Happy St. Patrick's (and St. Gertrude's) Day!

in All Saints
Slightly belated, but happy St. Patrick's Day--and also happy St. Gertrude's Day (patron saint of cats!)!
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I admit to being a bit hurt yesterday by someone on social media saying “forget about St Patrick, here’s St Gertrude”, but that’s obviously something that people can relate to better so I don’t blame them – but it is a big thing on the other side of the Irish Sea and it’d be nice to be able to share the joy of the day with someone.
Catholicism was outlawed in Ireland at one point so being able to celebrate a saint’s day has an extra significance. I wonder how many people realize that.
Years ago my brother (RIPARIG), who was well-travelled, had been to Ireland and said nowhere had he met its equal, either in the beauty of its landscape or the friendliness of its people. When, in recent years, Mr Nen and I visited I felt the same - the people were just wonderful and who knew there were that many shades of green? Since then I've discovered that my paternal grandfather was Irish - something never mentioned by my father who for some reason known best to himself (though I have my theory, which is mine) always played up his Scottish heritage and spoke of merely "a touch of Irish." Since then I've been embracing my Irish roots and am looking forward to visiting again.
I did once have recourse to St Porcelain following a spot of overindulgence on St Patrick's Day, but it was a very long time ago, when I was younger and foolisher than I am now!