Happy Saint Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is definitely not as big as it is in America. Yes they talk about it on the news, but you don't really see a lot of people wearing green except for the younger kids. They do however get the day off from school. Paddy's day in Northern Ireland is also different as well. It's supposed to be a non-sectarian day, meaning both Protestants and Catholics should be celebrating his day, but sometimes it's not always the case.  Here's a piece of information I didn't realize: You aren't really supposed to fly the tri-colored flag (Ireland's flag) because the Republic of Ireland came way after St. Patrick did. He has his own flag, which looks like St. Andrew's flag of Scotland but white with red X. The parades around Northern Ireland were more about the celebration of myths and legends, much like the Derry one we went to.

We started our day going to Mass with my mother-in-law and her parents. I wish I could have heard mass, but O wanted to walk around outside. The church is very small and there is no reception or waiting area. It was a nice day again, so that helped. They had a small band that played afterwards.  R and I then took O to Londonderry or Derry. They say you'll know if a person is a Protestant or Catholic on how they say the town. It was in Derry where William of Orange took hold of the Northern Irish population in the 1600's then change to Londonderry after English control. I won't go into the history, that's for another day. But Derry is in the mountains towards the very middle of N.I. You have to go through the Glenshane pass to get to it. I wish I could describe how beautiful the mountains are. My camera would just not do them justice. Maybe next time I'll try and take some pictures. The tops of the mountains had snow and below were fields of heather and green.

Derry did a festival, but we were late so we just walked around the city for a little bit, listened to the band and drove home. It was a lovely day, wishing we could have gone to the pub, but I am already in the "settled in" mode for the night. Maybe next year. Hope everyone had a safe holiday or has a safe day.

Below are pictures from the day, they highlight everything a little better. 



O walking around the church yard during mass. We went with granny and the two greats to St. Patrick's mass in Desertmartin. I unfortunately missed all of it because she wanted to run around and there was also no room to sit down in the back. It was very crowded today.




The view looking outside the church door. It was another clear sunny day.




The Desertmartin church




This is the Irish band that played before and after mass. They were very good. No bagpipes in this band.



Granny and O wearing their green

This is banner that lead the small parade through Desertmartin. It is the A.O.H or Ancient Order of Hibernians. It's an Irish Catholic fraternal organization.

The other side of the banner

Dancing to the beat of the drums

This is a picture of part of the walled city of Derry. On the maps it's called Londonderry, but it was originally Derry before the English took over. Derry is where Bloody Sunday took place.



Some dressed up as a Leprechauns. There were alot of tourist in Derry for the carnival.



The tail end of the parade. We were running late and missed it. This was a dragon whose head touched the crowd. The theme for this parade was Myths and Legends from all over the world

As you can see it was very crowded, but very peaceful. Mostly tourist and families out for a fun day since all the schools close over here for a long weekend.

People watchin in her stroller

They had a band playing after the parade. Could not tell you their name, but it was mostly traditional, or trad music. They had a few bag pipers and 3 Irish dancers as well.

Us enjoying the music

Another section of the walled city or Old Derry

Sleepy after a long ride and long day

The view looking out into the east of Northern Ireland. You could just see for miles and miles. To get to Derry you have to go through the mountains or on the Glenshane pass. I could not tell you how many miles above sea level, but it feels like you are very very high up.

oíche mhaith