The Irish Shamrock – A brief history

The shamrock accepted in most places as the emblem of Ireland. As children we were dispatched to pick fresh shamrock on the morning of St Patrick’s day for our parents and elders. According to Legend Saint Patrick, our patron saint, a fifth century Bishop in Ireland used a sprig of shamrock while preaching an open-air sermon to outline the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

Today wearing the shamrock is an integral part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations worldwide and the term ” drowning the shamrock” came about many years ago.

After wearing the shamrock on St Patrick’s day, it was removed and placed in a glass of Irish Whiskey and a toast made to good health. After the toast the shamrock was taken from the glass and thrown over the left shoulder.

The Saint Patrick’s day White house tradition where the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) presents the American President with a bowl of shamrock started in 1952 when President Harry Truman was in the Oval office.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day