Thursday, March 17, 2011

All Things Green



The earliest Irish in Georgia were descendants of the Calvinist Scots from Ulster. They made their living by trading, trapping, and soldiering (2). But much greater numbers of Irish came to Savannah in the early nineteenth century to help build the canals and the Central of Georgia Railroad line. With the potato blight in Ireland many more came to America and of those many moved to Savannah. They were hard workers and made a home for themselves in the south.

Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the second largest in the U.S. and dates back to 1831. "It was organized by the Hibernian Society of Savannah, a benevolent group of Irish dedicated to aiding their less-fortunate fellow countrymen,” wrote Howard Keeley, PhD, Georgia Southern University Director of Irish Studies(1).

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After mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, people walk over to the parade route where the traditional parade begins.


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History will be on the march,



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and you can not have a parade without pipers.



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Of course there will be floats,



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and Irish dancers.


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Appreciative gals will be descending on our brave troops.



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If it has wheels and was not green before, it will be now.




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From pipe bands to the Marine band there will be music in the streets.


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There must be something about the uniform.



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More floats, more bands, more Irish dancers, etc., etc., etc. - Remember this is the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in America.



You expect to see plenty of things in the parade, but there is much to entertain you in the crowds:


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tall, smiling green hats,


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little leprechauns,


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big leprechauns,


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Funny green people,



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green dogs,


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and just plain strange green things.



When the parade is over you can head down to River Street to grab a refreshing drink,

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that is, if there is room.



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When the parade is over and the day is done, it will even end on a green note.



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credits:
1.http://www.moon.com/destinations/charleston-savannah/savannah/the-irish-savannah
Jim Morekis from Moon Charleston & Savannah, 4th Edition
2.http://news.georgiasouthern.edu

photo credits.
1.http://www.diosav.org
2.http://gosoutheast.about.com
3.http://gosoutheast.about.com
4.http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/holidays-occasions/get-inspired-march-2008-00400000008257/s:
5.http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/photoswebcamspodcasts/ig/St--Patrick-s-Day---Savannah/Irish-Dancers-of-Savannah.htm
6.http://www.army.mil/-news/2011/01/06/50103-2010-year-in-review--deployed-soldiers-remembered-at-st-patricks-day-parade-25-march-10/
7.http://gosoutheast.about.com
8.http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/photoswebcamspodcasts/ig/St--Patrick-s-Day---Savannah/Irish-Dancers-of-Savannah.htm
9.http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/01/25/2008-01-25_drinking_fighting_reasons_cited_why_fdny-1.html
10.http://gosoutheast.about.com
11.http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/holidays-occasions/get-inspired-march-2008-00400000008257/s:
12.http://www.keytosavannah.com/blog/tagged/St.-Patricks-Day
13.http://www.richmondrugby.net/savannah_2009.html
14.http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/travel/southeast/st-patricks-savannah/
15.savannahnow.com by Kimberly Larson
16.http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/travel/southeast/st-patricks-savannah/
17.http://gosoutheast.about.com
18.http://dizzy-girl.net/?p=1010
19.http://real-savvy.com/category/things-to-do-in-savannah

11 comments:

  1. I bet it is a great parade. Mom and I always loved a good parade!!! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  2. My goodness, you guys sure go all out, compared with our quiet consumption of one green (lime-flavoured) jelly. I hope you had fun!

    And I too like the A McC S books - their simplicity is made engaging by their goodheartedness.

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  3. I hope your St Patrick's Day was a happy one.

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  4. I loved this.....the music..the pictures...your words...just loved it.

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  5. Mya you do the best most informative posts !
    Every visit is a treat, even if I am a few days behind :))
    Oh there are SO many benefits to being part of Shabby Lane Shops ... I love being part of it.

    (())

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  6. What fun to go from one photo to the next and feel like I was right there with you. Great post.

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  7. What a fun post. I especially liked the green dogs. I enjoy seeing how other people celebrate holidays. It always opens up a whole new world. Thanks for asking about my Spring break. I hadn't planned on sharing what I did until you asked.

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  8. HAPPY BELATED ST. PATRICK'S DAY, MYA
    That was a beautiful and informative post. It made me feel just like I was there. It made me want to pack up and move there right away. I guess I just never knew Savannah was that big...what is the cost of living...are there lots of junk shops...how far are you from the ocean.....
    Thanks for taking me to the parade.
    Thank you for visiting me...we are a world in grieving and Jesus is our only hope
    Have A Sugar Sweet Day.
    hugs
    Simply Debbie

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  9. Oh wonderful pictures! I loved the Pipers in their kilts! And yes, there is definitely something about men in uniform, ahem...

    Have a wonderful weekend Mya!

    Tx

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  10. hello Mya! you have just won on my blog! e mail me and will discuss what I shall make you. needlewings (at) mac (dot) com

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  11. Mya,
    Thanks for posting about my giveaway! I really appreciate it.

    I love this post...my family came from Ireland and after being in Georgia, Tennessee ended in Arkansas. I've heard about the Savannah Parade and always wanted to go...maybe someday!
    Have a wonderful day...Terrie

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