A Toast for St. Patrick's Day

Born on St. Patrick’s Day, I grew up in an Irish-Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Mom always dressed us in green on March 17, and the unmistakable scent of corned beef and cabbage filled our Flatbush home and that of our neighbors on Avenue M.

My parents gave me the middle name Patrick after the patron saint. Being half-Irish with two Irish grandfathers, I always felt my birthday was just a little bit extra special because of the holiday. With family and friends living close by, we celebrated every year with an Irish-inspired dinner.

It wasn’t until my mid-twenties when my young wife Tara and I travelled from our South Jersey home to attend parades in New York City. My sister in-law Barbara would always host a family party in her Manhattan apartment following the parade. And even after Liam, Aiden, Keeley and Kieran were born, we made the trip rain or shine, cheered for the marchers and toasted St. Patty with family and friends.

As the kids got older and had school and sports conflicts, we stopped going to the parade in New York City, and stayed closer to home by visiting a local pub for a pint or two… returning to watch March Madness while dining on corned beef and wee bit of Guinness with Irish music playing.

In 2016, our family travelled to Ireland and celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Dublin. We visited various museums and historic sites, as well as the beautiful countryside. The Irish people we met could not have been more friendly. And we left with dozens of stories and an even greater appreciation for our Irish heritage.

My sister in-law Kate recently gave us DNA kits and we excitedly sent in our samples. A few weeks later I learned that Tara, her family and our children are ALL more Irish than I. My results showed I am more Scottish than Irish, though the numbers for both countries are close. Since the test relies on data that goes back some 400 years, it’s very possible that part of my family originated in Scotland and migrated to Ireland before coming to America.

As we approach another St. Patrick’s Day, I don’t feel less Irish because of my DNA results. I have loved the Irish people my entire life from the poets and storytellers to Irish cops, firemen and bartenders. The Irish are colorful and charismatic, and some of the best people I know.

Today, I raise my glass to my parents who raised me to be proud of my Irish heritage. And though my parents are no longer with us, I see them this day and every day in the eyes of my children.

Cheers to you this St. Patrick’s Day wherever you are from!