Washington, D.C. - March 17, 2006

Try Me, I’m Irish

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Green beer and screaming masses? Thanks, but no thanks.

Instead, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with some real Irish spirit. (And we’re not talking about the Bushmill’s.)

Ready to give Bono a rest? Give a listen to The Chalets, a new band from Dublin. And reading Ulysses could drive anyone to drink; instead, try a recording of Joyce’s works by Frank and Malachy McCourt and thirteen Irish actors.

Boiled potatoes and soda bread have their charm, but dig deeper with a cookbook from the Ballymaloe Cookery School, started by Darina Allen, a.k.a. the Julia of Ireland. (Or just check out her website.) Don’t want to cook? Buy gourmet chocolates and cheese from purveyors of all-foods-Irish, website Burren Smokehouse.

Irish designs are not all woolen fisherman sweaters, as demonstrated by the playful wares of Orla Kiely. And not all Waterford is your grandmother’s: Invest in something wonderful from John Rocha.

Pining for the Emerald Isle? Ease the agony with limited-edition contemporary photographs by Con Scanlon. Or help others as you help yourself to a deck of Art:Pack playing cards; each card is designed by an Irish artist, and proceeds go to help the Irish Hospice Foundation.

There. Now put on that silly hat and your “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” pin and go drink some beer.