March 17th

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I confess I am not Irish, though my cousins and husband are. In my heart, I love all things Irish and Celtic. My people, the Greeks, were close to the ancient Celts, a diverse group of humanity united by similarities of religion, language, and custom, and little else. Early on, they borrowed the Greek alphabet for their writing. Nora Chadwick and Jean Markale are noted authorities for those who want to read more. Stories of Boadicea and St. Patrick himself are covered in novels by Pauline Gedge and ark Godwin. Irish dolls are usually vinyl or hard plastic and dressed in traditional dress, like the Connemara Woman. Some are built on wire armatures with clay heads realistically painted. There are cloth dolls with real Arran sweaters in miniatures, as well. Some are leprechauns, of course, and I have one of the clay heads discussed above and several charm dolls of silver. I have Irish dancers made of bisque, in Ireland, and dressed in traditional outfits. One angel laying a harp is dressed like Boadicea, who was strictly Iceni, not Irish, but the little brooch, cloak, and long read hair are just like her. I also have figurines of Irish Dresden, one of Scarlet O’Hara, and Irish Belleek china and figurines. There are many leprechauns made as dolls and stuffed animal made by novelty companies to be sold today, as well as miniatures mugs of Green to symbolize the famous green beer! There are also Santa dressed as leprechauns with rainbows and pots of gold at their feet.