Saint Patrick’s Day and a party in the honor of his life? Hmm…sounds funny but it’s actually serious fun or (square) fun2. What we’re trying to do is to reenact Saint Patrick’s life. There are certainly historical facts, legends and those who write them. Let’s start the list of characters at the party with a historian endowed with a parchment, quill and a bottle of ink. Will the ink be spilled? I don’t want to write that scenario, but it doesn’t mean that it won’t happen. Particularly, because this ink would not stain forever, just scare the victim before they vanish.
When St. Patrick was born, Romans were still governing Wales and excommunicating the druids. Not much is known about the latter because they were forbidden to leave written accounts of their legacy. As bad exorcists as they may have been, it’s good for us to have them at our Saint Patrick’s Day Masquerade Ball party. Back to the history or legend, as a kid, St. Patrick may have listened to stories about fairies and wandered in the woods to check them out. As a teenage boy of 16, he liked wondering on the beach, not sure though if already rolling pious thoughts or his eyes on sexy girls. (Hope nobody’s offended ‘cause it’s all before he became Saint.) It happened that it was a leap year of February 29th, when one of those girls came right at him and proposed marriage. Before he could answer, some pirates jumped from a boat and took him on their ship; the legend does not say why.
After he became a Saint, his friend and brother in faith Saint Bridged told him that men were slow to propose marriage. Remembering that he himself was proposed, and sympathetic, he issued this religious order: on the leap years of February 29th, a girl could propose. If the man politely declined, he was supposed to pay up 100 Pounds ($124.12 at current rate, make sure you have the change) and give her a silk dress on top of it. Why am I writing about February 29th and marriage proposals on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17th? Because at a Masquerade ball party we can pretend, unless we choose to make it real and fun. And now talking to the men: one could be anything but why not one of the Elves race, an Elf like Legolas in the Lord of the Ring. Other than being easy to spot by women due to the pointed ears, they have the reputation of good looking, smart and courageous men. Kids? If they want to hide how smart they are, they’ll have to wear the Hobbit’s feet. But what’s the relationship between the Saint Patrick’s Day, the Irish and the Lord of the Ring? It appears that J.R. Tolkien influenced more the contemporary Irish folklore than the other way around. So, it is appropriate nowadays to suggest that Lord of the Ring wreaths, rings and necklaces are offered on this Life Masquerade Ball party celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day.
Have fun and pretend, it’s an Irish celebration after all.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What’s Masquerade Ball?
When you have a ball with a masque.
I don’t want to wear a costume or a mask. What do I do?
Get then this connotation loaded Irish-Devilish-Elvish shirt.
How do I write the Invitation to this party?
If it’s at your house you can start with “In a hole in the ground, there lives a hobbit. In ours, there is a Saint Patrick’s Day Masquerade party.”
