VII. Traditions of nothern ireland

St. Patrick’s and the Shamrock

St. Patrick’s Day is the seventeenth of March, and Irish men and women everywhere, together with a good many English people as well, try to obtain a sprig of shamrock to wear on that day. For St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and the shamrock is his special emblem.

Nearly every one must know the story of how it became so. He was preaching, standing out of doors on a little hill, trying to make his hearers understand the doctrine of the Trinity, how Three Persons could yet be one God. Unable to make them see, he stooped and picked a spray of shamrock, the little three-leaved plant growing among the grass at his feet. Holding it up, he explained that, as the leaves were still only one leaf since they all radiated from a central point, so Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, although Three Parsons, were yet but one God. And so, in memory of their patron saint and in honour of their country, the Irish people wear sprays of shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day, later, became associated with a custom which the saint would certainly have condemned had he been alive to do so during the time it was in vogue – it has practically died out now. It was called “Drowning the shamrock”, and it consisted simply in drinking excessively of spirits and beer. Two or three hundred years ago, some one started a legend that St. Patrick had taught the people of Ireland how to distil whisky, and those who liked strong drink were quick to seize the chance to indulge their taste. It become the practice of innkeepers to offer their customers free meals on St. Patrick’s Day, consisting of very salt fish with a glass of beer or whisky to wash it down. The generosity paid the innkeeper handsomely, for the fish was always so salt that it took many more than the one free drink to quench the thirst of his customers afterwards, and the extra drinks, of course, would all have to be paid for.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to say, that Great Britain has a lot of interesting and original traditions. People respect their customs and try observe them, although traditions are in very big number.

The aim of my work was helpful people, who prepare to make journey to Great Britain; helpful acquaint with customs, manners of behaviour, habits of the people. Studying them help us to understand better the English way of life.

Glossary

Bar of the House of Lords – решетка Палаты Лордов, за которую допускаются только лорды

bearskin – медвежья шапка (английских гвардейцев)

Beefeater – лейб-гвардеец

Beefeaters – стража королевских замков

Changing of the Guard – смена караула

court – двор (королевский)

deny royal access – отказывать королю в праве заходить в парламент

Footguards – гвардейская пехота

gargling water – вода без полоскания горла

Gentleman-at-Arms – лейб-гвардеец при королевском дворе

Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod – пристав чёрного жезла

Guildhall – ратуша в Лондоне

Gun Powder Plot – Пороховой заговор

Gurkha soldier – солдат полка курков

Her Majesty – Её Величество

High Court of Justice – Верховный суд

Horse Guards – конная гвардия

Household Cavalry – гвардейская кавалерия

Sunday Observance Laws – законы, запрещающие развлечения в воскресенье

Lord Mayor – лорд мэр

Mace – булава, жезл

Magistrate – член городского магистрата

Magna Carta – Магна Карта (1215г.), Великая Хартия Вольности

Mansion House – резиденция лорда мэра

pageantry – пышное зрелище

pub – пивная, трактир

Public Bill – законопроект

pursuivants – служащие в коллегии герольда

Rag Day – день студенческих шуток

Regiment of the Line – армейский полк

Queen’s Life Guard of Household Cavalry – личная охрана королевы из состава конной гвардии

royal ceremony – торжественная церемония с участием королевы

“tellers” – счётчики голосов в парламенте

Sergeant-at-Arms – парламентский пристав

Service – род войск

taburds – камзол гарольда

trooping of the colour – вынос знамени (церемония)

woolsack – набитая шерстью подушка, на которой сидит лорд-канцлер в палате лордов

Yeomen Warders – иомены-смотрители, охраняющие Тауэр