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 New St. Patrick's Day Custom for Children
by Kathleen M. Keane
As with Christmas and Easter, I wanted St. Patrick's Day to have magical memories for my children. Over the years, I developed a new 'custom' —they would wake up with Leprechaun hats on their beds, along with a shamrock pin and other St. Patrick's Day goodies - stickers, tatoos, necklaces, and so on.
Then, they would find a trail of chocolate coins leading out to the
driveway where they would discover the driveway strewn with real coins; they got to keep what they picked up.
Naturally, we enjoyed Lucky Charms for breakfast and Corned Beef and Cabbage for dinner, but the 'new custom' has made St. Patrick's Day one of their favorite holidays. Of course, as they grew older, they asked questions as to how these things occurred... just as they asked about Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. It took a wee bit of blarney for me to give them an explanation. Eventually, I penned the explanation to prose. One day, perhaps, I'll get this published as a children's book. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy it... and have a safe holiday!
THE LEPRECHAUN
The leprechaun is a cobbler but he more than a cobbler be
as he guards the gold and treasures of the many fairies wee.
More precious than the treasures is what he hides so well...
it's privacy he pleasures and hopes his shoes will sell.
To keep his magic strong and this, you never knew...
he seeks to kiss a wee colleen fair maiden, one so true.
With his ungainly image one thinks he is a shrew
and no decent fair maiden would kiss one if she knew.
And so he has to steal it and in the night he creeps
the eve of auld St. Patrick's Day one magic night he seeks.
Asleep lies the fair maiden a fairy sprinkles dust...
to keep her from awakening and kiss her, yes he must!
For in the maiden's purity there lies a heart so true
for a leprechaun to steal a kiss makes all his dreams come true.
The purity of her fair heart is truly made of gold
and all the kingdoms of the world knows this is hard to hold.
And if the Leprechaun succeeds to kiss this maiden true
his magic and his wealth increase still, he'll not share with you!
Now should he ever get him caught while kissing one so pure
his wealth and magic will dissolve and that he knows is sure!
Stealthily the cobbler creeps to steal this kiss so rare
holds his breath and kiss the cheek of this young maiden fair
This success has left a mark...has filled his heart with glee
has made him do a little jig which has awakened thee.
So in his fearful haste to flee he ran out oh so fast...
his little hat blew off his head...that hat will hold your catch!
A clover did fall from his shoe and turned into a pin
Wear this now on your lapel for good luck to come in.
Some of his gold fell from his pot and in this mortal world...
turned into chocolate on the spot for little boys and girls.
And when his cobblers feet did tread upon the land outside
the gold he'd spilt upon the ground he can't pick up or hide.
And as he watched in disbelief as gold did turn to cents
he disappeared with great relief another year past hence.
So watch now, on St. Patrick's Day the eve of which may find
a leprechaun in cobbler-wear who'll leave a trail behind.
And as you gather up the treats on this Saint Patrick's Day
give thanks for all the blessings that have now come your way.
KMK©2002
A Hidden Message Word Search
contributed by Hartson Dowd
The words in capital letters below have been hidden in the search grid. When you’ve found them all, read the letters that are left to spell out a quotation from Saint Patrick’s most famous prayer.
Search Grid:
Patrick is the patron SAINT of IRELAND
He was kidnapped from Britain as a boy, and forced to herd SHEEP on SLEMISH Mountain, in County Antrim. After a few years, he managed a daring ESCAPE, and traveled to Europe. There, he studied to become a BISHOP, but he never forgot the IRISH people.
Finally, he returned to Ireland, where he created his first church and MONASTERY. With his CROZIER, he traveled the country, converting people to Christianity with the help of the SHAMROCK. With his BELL, Patrick is said to have led all the SNAKES in Ireland to the cliffs, where they fell to the sea and never returned.
Thanks to Patrick’s inspiration, and with the help of his friends and fellow saints, CELTIC Christianity flourished, especially at its greatest church, ARMAGH. The only writings that Patrick left for us are his famous CONFESSION, that he wrote in LATIN, and the famous prayer known as Saint Patrick’s BREASTPLATE. He died on MARCH seventeenth, the day we now celebrate as his feast day, and was laid to rest in County DOWN, Ireland.
A Craft To Catch a Leprechaun
George is the editor of the Irish Heritage newsletter and he tells us that his daughter created this craft for her kindergartners a few years back. This project is rated VERY EASY to do.
Materials:
Shoe box (do not need lid)
Aluminum foil
Glue
Tape, optional
Green felt, craft foam, or paper
Shamrock stickers, optional
Scissors
Stick about twice the depth of the box.
How To Make It:
Cover a shoe box with aluminum foil using glue or tape to hold it in place.
Cut shamrocks out of felt, foam, paper, or use stickers to decorate.
Glue the shamrocks, if not using stickers, to the box.
The night before St. Patrick's Day, put a stick under the box and leave it out by your front door. If a leprechaun stops by, he'll leave a surprise for you!
NOTE: George's daughter suggests leaving green candy or shiny new pennies. You might also consider a few of those foil covered chocolate coins. By the way, the Irish Heritage Newsletter is very interesting, entertaining and informative. If you'd like to subscribe, simply send an email to George at Steeler059@aol.com. Tell him Bridget says hello!
Click here for the Story of St. Patrick for kids.
Click here for the Kids story Fooling St Patrick.
Click here for the story of St Patrick for adults.
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 Dogs of Ireland - the Kerry Blue Terrier
Kerry Blue Terriers were developed over 300 years ago by Irish shepherds. Their name comes from the county of Kerry in south-western Ireland.
Gentle, lovable and intelligent they are very hard working. They can herd sheep and cattle, hunt for rats and other vermin and they are good retrievers.
When they are born, they are black. As they get older, their curly coats change to red, brown or gray and then finally to bluish-grey.
Outgoing and friendly towards their family, they are known to give big, slurpy kisses. But they are also very protective and make good guard dogs as well as excellent family pets.
Resource: Puppy Dog Web.
Click for More Culture Corner.
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"No man ever wore a cravat as nice, as his own child's arm around his neck."
- Irish Proverb
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Fergus and his family immigrate to the U.S. during the potato famine. On his last night home, the boy cuts a branch from his favorite blackthorn tree in order to "take a piece of Ireland with him on his journey across the ocean." During the voyage, he whittles this branch into a shillelagh, and on each St. Patrick's Day, he recounts his family's journey from their homeland to America.
School Library Journal Review
Click for Shillelagh
The story of St. Patrick is told, with legend and fact delineated. The significance of the color green is explained, as is that of shamrocks, four-leaf clovers, and pots of gold. Parades, festivals, athletic events, and special foods are all discussed. The text is clear and engaging, and the attractive color photos, reproductions, and drawings add interest and detail.
School Library Journal Review
Click for Parades
Young readers can lift the flaps for interactive fun as they see the children in this book make holiday crafts, taste traditional Irish food, perform a play about Saint Patrick, and even march in a Saint Patrick's Day parade. They can also search for the hidden leprechaun on each spread. A great way for young readers to learn about and enjoy the holiday.
Click for Hooray
A children's book with much wider appeal. Accented with charming, simple, cartoon-style illustrations, the book tells the story of St. Patrick, including legends and folklore about the saint along with his actual history. Although definitely geared towards children, And God Blessed the Irish can teach even adults.
Click And God Blessed...
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