First a little mood music! If you don't have Spotify, then look it up on Youtube!
Ronan Hardiman – Dance Above The Rainbow
It's funny though, because I get the impression that St. Paddy's day is celebrated more in other countries that have a large proportion of Irish immigrants such as America or Australia, than it actually is here in Ireland. Perhaps it's because I live in Northern Ireland, and although things are much better now than they were back in the 70's, there can still be a bit of trouble here and there, so they don't make too big a deal out of it... I'm not sure! But nevertheless here's my post, in green for the occasion!
My fondest St. Paddy's day memory isn't very grand or extravagant. But it's a memory that I hold dearly. First off, the best thing about the 17th of March is that we got off school! On that day in 2010 my then-boyfriend and I packed up my car with a picnic basket and a blanket, and headed to Tollymore Forest Park (a filming locations of the HBO's Game of Thrones!). I didn't take the photo below, but that's one of the bridges in the park. If it's one thing the Emerald Isle knows how to do, it's forests!
We arrived just before lunch time, and sat down at a picnic table and spread out our feast of sandwiches, crisps, and of course, tea from a flask!
Later, we went for a walk, hand in hand, as those who are in the throes of a relationship tend to do. I've never been one for exercise, so there were several points along our walk, mostly on the hills, that he actually had to push me along.
There is a second reason that I remember this day so vividly. While out on our walk, we met my oldest and closest friend having exactly the same kind of day with her boyfriend (now fiancée). The strange thing is that neither of us had previous knowledge of how we were planning on spending our St. Paddy's day! It also makes me grin, because when we happened upon them, my boyfriend and I were stumbling out of some bushes. Now, before your minds run away with you, here is my completely innocent explanation: we had been down by the river having a stick race, and the only way to get there and back was through a very overgrown path. Honest! Many suggestive comments were made by both parties as a result.
Although I’m no longer with my then-boyfriend, it’s one of my fondest memories of our 18-months together, and I have yet to have a better St. Paddy’s day!
Word count: 333. Exactly!
Hope you enjoyed! Why not have a jolly hop around some of the other entries after reading mine!
Sarah x
