Symbols of Ireland THE SEAMRÓG (CLOVER) (pron. sham-rawk, meaning little clover ) is a three-leafed clover seen

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1 Symbols of Ireland THE SEAMRÓG (CLOVER) (pron. sham-rawk, meaning little clover ) is a three-leafed clover seen in the artwork of the Celts and is used to illustrate the divine nature of the Holy Trinity. It was adopted by the Irish regiments of the Queen s Army. When it became an emblem of rebellion in the 19 th century, Queen Victoria outlawed it and made wearing it punishable by death by hanging; referred to as the Wearing of the Green. The Wearing of the green originally hailed spring-time. The Immortals of faeries wore it in the great legends. Green clothes attract faeries and help crops since it is the colour of the earth. Green clothes are worn in the United States, but not in Ireland because of the upsetting reminder. Today the seamróg joins the English Rose and the Scottish Thistle on the British flag and is an integral part of Saint Patrick s Day celebrations.

2 THE HARP The Irish harp is a symbol of Ireland and can be seen on Saint Patrick s day decorations. Called a clarsach, it is small, held on a knee and is carved from a solid block of wood. It is displayed on Irish flag, coins and on the royal British coat of arms. Ancient Irish stone carvings and metal work show people playing harps and in early Christian times noblemen gathered to hear them. Men were sent to Ireland from all over the world to learn harp playing. Unfortunately, King Edward I of England orchestrated a massacre of the bands and harpists of Wales, Scotland and Ireland in 1283 and much of the music was lost. The harp was further set back when it became an expression of rebellion and Queen Elizabeth ordered her enforcers to hang the harpers wherever found during the Renaissance times.

3 THE SHILLELAGH The shillelagh (pron. shi-lay-lee) is the Irish word for oak club. Shillelagh was the name of an oak forest that was in County Wicklow before it was cut down as part of the timber industry. A club cut from an oak was known as a sprig of shillelagh. Shillelaghs were/are carried by men and are commonly used as a walking sticks or hockey sticks for hurling. In older times they were used as fighting weapons. Serious fighters had two sticks: one to ward off blows and another to deliver. Today shillelaghs are made of blackthorn, as oak is scarce. Souvenir ones have green ribbons and toy shillelaghs of green plastic are made for children on Saint Patrick s Day common Irish saying goes An Irishman s heart is as stout as a shillelagh. This refers to loyalty and strength, two ideal Irish qualities. It's The Same Old Shillelagh is an Irish novelty song written by Pat White. Its subject is a young Irish-American who inherits his father's shillelagh. It was recorded by various Irish-American artists such as Billy Murray (1940) and most notably Bing Crosby (1945). The inherent violence and Irish stereotyping in the song were better tolerated in their day than they are in the 21st Century. Sample lyric: If there s a fight, I ll be all right, I'll knock 'em cold, you see; Because I have the old shillelagh Father gave to me.

4 LEPRECHAUNS The Leprechaun is an Irish fairy. He looks like a small, old man (about 2 feet tall), often dressed like a shoemaker, with a cocked hat and a leather apron. According to a legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live alone, an pass the time making shoes. They also possess a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker s hammer. If caught, he can be forced (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure, but the captor must keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor s eyes leave the leprechaun 9and he often tricks them into looking away, he vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.

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