Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everybody!

Today, everybody's Irish, and a stranger's a friend you haven't met yet!  On this proud day, paraders march in cities proudly waving their green and orange, Guiness, Kilkenny and Harp are poured by the pint to happy pub patrons, and all of us feel a little lucky on this proud day we celebrate everything the Irish and Celtic traditions have to offer.

St. Patrick's Day was celebrated as far back as the 1600s, honouring the patron saint of Ireland.  Little is known of St. Patrick's history, although he is celebrated for his efforts in the teachings of Christianity, using the shamrock to explain the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  Although more successful missions had passed after the days of St. Patrick, he is still held in esteem as the 'principal champion' of Irish Christianity.  The fantastic creatures we hear of - leprechauns, faeries, a pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow - are all derived from the Irish mythology and folklore of Tuatha De Danann.  There's a little history lesson for you!

So raise a glass of green beer to a man who helped define the culture of the Emerald Isle this evening at your favourite pub, and check out these fantastic finds on Etsy to keep a little 'luck o' the Irish!'

Green earrings, no. 2, designbycassandra.etsy.com

Claddagh Engraved Olive Wood Pen, woodenpenworks.etsy.com

 Green Adventurine Wood Sprial necklace and earring set, CinLynnBoutique.etsy.com

Four Leaf Clover Fingerless Glover, iLzeDR.etsy.com

Irish Celtic Knot Stained Glass, smashingglass.etsy.com

Jade Chiffon shoe clips, blacksatinshoes.etsy.com

Kiss Me I'm Irish, itsfitz.etsy.com

Lady Baltimore textured green travel bag, marjiew.etsy.com

 Ronan, thepixels.etsy.com

Young Irish Dancer illustration, irelandbrady.etsy.com

Lucky Charms wristlet, clairebabydesigns.etsy.com

Rainbow Day bracelet, designbycassandra.etsy.com