St. Patrick’s Day is my favorite holiday. I know that may seem weird to you. I’m not here to change your mind; I’m here to speak my truth. And the truth is that I love St. Paddy’s Day. And no, it has nothing to do with drinking (although I do enjoy Irish beer). It has everything to do with my late grandmother.
It’s important to preface that I come from a very large, Irish-American family. My great-great grandfather immigrated to the US from Cork, Ireland when he was 18 years old in search of a better life. My family and I are very proud to be of Irish descent. No one was prouder than my grandmother. She loved being Irish and instilled that same pride in me from a young age. Every St. Patrick’s Day she would don a green Irish sweater, every kind of novelty shamrock/leprechaun pin, and usually an Irish-themed trucker hat. We would celebrate by having corned beef and cabbage and soda bread. She enjoyed the holiday so much. I looked forward to spending it with her every year – her joy and fun, the mischievous glint in her eye, the sound of the ice in her Bailey’s clinking the side of the glass, her laughter always hearty, full, and genuine. I loved sharing St. Patrick’s Day with her.
After she passed in 2015, I started my own little St. Paddy’s Day tradition. I perfected my corned beef and cabbage, cooked in a crock pot with diced potatoes. I adapted my aunt’s soda bread recipe (no raisins for me), and I made a special St. Paddy’s Day playlist that I listen to all day long, filled with Irish songs that my grandma loved and some new ones I discovered on my own. I wear green (and shamrock antenna) and set shamrock placemats and decorate my house. It’s my favorite day of the year. One day, I hope my son will love it too.
So in honor of my favorite day of the year, here are some Irish reads to help you celebrate!
Fiction/Romance
- We Are the Brennans – If you love family sagas and enjoy a little drama.
- One Night on the Island – If you love Hallmark movies.
- Watermelon – If you love Gilmore Girls and Derry Girls.
Speaking of Derry Girls!
Non-Fiction/Verse/Folk Tales
- The Princes of Ireland – This was a recommended read from my tour guide in Ireland!
- Irish Verse: An Anthology – Short, lovely Irish verses.
- Irish Fairy and Folk Tales – Can’t talk about Ireland without talking about all its lore!
On this wonderful holiday, I will leave you with my favorite Irish blessing:
May those who love us, love us,
-Irish Blessing
And for those who don’t love us, may God turn their hearts,
And if he can’t turn their hearts,
may he turn their ankles, so we will know them by their limping.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Keri Reads 
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