Post your St. Patrick's day stories...

[al' Sporrano]

The first time I saw The Quiet Man was last year just before my
first trip to Ireland. I had only heard about the movie just a few
months before that. It was truly unusual for me sinceI am a big John Wayne fan. I own many of his movies but had never even heard of The Quite Man.
I too was moved when I saw it.
It truly is a GREAT Movie!

Another movie I would recommend is Waking Ned Devine.
It captures the Irish people and their interaction with each other
in a contemporary setting. It too is one of my favorites.

A good Scottish movie is Local Hero. It also gives a good look
at the 80’s culture and how Scotland (any place that makes you feel at home)
can change you.

Waking Ned is very good. Loch ness is a nice family film, with the same message as Local Hero. Sadly no kilts.

Al

[Colin]

I loved waking Ned Devine. I believe it was actually filmed on the ISle of Man though. Still hilarious. One recent one that took the piss out of the Irish, and the American politicians was the Matchmaker. I bit sappy at times, but still worth a watch.

[Celt]

Matchmaker was a hoot...you're right.

[Colin]

Waking Ned is very good. Loch ness is a nice family film, with the same message as Local Hero. Sadly no kilts.

Al

Al, please tell me you're not taking about that mindless drivel with Ted Dansen. I just can't stand that guy. We also have a really cheesy horror movie here called Loch ness.

[KiltedHuntsman]

I loved Local Hero. A hand crafted jewel of a movie. Reminds me of some biztrips I've done.

Especially the whole Kylie (spl?) part, getting drunk and trying to describe the Northern Lights on the phone (Oh My God, It turned red!! The whole sky turned red!!)

I loved Serina (and loved looking at her). Burt Lancaster was inspired ("Hmmm, the Harper Institute. Hmmmm, says it all...")

And Victor, the Capitalist Russian Fisherman. "You can't eat scenery, Mack"

[Mr. Kilt]

My wife and I went out for drinks with some of our biker buddies last night. I wore my Andrew Kidder forest green canvas kilt, feeling it was more fitting for St Paddys day than my Black Watch Bear kilt (sorry Bear). The hostesses at the pub LOVED the kilt, although none of them tried a kilt check (double drat!). Our friends all thought I looked pretty good in the kilt.

The only "down" moment was when we were leaving. Some drunken businessman said "Nice dress" to me. I tried to explain his error to him, but he didn't want to listen. Oh well. It was a great night anyway!

[Daneel]

Hi All, Well the 17th come and gone for another year. This year was a first for me as I went to Downpatrick to see the annual parade and visit the Grave of St. Patrick. I live about 25 miles away. The place was hiving and not a kilt in sight except for two bands. I decided to wear my Saffron kilt in honour of the day. I got plenty of looks, and a few wolf whistles. The usual, boys pretending to be men. I had been apprehensive about wearing it as it it can be seen in the wrong light by Unionists. Even my wife was a bit unsure but, no problems. In fact it was great and I felt 10 feet tall. However the Belfast parade was a different matter. It is very politicised. The place was coming down with Tricolours (The GREEN WHITE AND GOLD flag of the South). The parade was very much under the control of people establishing a Republican identity. To be honest it was all rather tacky. The Downpatrick parade was full of people of all ages dressed up in every kind of costume, and the atmosphere was one of fun and community. I have posted some pictures to my web site. http://www.snlapping.co.uk/Kilts/philabeg3.htm
One of the bands I still have to Identify. On a different tack, a friend of mine who introduced me to the idea of kilts recently bid on EBay for a kilt and got it for £50.00. It is a full 13oz 8 yard, in perfect condition and would appear to have hardy ever to have been worn. He has still to ID the tartan but it fits perfectly. I really must keep an eye out myself.

[Graham]

Daneel, it's sad that a day that is supposed to honour one of the world's most wonderful evangelists (Patrick) is turned into a political event.

In Australia I don't see any of that, but then, the issues of political conflict in Ireland are not so revelant here.

It seems I got less grief wearing a kilt here than you did too!
Well done for being a braveheart tho'

Bail ó Dhia ort

[John in Texas]

I kilted up and hit the local (only) pseudo-Irish pub in town for a few pints with a few friends.

Final Score:

2 Dumb-A$$ chicano's giggling like girls in the corner.

1 Bar Owner complementing me on my courage.

2 Waitresses telling me how the ladies at the bar couldnt keep their eyes off of me.

17 Ladies (?) asking about whats worn underneath, I got bored & just started answering "Lipstick".

Numerous "You Rock"'s from assorted patrons.

8 Drinks bought for me.

In all, a VERY good night

[Graham]

Not a bad score at all John, well done!!