3-17-2026 8:30am

Kiss Me I'm Irish!

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - KISS ME I'M IRISH

Top of the mornin' to ya! Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you're Irish like me, you celebrate your heritage every day.

My paternal Great Grandparents came to the United States as part of the great migration. I don't know that much about them, but he was a Larkin from Ireland, and she was a Rosebrook from Holland. I remember my father having a pair of clogs from his childhood. He was blonde as a child.

I believe my Irish ancestors are from Dublin. When immigrants came to America back then, they didn't talk much about their homeland. That pride came later. They were too excited to be in the United States. The Great Experiment called America.

"The Great Experiment" generally refers to the creation of the United States as a foundational democratric republic, often called "the American Experiment," which tested whether a nation could govern itself through liberty and diverse representation.

Irish immigration to America was a massive, sustained movement, driven heavily by the 1845-1852 Great Famine, resulting in over 4.5 million Irish arriving between 1820 and 1930. Fleeing starvation and poverty, these immigrants—often young and single—faced severe discrimination, including "Irish need not apply" prejudice, yet built vital American infrastructure like railroads and canals, profoundly shaping American culture.

Key Aspects of Irish Immigration

The Great Famine (1845–1852): The potato blight killed over a million people, prompting roughly 1.5 million to flee to the U.S. within five years.
Early Immigration: Before the Famine, many Ulster Presbyterians emigrated in the 18th century, with substantial numbers arriving as early as the 1820s.
Demographics: Unlike many other immigrant groups, Irish immigration featured a high proportion of single women, with roughly half of all immigrants between 1856 and 1921 being female.
Settlement Areas: Irish immigrants heavily populated Northeastern cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, often living in crowded, impoverished tenement neighborhoods.
Discrimination and "Know-Nothings": Irish Catholics were viewed with suspicion by Protestant Americans, leading to the rise of anti-Catholic, nativist political movements like the "Know-Nothing" Party in the 1850s.
Labor and Infrastructure: Despite the prejudice, Irish labor was essential to building 19th-century American infrastructure, including the Erie Canal, railroads, and subways.
Legacy: Today, over 30 million Americans claim Irish ancestry.

Causes of Emigration

Economic Misery: Widespread poverty and lack of opportunity, especially in the rural west of Ireland.
Evictions: Mass evictions by landlords exacerbated the desperation of subsistence farmers.
Religious/Political Factors: 18th-century penal laws and restrictions on Presbyterian rights led many Ulster Scots (S

Impact on America

Urbanization: Irish immigrants were a major factor in the growth of American cities.
Political Power: Irish Americans became highly involved in city politics, particularly in New York and Boston.
Cultural Influence: Irish music, literature, and celebrations (St. Patrick's Day) are deeply woven into the American fabric.

Who is St. Patrick?

St. Patrick (5th century) is the primary patron saint and "Apostle of Ireland," credited with bringing Christianity to the country. Though born in Britain, he was enslaved in Ireland before escaping, later returning as a missionary bishop. He is traditionally associated with using shamrocks to explain the Trinity and died on March 17.

Key Details About St. Patrick

Background: Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was captured by Irish raiders at age 16 and spent six years as a slave in Ireland, tending sheep.
Missionary Work: After escaping, he believed he had a divine calling to return to Ireland as a missionary. He is credited with converting thousands of pagan Irish people to Christianity and consecrating bishops.
Legends: He is famously rumored to have driven all snakes out of Ireland, though many scholars view this as a metaphor for driving out paganism.
The Shamrock: According to legend, he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
Death and Legacy: He died on March 17, 461, in Saul, where he built his first church. That date is celebrated annually as St. Patrick's Day.
Veneration: While revered as a saint in the Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches, he was never formally canonized by the Catholic Church. He was known for his humility and courage, focusing on converting the people who once held him captive.

So, if someone says to you, "Kiss me I'm Irish." Chances are you might be. Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, celebrating a holiday like St. Patrick's Day creates a sense of love and community. The luck of the Irish!

SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The highlight of the week was watching the St. Patrick's Day Parade this past Saturday in Bay Shore from my front yard. It was a great way to see my neighbors. Erin go Bragh!

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK

The pick of the week is the final season of Outlander. This series spans seven seasons as you are taken on a magical journey through time. Outlander follows Claire Randall, a 1945 British combat nurse who mysteriously time-travels to 1743 Scotland. She is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, A Scottish warrior, navigating political, brutal warfare, and passionate romance across centuries while trying to survive and return home. Talk about the Blarney Stone!

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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SKYLARKS' PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

Let us continue to pray for the return of Nancy Guthrie. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK

English: You don't have to be Irish to have the luck of the Irish.

Italian: Non devi essere irlandese per avere la fortuna degli irlandesi.

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SKYLARK'S INTERIOR DECORATING TIP OF THE WEEK

Don't be afraid to bring some green into your home. It's actually quite popular now.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What does St. Patrick's Day mean to you?

Please put your answer in the Comment section under this post. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - DANNY BOY by THE IRISH TENORS

Lyrics

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

But come you back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

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I created my brand, Skylark Live, when I turned 60 years old and noticed a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in mature ageing through knowledge and self-awareness. I am open to conducting in-person conversations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be held in someone’s home or at a local library or senior center. To be continued.

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