I’ve always loved being a Murphy.

Never more so than on St. Patrick’s Day – the happiest holiday on earth.

When I was 21, not that we needed an excuse to party, but my friends and I celebrated St. Paddy’s Day in a big way. My Delta College buds consisted of Tim Jay, Dave Schuler, Neil Schmidt, Fred Johnson, Matt Kelly along with Sheila Cline, Kim Fox, Kay Cimbalik and the twins, Sharon & Karen Rudy. We would commander a couple of big tables at the Green Hut, a neighborhood dive bar in Bay City, Michigan, and drink copious amounts of green beer.  I recently found some old photos which brought back memories of those days of reckless abandon.  I’m pictured here, the dorky one propped up against the cheap plywood paneling.  Oh, those most definitely were not the good old days!

Clockwise from top left: Denise, Sharon & Kato; Me, looking very dorky and little bit drunk; our group’s dorky entry into the Bay City St Patrick’s Day Parade and Tim Jay, always the coolest guy in our group.

In those Bay City bar days, never would I have dreamed I’d have visited Ireland as often as I have. Though I’ve never been in country for the actual holiday, it’s where I’ve enjoyed some of the best moments of my travel career:

At Mt. Juliet Estate, near Thomastown, I visited the pups and the horses and the gorgeous gardens.

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Ireland is full of charming characters (clockwise from top left: Eugene McConville, who operates one of the last remaining flax farms in Europe – which has been in his family since 1796; a couple of thirsty gents enjoying their pints al fresco; Gabriel O’Haigazian; Katie O’Byrne, funniest tour guide on the planet; Barry Moloney, who does fabulously entertaining walking tours in colorful Kinsale.

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Adare Manor was a stunning success for our NECA group – especially when the horses and hounds showed up during the cocktail party!

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The barren, windswept Aran Islands, off the west coast, are places of incomparable beauty – especially in the sunshine!

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The whole world goes green on this holiday!

Sydney o’pera house

Voted the world’s most luxurious hotel (all suites, all butlers, all the time…), the McBurj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai goes green, too!

And or course, the Chicago River turns green – if it’s not frozen solid, that is!

 May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

And may the road rise up to meet you, wherever you may roam!

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

Sláinte!!

Have you had the pleasure of traveling to Ireland? Care to share a favorite place or memory?

How will you celebrate the happiest holiday on earth?