First -- to the Mods: thanks so much for reinstating this thread. I had absolutely no intention of starting a political or religious debate. I was just curious what folks (esp. over in Ireland/England/Scotland) see as the UNIFYING bonds between the Irish and Scottish, how that fits in with the English, and the historical reasons for Scottish cultural participation in St. Patty's Day. It's a very interesting subject to me (coming from Ulster Scot ancestors), and I'd imagine, to others on this board. Like you said, this does steer close to some dangerous waters, but it isn't my intention to bring any of that into this discussion.

Here's my thought process: I know I like wearing the kilt on St. Patty's Day. Love hearing the 'pipes and drinking Guiness. In my gut I kinda feel like St. Patty's (here in the US) has maybe become (like so many other things) a watered down, Marketing driven production. Like - some Marketing exec. back in the 1950's said, "Hey, ya know, we could throw some kilted pipers in that parade, huh? It's all kinda Celtic-like, right" --- and, that it just stuck.

I'm really looking for other folk's thoughts/history on good LEGITIMATE (and positive) historical reasons for Scottish cultural participation in St. Patty's Day, and other unifying bonds b/t the Scots, Irish, and English.

Another way to state this may be, "What thoughts do you personally have when you don your kilt on March 17th?"


MKFarkus - thanks for taking the time to summarize that history. It was a good refresher, and a good jumping off point for this discussion. I appreciate it.