Because of our history, we Irish are a diaspora nation.
That is why for the day that’s in it, the entire planet celebrates this unique little island and its remarkable people.
It is above all a day for Irish exiles and those who, in any way that fits for them, consider this place to be part of them.
So, dear reader, if this day means anything special to you, Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!
At the weekend in my native city, there was a Saint Patrick’s Day parade.
It took a lot of planning, as this piece in the Irish Voice back in January will attest.
To all involved, comhghairdeas!
Given Glasgow’s huge multi-generational Irish community, that should be worth noting; it is only the SECOND such official event.
Last year, a quarter of the way into the 21st century was the FIRST ever.
Dear reader, think of that for a moment.
For the entirety of the 20th century, there wasn’t a single Saint Patrick’s Day parade in a city with a huge Irish community.
Now that is seriously abnormal.
When I put that FACT to an SNP Braveheart yesterday, I didn’t get a reply.
It seems that the very idea of anti-Irish racism is difficult for many in Fair Caledonia to grasp.
Why?
Because it means accepting the very existence of the community I grew up in.
My late mother had four Irish-born grandparents.
Edwardian era Gastarbeiters.
She had the good sense to marry a fine man from Mayo.
From primary school days, I let the Brit functionaries at my school know that they were dealing with an Irish kid!
If I were with my kin, say, in Philadelphia, it would not have been a point of contention.
I’m not aware of any other part of the Irish diaspora where there was structural discrimination AND deny that we were in situ.
I’ve been thinking about writing about that conundrum since my undergraduate days more than 40 years ago.
Although the existence of the Irish community in Scotland has now generated a substantial area of academic inquiry, the cultural landscape remains barren.
Scotland’s Irish rarely see themselves portrayed on the page, on the stage, or, crucially, on the screen.
A decade ago, I wrote two stage plays for the Sweet For Addicts theatre group, and they were staged as part of Glasgow’s Saint Patrick’s festival.
Both pieces had strong Glasgow Irish themes, Hame and Rebellion.
You can read reviews from renowned theatre critic Joyc McMillan here and here.
One actor, in particular, when he saw his character’s backstory, said: “This is my father’s life story!”
Every night was sold out as the community came to see themselves on stage.
Not a penny of Arts Council funding was required.
A community that official Scotland doesn’t want to exist has long since realised that we do things for ourselves.
The memorial to An Gorta Mór at St Mary’s in the Calton is a case in point.
We shouldn’t forget how the Brits in the City Chambers bent themselves out of shape to prevent a famine memorial that was exclusively Irish.
Faced with this ahistorical nonsense, the community in Glasgow charged ahead and built its own.
In Fair Caledonia, the days at the back of the bus are over.
The days of keeping your head down and saying nothing are a thing of the past.
This, from a new kid on the blogging block, is very good.
Until I read it, I didn’t know John had Mayo roots.
Béal an Mhuirthead is one of my favourite spots in my father’s county.
It does, however, open up the worrying possibility that young Yogi and I are related!
So Glasgow’s Irish publicly celebrated their heritage at the weekend, and the sky didn’t fall in.
Why did it take so long?
That’s a question for official Scotland to answer.
Being a centre of excellence for anti-Irish racism isn’t a good look.
Wherever you are, enjoy the day!
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The memorial to those who died in the fire in Kirkintilloch is placed high on the wall to deter vandalism, some things never change.
Yesterday was my son’s 23rd birthday.
We went for a pint to a pub in Greenock that around 25 years ago was a hunshop.
As we entered the barmaid was decorating the place with tricolours, shamrocks etc whilst a stocky dude set up a screen with the lyrics to The Rebs.
We’re winning. And will continue to.
🇮🇪🍀
Greetings
I am ashamed when I read or hear of prejudice that Irish people (or actually any nationality) have received in my native land. Great to see the parade happening, hopefully it is a sign of improvement in this regard.
I am hugely fond of Ireland and the Irish, particularly the music (absolutely love Lizzy, Rory, The Dubliners and now CMAT – saw her recently: she is fab). I personally feel a strong kinship (and I’m a Presbyterian). I wonder how many of the bigots know (or care) that the Scots actually came from Ireland.
Anyway, I am late in writing (am halfway around the world) but I hope you all had a good St Patrick’s Day. And…I write this with gritted teeth…congratulations on the Triple Crown.
Best wishes to all
Left the “Best wee country in the world” 1983,
Asked “What school you go to son” at interviews, Motherwell 1971.
Joined the Merchant Navy June 1977 seeing the world for 38 years, retiting in a foreign field in Asia 2015.
Do I miss Scotland?? Not in the slightest.
I think if memory serves me you were brought up in Baillieston .Yogi Hughes Aunt Lizzy Hughes was from Baillieston so you might be related.
Another possibility.
However, in Mayo, most people are related!
My great grand parents were from county Mayo William Fisher and Helen Hannigan from Achil Hill they moved to Glasgow and settled in Baillieston my Grandfather was Patrick Fisher.
An independent Scotland 🏴 & United Ireland 🇮🇪 is on the way… Only the ‘delusional minority will try to contest that undeniable destination & the majority of those believe that a football club no longer with us is still in business. This union is over 📉🇬🇧 & even the ‘CON’-Servatives in the “Glorious Sunlit Uplands ” know the writing is on Hadrians Wall. Tiocfiadh ar la & Thig ar Latha are phrases which are gaining in support & little Westminster will have to cope.
When I worked for East Dunbartonshire Council they erected a memorial to the Irish victims of a bothy fire. They had come over to Scotland from Ireland to labour but were locked up at night in the bight. A fire broke out and they all died. I think there were a dozen at least maybe more.
A terrible tragedy, 16th September 1937.
Youngsters from Achill Island, County Mayo.
The bothy they were sleeping in was locked from the outside.
Hi Phil,
I’ll just say this and I don’t care if I take flack for it. I have taken criticism from people who have Irish ancestry and don’t care for my support for Scotland’s Independence and for a wee bit of clarity I was born in Scotland with Irish grandparents (my dad’s parents) from Edgeworthtown Co. Longford and Newcastle West Co. Limerick…my mum nee O’Sullivan. Both were Labour voters and my dad resigned from that party when it morphed into New Labour under that charlatan and criminal, Blair. He began voting SNP and mum would also but passed away before she had an opportunity. I became a member of the SNP in 1979. I believe in the right of all nations to take their independence. By the way, I too have family history on both sides involving the Irish war of independence.
Unfortunately and sadly, in my opinion, many citizens of Scotland including some who are proud of their Irish heritage who don’t have the courage to place an X for that which so many throughout history have fought and died for.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day.
Well said, Joe.
I don’t understand Celtic fans of Irish descent wanting to be part of this unequal union.
They belt out songs in support for Irish independence yet don’t want the same for the country they live in.
They just can’t see the irony.
Independence for Ireland. Independence for Scotland. They are inextricable.
And, by the way, we are subjects of the crown, not citizens as things stand.