In the run-up to St. Patrick’s Day, which has seen thousands flock to Manchester, Gala Casino have been investigating the myth surrounding the luck of the Irish.
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and is known to have brought Christianity to the country in 432AD.
In Irish myths and legends, it is believed that St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland. This is thought by many to symbolise the evil in the country being driven out by Christianity.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 and is a day associated with everything Irish, including shamrocks, pots of gold, everything green and good luck.
‘The luck of the Irish’ is a common phase associated with Irish people and their apparent good fortune.
The saying itself has been widely debated over the years and confusion has risen as to whether the phrase refers to the Irish as being ‘lucky’ or ‘unlucky’.
The word ‘luck’ derives from Middle Dutch in origin, meaning ‘happiness’ or ‘good fortune.’
Despite many people believe the saying obviously refers to Irish people, Edward T. O’Donnell, author of ‘1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History’, says the term has American origins.
Many Irish people who travelled to the US found nuggets of gold buried in California. Some people see this as the circumstances that lead to the phrase being used to describe the fortune of the Irish.
Gala have tried to clear up the confusion around the luck of the Irish and have attempted to debunk the myth check their post here.
While some believe the phrase ‘the luck of the Irish’ directly refers to the luck of the Irish people in a literal sense, others see it as an ironic saying because Ireland has gone through so much misfortune over the years.
The saying is also thought to symbolise the fact that although the Irish have undergone such misfortune, they still managed to rise through it all and are seen as ‘lucky’ people in general.
Image courtesy of vividcorvid, via Flickr, with thanks.
