First off… I owe you an apology.

I’m so sorry this hasn’t landed in your inbox in months. Life has been full on, between moving, family, work, and everything in between, I’ve been completely up the walls. But I’ve missed this. And I’m glad to be back writing to you.

And there’s no better time to bring it back than this week.

📱 What I’ve Been Up To

Over the past few months, I’ve actually been putting a lot more focus into Facebook and video content. Along with YouTube

If you haven’t joined yet, come over and follow along here:

https://www.facebook.com/irisharound/

I’ve been putting out a lot of short Irish history and story videos lately, for example:

The story behind Irish coffee

And the truth about St Patrick and the snakes:

Would love it if you checked them out, it’s something I’m really enjoying building.

And yes, my voice has not turned into a female Irish person; it's, in fact, an assistant I've hired to help me make the videos.

☘️ The Irish Blessing That Travelled the World

With St Patrick’s Day here, you’ll see Ireland everywhere.

Green flags. Packed pubs. Music. Pints. Parades.

But behind all of that, there’s something much older and much quieter that has travelled even further than any parade ever could. The Irish blessing.

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And the rain fall soft upon your fields

These words weren’t written for celebrations.

They came from a time when leaving home meant uncertainty. When the weather decides your fate. When journeys were long, not everyone made it back.

A blessing like this was more than just nice words. It was protection. It was hope. It was a way of saying, “I might not see you again, but I wish you well.”

And then Ireland changed.

Famine. Emigration. Millions leaving.

Those same words travelled across oceans, carried in pockets, memories, and stories. From Ireland to America, Australia, the UK, and far beyond.

Today, they’re still here.

Not just as tradition, but as a quiet thread connecting Irish people everywhere.

No matter where you are reading this from, you are part of that story.

🧠 Irish Quiz of the Week

Let’s see how you do:

1. Did Ireland ever actually have snakes?

A) Yes

B) No

2. What colour was originally associated with St Patrick?

A) Green

B) Blue

3. What does the shamrock symbolise?

A) Luck

B) The Holy Trinity

4. Which city dyes its river green every year?

A) Boston

B) Chicago

Answers below… don’t cheat.

🇮🇪 Irish Word of the Week

Sláinte (pronounced slawn-cha)

Meaning: Health

Used when raising a glass, wishing good health to those around you.

😂 Irish Joke of the Week

I told my mate I’d only have one pint for St Patrick’s Day.

He said, “Which one?”

Fair question.

📜 On This Day

March 17th marks Saint Patrick’s Day, the day Ireland’s patron saint is believed to have died in the 5th century.

But the story behind the day goes much deeper than most people realise.

Saint Patrick wasn’t actually Irish. He was born in Britain and, as a teenager, was kidnapped by Irish raiders and brought to Ireland as a slave. He spent years herding animals in harsh conditions before eventually escaping and returning home.

Years later, he chose to come back.

Not as a prisoner, but as a missionary.

He played a major role in spreading Christianity across Ireland, often using familiar Irish symbols to explain his teachings. One of the most famous is the shamrock, which he is said to have used to represent the Holy Trinity.

Over time, stories and legends grew around him.

The most famous being that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. In reality, Ireland never had snakes after the Ice Age, so many believe this story symbolises the decline of pagan traditions rather than a literal event.

For centuries, March 17th was observed as a religious feast day in Ireland. It was a quieter occasion, marked by church services and time spent with family.

The global celebration we know today didn’t actually start in Ireland.

It grew through the Irish diaspora.

As millions of Irish people emigrated, especially during and after the Great Famine, they brought their traditions with them. In cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago, Irish communities began organising parades and celebrations as a way to stay connected to their roots.

Over time, those celebrations grew.

Today, St Patrick’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated cultural events in the world. Landmarks are lit up green, rivers are dyed, and people with Irish heritage, and even those without, come together to celebrate.

Back in Ireland, the day has also evolved. What was once mainly religious is now a mix of tradition, tourism, music, and community, while still holding onto its deeper meaning.

At its core, the day is about more than pints and parades.

It’s about identity.

It’s about history.

And it’s about the journey of a small island whose people carried their culture across the world and never let it fade.

💬 Quote of the Week

“Wherever you go and whatever you do, may the luck of the Irish be there with you.”

✅ Quiz Answers

B) No

B) Blue(yes, it was originally blue, can you believe!?)

B) The Holy Trinity

B) Chicago

If you’re celebrating this week, wherever you are in the world, enjoy it.

And if you’re far from home, just remember, you’re not alone in that either.

There are millions of us scattered across the world, still connected by the same stories, the same humour, and the same roots.

Good to be back.

Stephen Palmer

Irish Around the World