Saint Patrick’s Day is such a strange holiday. Bars and pubs make mad money off of people who have no idea why they’re celebrating, but enjoy wearing eye-blinding green clothing and obnoxious accessories to avoid being pinched – apparently. Of course, after a certain point they’re so drunk they couldn’t care less if any of that made sense, but let’s consider something other than the cliches for a moment. Ireland is rich with traditions and a beautiful culture, so put down the cheap headbands and artificially dyed green beer and think about trying something new this March 17th.
Hair
The Celtic Knot has been around for centuries and was originally used for religious sculptures and artwork in Ireland. Now, the unique design has made its way to Pinterest and is becoming increasingly popular for use on St. Patrick’s Day and beyond. While it’s certainly beautiful, it’s a little complicated, so check out a few tutorials before trying it out! Twist Me Pretty has a pretty helpful one.
Jewelry
White gold and emeralds galore! Celtic jewelry is so special and different, with crazy designs you didn’t know you wanted until now! Forget about pronouncing it, but check out the claddagh ring. It’s a traditional ring exchanged in romantic relationships and friendships, symbolizing loyalty and love. We cant get enough of Blarney‘s exceptionally beautiful designs.
Food
Corned beef and cabbage is pretty tasty but Irish food gets way more delicious. There is a plethora of mouth-watering bread, cake and cheese recipes easily available online that you may consider for your St. Patty’s Day party. If you’re easily scared of foods you’ve never heard of, start small with an easy Pavlova recipe, a treat popular in Northern Ireland- there’s a good one from Irish Abroad.
Fashion
Aran sweaters are all fine and dandy, but Ireland is home to some truly brilliant designers that really have something different and special. Check out the Council of Irish Fashion Designers for a great list of designers and their websites to view their collections!
Music
With the popularity of folk music on the rise (thanks, Mumford and Sons), the idea of getting into Celtic Rock shouldn’t be that absurd. Like the name suggests, it’s a little bit of folk, it’s a little bit of rock, and it’s a whole lot of fun. Don’t knock it before you hear it- check out The Tossers-Good Morning Da. It’s surprisingly catchy.
