Friday 18 March 2011

FSO - Saint Patrick’s Day

May your feet never sweat,
your neighbor give you ne're a treat.
When flowers bloom, I hope you'll not sneeze,
and may you always have someone to squeeze!

greeting

The above isn’t my work.  It is the logo for a St Paddy’s Day celebration elsewhere.

Whangarei has one irish pub.  It’s to here that the crowds flock on St Patrick’s Day.  I didn’t.  I planned to pop into the pub after I finished work on Thursday but my head was full of other things and I forgot.

I believe over twenty percent of the population of New Zealand claim Irish blood and I’m one of them but the only celebration I know of in my area is an Irish Night being held in the Maungakaramea Hall on Saturday night – a bit late for today’s post.

There’s no procession in Whangarei, as in Auckland where they held their parade last Saturday and no community carnival like there was in Auckland on Sunday.  I saw an ad for the carnival but there was no venue – is that Irish or what?

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I’m going very Irish with this shot.  I hoped it was St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Napier but, after checking with the Napier guru, I now know it’s not.  I have visited St Patrick’s, it was modern and very beautiful with a high circular knave.   But I didn’t take any photos as there was a lady sitting in quiet contemplation and I didn’t want to disturb her.  I did fire off one shot when I had a peep inside the confessional but this was all I saw.  Blame that one on my Irish genes!

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So that’s it for this week.  Pathetic effort, I know.

To see St Patrick’s Day shots from all over, just pop over here.

May you always walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.

20 comments:

  1. That confessional looks like it would squeeze the truth out of you pretty fast! No getting comfortable there.
    Aside from my given name-Kerry- I don't think I have any Irish in me, but a lot of people here can claim it. I don't mind celebrating with them:)

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  2. Hello Pauline,

    What you missed out on a glass of stout!!!
    Have a great weekend.
    Happy days.
    Bev.xoxo

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  3. How did you get to the coffesional. My birth town, Sibu was partly educated by Irish brothers. I did not do a St Patrick's day.

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  4. I CONFESS I had no idea until just recently that St Patrick's was celebrated outside Ireland at all!
    DawnTreader's Picture Book: Friday My Town

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  5. '..and may you always have someone to squeeze.'

    I liked that

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  6. Happy St Patricks day belated.

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  7. if there is no photo - there is no photo - yours tell us exactly about St. Pat's day in Aukland.

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  8. Love that saying. We sure need someone to squeeze and to squeeze us. I think you did a great job.
    Keep smiling.
    QMM

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  9. beautiful church. i had trouble finding things because i don't go to pubs or parades or any thing like that, i was forced to hunt for the green. i think you did great

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  10. Oh what a stunning church! I love this one hon..I have never seen a confessional. I think you did beautifully hon!! Hugs, Sarah

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  11. Thanks for all the Irish's blessing right back at you. The church is Beautiful.

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  12. I really like the stained glass in the church!

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  13. I like the church picture!

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  14. Hello from Wellington - it looks like the inside of St John's Anglican(as in The Anglican Church of NZ - way more liberal that C of E) in Napier. I've only been there once back in 1981, but I recognise the colours, and the organ player's spot up on the left.

    Am adding your blog to my bookmarks, very happily,

    Mickle down in Wellington and my snozzling Zebby Cat

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  15. There's no St Patrick Day celebrations here too. :(

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  16. love the Irish saying. the confessional does not look very comfy. they don't want you to stay too long!

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  17. 'Napier Guru' I'm flattered!

    It's a shame we couldn't get photos in St Pat's - next time!

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  18. Funny Irish blessing...May your feet never sweat! :)

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  19. I would guess that the reference to feet not sweating is a reference to the fact that the Irish (particularly after the potato famine) have so often had to leave their home and, often, their homeland, to find work. For so many that would mean a long walk and very sweaty feet. I wonder if anyone has any other suggestion.

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