Beannachtai na Feile Padraig, agat!
Gaelic for: Blessings of the Feast of St. Patrick to you!
St. Paddy’s Day Special: www.CelticRainbowGifts.com for web purchases of $50. or more (not including S&H) between now and March 23rd 2005, you’ll receive a free pair of sterling silver shamrock earrings in a beautiful gift box as show on the shopping page for earrings. A $12.99 value.
Tours: I’m just back from a familiarization tour of Ireland in which I checked out some of the hotels, castles and entertainment that we offer on our travel tours. We offer 38 tours of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on scheduled tours and design custom tours for family reunions, organizations or business groups. With the raising price of the Euro, this is definitely the way to go. I will be doing a featured email on these tours in a couple of weeks. For a free brochure send $2. to cover shipping: Celtic Rainbow Gifts-PO Box 447-Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
The Legend of the Shamrock
We all know the story of St. Patrick using the shamrock as symbol of the Trinity in his effort to convert the Irish to Christianity. St. Patrick confronted the King of Tara on a sacred pagan holiday. When Patrick tried to explain the Trinity to the King, the Druids burst out laughing at a God with 3 heads. Looking down Patrick saw a shamrock and used it as an illustration of a single plant with 3 parts. : Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - All in One Almighty God.
But we know the shamrock was already considered a sacred plant to the Druids long before St. Patrick arrived in Ireland. Perhaps that is why, according to the shamrock legend, he chose this common little clover to illustrate the Trinity concept to them.
The shamrock legend also includes the story that St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland forever. The legend goes on to say that St. Patrick filled the Emerald Isle with lush shamrock fields to keep the snakes from ever returning. This legend is validated to some by the fact that snakes are never seen in fields of shamrocks anywhere in the world, and that shamrocks can indeed be used as a remedy for snake venom.
Most people these days realize that the shamrock legend is probably just a metaphor for the fact that he did indeed drive out the pagan beliefs and rituals, which are commonly associated with snakes.

During the days of Queen Victoria, the shamrock became a symbol of rebellion against the oppression of the Crown. Displaying the shamrock proudly on one's clothing became known as the "Wearing of the Green".
The shamrock is without a doubt the most universally recognized symbol of Ireland. It is used in the official logos of many major Irish organizations, like Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Tourist Board and official airline of Ireland, Aer Lingus. However the shamrock is not the official emblem of Ireland, that honor is reserved for the Celtic harp.
On March 17th all over the world, parades, step dancing and sing songs at the pubs are held in honor of St. Patrick. Here in Ellsworth, Maine there’s a St. Pat’s concert at The Grand on Main St. to benefit the Downeast Aid Network, hope to see ya there.
Slainte & Fad saol agat! (Health & Long life to you)
Linda






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