May the luck of the Irish, and Nigerians, go with you today…
17 Mar 2018
Dear LPG,
Did you know that St. Patrick was not actually Irish? He lived in the 5th Century AD, and spent some of his childhood in Britain, but was captured and taken to the emerald isle by pirates at about the age of 16. He did escape and get back to his home though.
Later in life he became a priest and returned to Ireland to do his ministry there. He became a bishop, but there is not a lot more to tell.
Legend has it that he was responsible for teaching about the shamrock, that he used to spread the gospel, and he is attributed with affecting the absence of snakes throughout the island. It is believed that a cane that he used when he walked, and which he would push into the ground, was left there so long that on one occasion it took root. He is also credited with showing the Irish how to build bridges, which won him the honour of becoming the patron saint of engineers, and Nigeria also adopted him as their patron saint in 1961.
Trafalgar square is the place to go to see how London celebrates with a parade this weekend and traditionally the meals of choice will include the Irish classics such as bacon and cabbage, soda bread and Irish stew.
In his honour, today is an Irish national holiday and LPG recommends that all Lewisham Pensioners, be they Irish, Nigerian, ex engineers or not, set the example if medication and taste buds allow, by raising a glass of something as an acknowledgement to the days significance; Guinness perhaps?
PC, Brockley
If you are a pub-goer LPG has managed to find one of many celebrations that are taking place in a Lewisham local, and we have also discovered some other information on our topic focus of such an important day…
