St Patrick is an Irish saint from around 464.

The most famous legend is about St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is that he miraculously drove snakes and all venomous beast from the island by banging a drum and he did this so well that to touch Irish soil is supposed to be instant death for any such creature. Even Irish wood has a virtue against poison, it is said, “so that it is reported of kings college Cambridge, that being built of Irish wood, no spider doth ever come near it.”

St Patrick was sent back to Ireland by pope Celestine to preach the gospel to the “heathens”. He found that the pagan Irish had great difficulty comprehending the doctrine of the trinity, until he gave them a concrete example by holding up a shamrock to show the three leaves combining to make up a single plant. The Irish understood at once, and the shamrock became the symbol of the land. Irishmen wear it in their hats on the saint’s day.

When he was dying on this day (March 17) in 464, he urged his friends not to lament, but rather to celebrate his comfortable exit. To this end his last request was that each of them take a small drop of something to drink to ease their pain. Out of reverence for the saint, and in compliance with his last words is supposed to have come the Irish predilection for whiskey.

The cricket is looked upon as a most lucky inmate of a house, and woe to the person who may happen to kill one; for all the other crickets will meet in general assembly and eat up the offender’s clothes, as a just retribution for the loss of a friend or relative.

Never disturb the swallows, wherever they may build, and neither remove or destroy their nests; for they are wise birds, and will mark your conduct either for punishment of favor.

If, by accident you find the back tooth of a horse, carry it about with you as long as you live, and you will never want money; but it must be found by chance.

A Purse made from a weasel’s skin will never want fro money; but the purse must be found not given or made.

A coal of fire thrown after the fisherman brings him good fortune.

If the palm of the hand itches you will be getting money. If the elbow you will be changing beds.

To see three magpies on the left-hand side when on a journey is unlucky, but two on the right hand is a good omen.

If you hear the cuckoo on your right hand you will have luck all the year after.

It is very lucky for a hen and her chickens to stray into your home. Also, it is good to meet a white lamb in the early morning with the sunlight on its face.

To throw a slipper after a party going journey is lucky. Also, to breakfast by candlelight on Saint Patrick’s Day morning.

If a cow suddenly falls sick without any apparent cause it is believed that she has swallowed an insect of the beetle kind, called Derib, which lives in ditches and stagnant pools. The remedy is to strike the animal three times across the loins with a garment belonging to anyone named Cassidy.

To meet a man with red hair or a woman with a red petticoat on St Patrick’s Day is considered very unlucky. Unless you are wearing red socks or undies.

Sarah Kulkens © 2021