ireland two years ago. After looking into Wilson’s claim, it was discovered that after emptying “Patrick’s Pot,” the shamrock was supposed to be placed into the glass which would be the final drink. Then whiskey was to be poured on top of the shamrock and if flung over the left shoulder you would receive good luck. With so many perspectives and such a different view on the religious aspect it is hard to agree upon tall tales and fact. “When I was in Ireland all the businesses closed but the pubs stay open. Drinking is definitely a part of it, but I think it’s more social there than it is with Americans who are just trying to get obliterated,” Wilson said. Another popular outlook is derived from the fact that St. Patrick’s Day falls during Lent, and tradition says that on St. Patrick’s Day people can reprieve Lent for the day and share in social drinking. “If for no other reason we can all be Irish for the day,” said Wilson. Questions? Comments? Contact Brittney Moody at moodybri@msu.edu
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