For St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a round up of some Irish-themed content pulled from the Almanack archive:

Irish Fenians in the North Country: From the article: “The Fenian Brotherhood was an Irish Republican organization founded in New York in 1858 by John O’Mahoney. Their name is derived from legends about ancient Irish warriors called the Fianna. Their goal was an Irish Republic free of British rule.” READ MORE

Irish Beef Stew: A recipe for a traditional favorite. READ MORE

Irish Road Bowling in Indian Lake: From 2016, “One fun tradition that has been practiced in Ireland for hundreds of years in the counties of Cork and Armagh, is the sport of Irish Road Bowling. Indian Lake has been making this part of its St. Patrick’s Day tradition since 2006.” READ MORE

Hawthorn, the Leprechauns’ Tree: From this 2017 article by Paul Hetzler, “It is these large, older, solitary hawthorn trees which have often been associated with “wee folk” in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, and other parts of western Europe having Celtic heritage. Even today in many places, local laws protect hawthorn trees from being razed for road work or other development, and it is not hard to find people who still feel it is bad luck to cut down such a tree.” READ MORE

Beard contest: A blast from the past is a Donegal Beard Contest held in North Creek. From 2011: “Donegal Beard (also called a Chin-curtain or Lincoln) is an Irish-style beard that grows along the jaw line and covers the chin – no soul patch, no mustache. Contestants must be clean shaven January 1st and grow a Donegal Beard by St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th).” READ MORE

Photo: the 2012 Donegal Beard Contest/Almanack file photo