Column on Irish History

About five years ago at Pat Troy's Irish pub in Alexandria, VA, a theft occurred. Two drunk fellows decided to steal a large, heavy ceramic Irish elf right from the front of the pub. In the process of writing a column about this story, I had an opportunity to touch on Irish culture and how the influx of the Irish into America -- one out of four of us can trace our origins back to the rolling green hills of Ireland -- has affected American culture.

History of the Leprechaun

Also, did you know that the leprechaun concept that evolved in America -- meant to be a derogatory portrayal of the "grubby, dirty Irishman" -- was used as a means for newspaper cartoonists to mock the Irish in the early years? More details on the leprechaun at Wikipedia.

Some Irish Wit

In any event, this is one of "me" favorite times of the year, I being half Irish and all. My dear sweet Uncle Mike, rest his soul, used to visit my father on the back porch and swap Irish jokes, such as this one:

Paddy's wife was so happy he hadn't visited the pub in a month, she offered to make him his favorite meal, escargot.

"Run down to the market, paddy, and buy some snail and I'll grill them up in butter just the way you like them," says the missus.

Paddy heads to the store and on his way he passes the pub.

"Paddy," his pals shouted, "where you been? Get in here and have a pint."

"Sorry, lads, can't do it. I need to get back to the missus with me snail."

So Paddy continues to the market, buys his snail and heads back home. As he passes the pub again, his friends call out, "Paddy, one pint isn't going to kill you."

Paddy gives in. He stops in for a pint and one becomes two and two becomes three and... several hours later, a wee bit inebriated, Paddy stumbles home.

As he gets to the gate in front of his house, he trips and falls. The bag of snail he was carrying burst open and the snail went flying all over the yard. The noise woke Paddy's wife. She opens the bedroom women and shouts down at him:

"Paddy, where have you been? How could it possibly take you so many hours to buy some snail and get back home from the market?"

Paddy looked up to his wife, then down to the snail spread about the yard. He looked up to his wife, then back to the snail.

Suddenly he shouts at the snail: "Hurry up, boys, we're just about there!"


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