 On The Line -- Issue 679 -- March 21, 2008  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
|
|
On The Line -- Issue 679 -- March 21, 2008 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
|
|
It's not a holiday at all and it does not have the sentimental value of Christmas but in the last 150 years St. Patrick's Day has caught on with a great number of Americans, including many of non-Irish background It is celebrated in Ireland, of course, as well as in Canada, Australia and other countries where the Irish have settled in fair number. On March 17 the Irish and others so inclined have parades, celebrations and parties to honor the indomitable spirit of a hardy race.
There have been Irish people and descendants in the New World since colonial days but it was not until the 1840s and the decades following that they became a significant social factor. The failure of the potato crop year after year triggered the exodus to Europe, Australia and America. With millions leaving their native land to find means of living, Ireland's population dropped year after year. Many came to the United States and a great portion of that number sought out large cities like New York and Boston where the chance for steady work seemed better. They were desperately poor and lived in low-rent tenements and worked at any job available, even if their employers took advantage of their need and paid them a lesser wage than non-Irish. Despite all that, the Irish thrived. They had already been through adversity that had claimed many of their relatives. They were tough and in addition had their faith, the Church to which they could be consoled for their losses and inspired to keep going. Some of the first money they earned was sent to family members in Ireland wanting to leave for new opportunities in a new land. Hey tended to stick together as people of the same culture will in a strange new land. They loved the songs of Ireland and they enjoyed the old stories from the old country. So the hard work and the doing without did not daunt them because they recognized the opportunity to improve their lot. From construction work or as maids the Irish immigrants wanted more for their children, some of whom became merchants, attorneys, policemen and teachers in addition to those who took holy orders and entered the Church. Hard work and determination was the right path for the Irish as it had been for many immigrants to the United States and was to do for those who came after them. By the turn of the 20th Century the Irish had established as a powerful social and political force. St. Patrick's Day became an institution over the years and was not limited to the Irish alone. Anyone who admired their fortitude, their charm, their songs and poetry or anything else about them became Irish for that day. The Irish had a large role in settling San Benito County and many of their descendants play prominent parts in its life today. And every March 17 is a time to remember that, even if it may be for only the social aspect. Many people prepare corned beef and cabbage for March 17, probably for the only time in the year. Before the great migration, the Irish ate potatoes, cabbage and carrots, flavored with a bit of bacon if they could afford it. In the United States in the 1849s the cheapest kind of meat was corned beef so they substituted that for the bacon. It's an Irish-American dish rather than strictly Irish. Among the most popular places to celebrate the day in Hollister is at Johnny's Bar and Grill on San Benito Street. For many years attorney John O'Brien (Himself) presided over the festivities, leading Irish songs, telling Irish jokes and the like. O'Brien once arranged for a mannequin to make the Slide for Life on a wire attached to the top of the building across the street. The mannequin sustained only minimal damage with a broken foot. Another time he thought up the Great Marathon, with participants running the full width of San Benito Street, a daunting 10 yards. He has largely retired from those duties but the spirit lives on. Charisse Tyson and husband Tom Horsfall, Johnny's proprietors, welcome guests with a free corned beef and cabbage dinner. They also passed out green necklaces. The place was packed. Irish Joe Fahy, who has celebrated the day there for many years, wore a green derby and vest and let his Irishness beam unabashedly. Irish Kirk Tognazzini was there, too. Among the sons and daughters of Erin attending were Irish Bruce Pirl, with wife Veronica Pirl, and her brother, Irish Gullermo Matchain, who works at the family's Basque restaurant in San Juan Bautista. At the next table was Irish Ruth Erickson, originally of London, wearing green-framed glasses and a green necklace. She and friends Irish Dianne Lantz, Irish Helen McAbee, and the latter's daughter, Irish Janis Barnes, seemed to be having a wonderful time. Eventually it was announced that the dinner was ready and guests formed a line leading to the rear patio where serving tables had been set up. The meat was succulent and the cabbage, potatoes and carrots were cooked exactly right. Rolls and butter were at hand and several types of condiments for the meat. After everyone had been served, some guests returned for second helpings. Johnny's has always been known for its generosity so it anticipated that contingency and had prepared more than enough. Finding space at the outside and inside tables or at the bar, the guests settled down to a fine dinner, accompanied by beer, both normal and green, and many a laugh broke through the conversation. A few celebrants tried singing Irish songs but resorted to humming after the first few bars so the attempts failed. One old party told jokes in an Irish brogue, and when asked if he was Irish, he replied, "No, I'm not but me mother dropped me on me head when I was a wee babe, so many folks mistake me for an Irishman." It was a pleasant evening, with good fellowship and excellent food. Many celebrants returned to their own ethnicity the following day but for March 17 they had enjoyed the heritage of Ireland. |
 |
