St. Patrick's Day

Take a quick listen to this sweet Irish tune, and take a quick guess as to who it is? No guess? It's a young pre-007 Sean Connery! Darby O'Gill and The Little People was one of my favorite childhood movies. Sean Connery played the dashing Michael McBride who wins the heart of young Katie O'Gill. If you've never seen this film, do so immediately.

Because we considered our Irish heritage to be very important growing up (and still do) St. Patrick's Day was treated with as much hoopla as Christmas or Easter. My grandparents would host a huge Corned Beef & Cabbage dinner. Family that we wouldn't even see at Christmas would come out for the annual McGuire St. Patrick's Day dinner. MY grandfather sang barbershop, so many of his friends would be there. Along with all the other members of the family that sang and performed.

I'm actually pretty sure I never heard my Grandpa sing this song, but at the same time I remember always knowing the chorus. For whatever the reason whenever I hear it, it takes me back to those childhood St. Patrick's Day parties at Grandma & Grandpa's house. All of us kids wearing green and dancing jigs and running in and out of all the different groups of adults.

I remember my grandpa and his friends singing in the living room, and eating dinner with my cousins at the kids table. A true holiday full of magic and family and lots of music. Tomorrow my kids will eat soda bread, and hunt for leprechauns gold, as I carry on the traditions and create new ones.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!