Tuesday was Saint Patrick’s Day and there were a few events that took place in our area, though it’s likely most were pulled in a few directions to either Boston or Newport the prior weekend. Though it was a relatively light week for Ireland-related events, there was no shortage of Irish tricolors flying from houses or people wearing green (don’t pinch me).
For events held in the area, on March 15, Joe Keane, renowned seanchaí (shan-a-key), or Gaelic storyteller, brought tales from the Emerald Isle to the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. Along with telling stories, sharing Irish folktales and lessons, and bringing pictures, Keane also brought a full-size harp to play.
He explained to the audience that the three leaves of the famed shamrock symbolize the three mythical queens of the island, or The Morrígan. The names of these queens/goddesses were Badb, Macha, and Anu. Though much of the Irish Gaelic history and folktales were lost to time or British subjugation, seanchaí like Joe Keane are able to keep history alive for all to learn, even in our neck of the woods.
On Saint Patrick’s Day proper, March 17, the Mattapoisett Land Trust and Mattapoisett Free Public Library hosted an outdoor story time, loot hike/scavenger hunt, and pea planting. Visitors met at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (fun-ish and somewhat relevant fact, Holmes is said to have maybe had some familiarity* with an Irish woman, whom he visited often in Cork), where they were read stories by Head Children’s Librarian/Assistant Director Kevin Thompson.
After that, they followed the trail of the leprechaun on the hunt for gold! Finally, they received some peas to plant at home, as is a St. Patty’s Day tradition. The best time to plant those is now through mid-April!
That was it for the big Irish-American celebrations. The town of Rochester offered a hearty Happy St. Pats to the town, saying, “Sláinte to our wonderful town!”
March 17 was also the 250th anniversary of Evacuation Day, for more on that, see the Revolution Story!
Saint Patrick’s Day in the Tri-Town
By Sam Bishop