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Saint Patrick's Day Essentials

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While St Patrick’s Day wasn't traditionally a time to exchange a lot of Irish gifts, it’s as good a time as any to treat yourself and your family to something Irish. However you are celebrating our most famous patron saint this year, you want to be prepared and have what you need. So… what do you need to have a perfect Paddy’s Day?

A view from behind a large group of people watching a Saint Patrick's Day parade in Dublin.

Cúpla Focal

Irish Americans know the phrase Erin Go Bragh, which is actually anglicized and rarely heard in Ireland. If you really want to use a few practical phrases in Irish, try these.

  • Dia duit is hello. It translates as God be with you. The traditional reply is Dia is Muire duit – God and Mary be with you. Duit is to you when the ‘you’ in question is singular. Greeting a group you would say Dia daiobh. The D in Dia is pronounced like ‘jee’, while the D in duit and daiobh sounds more like English speakers expect. (Jee-ah dwitch and jee-ah deeve) Or you can keep it simple and just say Haigh, pronounced hi.
  • Go raibh maith agat is Irish for thank you. You’ll see Irish people write GRMA. It’s pronounced like gu rah may agut. 
  • Lá Fhéile Padraigh sona duit/ daiobh. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you. The pronunciation is lah fey-luh pah-drig sun-ah, and the duit/ daiobh is the same as above. 

Dress for the Occasion

The color code for the day – and night – is obviously green. That part is easy! But where you are going matters. For a parade on a cold March day, an Aran knit or a Celtic cape will keep you cozy, and a tweed cap is the ideal way to top your look off.

Guinness Bottle Cap T-shirt Green

 

Image from Ireland

 

 

 A crowded pub might be more of an occasion for your favorite Irish t-shirt or sweatshirt. If you got any of these popular Irish gifts for Christmas, this is the perfect occasion to wear them.

Trad Tunes Required

Music is an essential part of Paddy’s Day. It would be a dull day without the marching bands at the parade, the trad tunes at the pub or Irish rock bands at the house party.

Image from Ireland

Irish music isn’t only the soundtrack from Riverdance, as fantastic as that is. Rock stars such as Thin Lizzy,  U2, Sinead O’Connor, the Cranberries and  Snow Patrol are part of the pantheon of Irish music. Don’t forget new acts such as CMAT, Fontaines DC, Kneecap, Cardinals and others show what a diversity of talent this little island offers.

Accessories 

Details matter. The perfect finishing touches for whatever you are wearing and wherever you are going are some Celtic accessories. Claddagh rings, shamrock necklaces and earrings, or dazzling emerald pendants with swirling motifs inspired by Newgrange, might be small, but they make a big statement.

10k Gold Malachite Shamrock Stud Earrings

10k Gold Malachite Shamrock Stud Earrings

Wrap up with an Aran or plaid scarf while you watch the parade. Enjoy the light catching your Celtic bracelet as you raise a pint. 

Merino Aran Knit Button Pom-Pom Hat

Woman wearing a green colored merino Anan Knit button pom-pom hat standing in a park

However you enjoy spending Paddy’s Day, you’ll feel more in the swing of it with a few words of Irish, the right trad-inspired playlist and a look that includes some wearable Irish gifts. Just don’t call it Patty’s Day and you’ll be alright!

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