Saint Patrick's Day (17/3/21) : Part 1 by Mr A.N.Muggins

     It was Saint Patrick’s Day I noticed belatedly, a few days ago. Suddenly news stories appeared out of nowhere and funny memes arrived from many directions amongst Facebook’s social media platforms. The Americans were suddenly having a great time, being honourary Irishmen for a day (or more like a week!). (I am well aware that many many Americans do claim Irish ancestry, although one question I am always afraid to ask is, ‘Were they all Catholics? Or were many of them surely Protestants also, and can the Protestants enjoy St.Patrick’s Day as well?’

     As an Englishman born and bred, through and through (as far as he knows) Mr Alfred (the Great) N.Muggins is of course not well versed in all cultural and historical aspects of the Emerald Isle, and is as likely as not to put his clumsy foot in it as to delight his Irish compatriots (counterparts?), whether Catholic or Protestant!

    (He will enjoy tickling their ruffly feathers, and will doubtless be excused by playing the ignorant English fool card, which will hopefully get him out of any Troubles he may find himself in. (He doesn’t want no Irish Hit Squads of whatever persuasion chasing him around or criticising him for standing on eggshells he was not fully aware of being there!)