Saint Patrick is a patron of Ireland. March 17th, the liturgical Feast of St. Patrick, occurs during the Lenten fast. Think about it.
And think about the potato (Solanum tuberosum; Gaelic “práta,” anglicized to “pratie“). Successful introduction of this New World crop bolstered the Irish countryside; the crop failures of the Potato Famine sent Irishmen to America; the Irish-American secular observance of St. Patrick’s Day was exported back to Ireland. Faith and Begorrah! And you thought “Globalization’ was new.
Read Gregory McNamee’s excellent post on the Britannica blog, and stop by the Potato Museum on your way back from the pub.
Related:
“Could the Potato Famine Strike Again?” Tim Wall, Discovery News
Sure an’ all, wee Mr. Potato Head® is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc., used here under the “satire” provision of the Fair Use doctrine, dontcha know. Mr. Head is a Yank “Baby Boomer,” but clean the paidrín up and he makes a proper little leprechaun.
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Tags: food, holidays, potatoes, Saint Patrick's Day, St. Patrick, vegtables
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