Saint Patrick's Day
Irish Patriotism and Ireland's Patron Saint
St Patrick's day is a focus for Irish patriots, but does the Northern Irish peace process herald a new kind of civic and cultural patriotism?
Irish Patriotism
On 17 March 1762, Irish soldiers serving with the English military marched through the streets of New York City in celebration of their patron saint. The surge of Irish patriotism among American immigrants saw the rise of Irish Aid Societies like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society.
First American Cardinal
Indeed, John McCloskey, the son of an Irish shopkeeper in Brooklyn, became the first American cardinal. Perhaps sensing the growing strength of the Irish vote, or maybe just for the sheer heck of it, 1962 saw Chicago’s city fathers dumping a hundredweight of green vegetable dye into the river in celebration of St Patrick’s Day.
How come Saint Patrick’s Day has that extra bit of oomph which is so singularly lacking with his Scottish counterpart, Saint Andrew, or for that matter Saints George and David in England and Wales respectively?
Nationalism
It’s back to that ‘p’ word. History shows that in Ireland, there is a link between patriotism and the politics of nationalism, which in modern times led to what has been euphemistically described as the ‘armed struggle’. The years of conflict were such that, like it or not, Saint Patrick’s Day was not only an opportunity to celebrate one of Christianity’s most widely known figures, but also to become a focal point for those who sought to give expression to their patriotic feelings in the language of nationalist ideals.
Peace Process
What might Saint Patrick see now to give him hope? A hard-won peace process keeping its head above water; the evolution of a new language of accommodation trying to consign ‘armed struggle’ and ‘no surrender’ to the dustbin of history; and a climate where risks are routinely taken for peace.
Take, for example, the Gaelic Athletic Association’s decision to repeal Rule 21, which barred Northern Irish police officers and military from participating in gaelic football or hurling. Given that up until 1971 Rule 27 banned Gaels from playing or even attending soccer, rugby, cricket and hockey games, one can see that the GAA’s move was highly significant.
New Patriotism
But do nationalists have a monopoly on patriotism? Perhaps, as the peace process nudges forward, can a more liberal light be shone in order to find a new, all-inclusive patriotism promoting a shared civic and cultural ideal which both Protestant and Roman Catholic communities can embrace?
More than two hundred years have elapsed since Samuel Johnson wrote that ‘the Irish are a fair people; they never speak well of one another.’ Let us hope that is behind us and that the 21st century, through Saint Patrick, sees a new Irish patriotism as a place offering no refuge to scoundrels.
