We could all use a little extra luck of the Irish during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. While plans will be different this year, at least we'll be able to plan ahead unlike last year. So, here are some safe and fun ideas for celebrating. Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig dhuit!
1) Wear Green - It's the color of a shamrock. A symbol of defiance against British oppression that has become a symbol of Ireland itself. A way to show kinship with Gaelic people.
2) Celebrate With Family and Friends With Video Chat - Use Zoom, Skype, Facetime, or other video chat service to talk with family and friends that are near and far. Start a "room" where people can join you for the night. Let them come and go as they please.
4) Stream An Irish Parade - Well, that's been cancelled... But, March 12-17th, Dublin is hosting the St. Patrick's Festival instead. More information at:
http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/
5) Have Your Favorite Irish Foods - It doesn't get more Irish than corned beef and cabbage: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/16310/corned-beef-and-cabbage-i/. But, there's more than just that. Try making soda bread, oysters, Irish stew, colcannon and champ, boxty, smoked salmon, black and white pudding, coddle, and/or barmbrack.
6) Have a Pint (or two)! - This is why we're all Irish on Saint Patrick's day, right? And we all know about Guinness. But, you may want to try Murphy's, Kilkenny, Smithwick, Harp, Hop House, O'Hara's, Porterhouse, or Wild Irish Goose too.
Don't like beer? Try Magners cider
Looking for something stronger? Look for Irish whiskey like Dead Rabbit, Tullamore D.E.W., Redbreast, Bushmills, Jameson, Teeling, Sexton, Knappogue Castle, Green Spot, Powers Gold Label, Tyrconnell, and/or Slane. But, maybe in something more moderate than in a pint glass...
7) Irish Music - It's time to expand your playlist. Here are some suggestions: U2, Thin Lizzy, Rusangano Family, Fight Like Apes, SOAK, Fontaines DC, Damien Rice, Adrian Crowley, David Holmes, Chequerboard, Villagers, Ash, Andy Irvine and Paul Brady, Talos Republic of Loose, The Frank and Walters, Just Mustard, The Cranberries, Therapy?, Van Morrison, The Frames, Enya, Two Door Cinema Club, Rejjie Snow, Lankum, Kojaque, Clannad, Planxty, James Vincent McMorrow, The Divine Comedy, Gemma Hayes, The Sultans of Ping FC, Jafaris, The Undertones, The Pogues, Rollerskate Skinny, My Bloody Valentine, Fatima Mansions, Cathy Davey, Sinead O'Connor, The Immediate, Roisin Murphy, Whipping Boy, A House, and Girl Band.
8) Share Memories - Ask questions like "what was your best St. Patrick's Day?" "what is your earliest St. Patrick's memory?" and "what's the strangest thing you've experienced during St. Patrick's Day?" Get things started and it can provide you fun entertainment.
9) Share Memories Online - Post a St Patrick's Day photo and tell us a story about it. Let us know who was there, what you're doing, when this happened, where it was, and why it was special. Then invite your friends and family to do the same.
10) Irish Movie Marathon - There's lots of great Irish movies. Here is a small list: My Left Foot, The Young Offenders, Cardboard Gangsters, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, The Irish Pub, The Crying Game, The Snapper, Once, Brooklyn, In the Name of the Father, The Guard, Sing Street, Bloody Sunday, Frank, The Quiet Man, The Commitments, The Secret of Kells, Philomena, The Magdalene Sisters, In America, and The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
11) Online Games - Join friends and family to play games. Some good ones are: SongPop, Heads Up Houseparty, Ticket To Ride, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart Tour, Coin Master, Harry Potter: Hogwarts mystery, Exploding Kittens, Words With Friends, Werewolf, Jackbox, Scrabble, Clue, Marvel Strike Force, Fortnite, Golf Battle, Quiz Up, Scattergories, Fishdom, and so many more!!!
12) Get Dressed Up - Want St Patrick's Day to feel special? Wear something fancy. We've all been home wearing pajamas and being lazy. Do something fun, eat a nice meal, and take photos while looking stylish.
