Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
May your luck be Irish, your strength be Norwegian, and your joy be endless. Sláinte! Skål!
Growing up in a family where my Thrailkill side originates from Irish and Norwegian heritage, with a splash of American Indian somewhere along the way, is like inheriting a tapestry woven with vibrant threads of history, grit, and slight whiff of alcohol. For someone like me, born on March 17th, it’s not just a date on the calendar; it’s a personal connection to the past that feels both festive and serves as a reminder to reset.
The Irish Side: Luck and Laughter
The Irish influence in my family runs deep—think storytelling around the table, a love for music that makes your feet tap, and a stubborn resilience that’s been passed down through generations. St. Patrick’s Day amplifies this heritage. Historically, it commemorates the patron saint who brought Christianity to Ireland, but for many of us with Irish blood, it’s also a celebration of survival—through famine, migration, and hardship—wrapped in a joyous package of parades, Guinness, and corned beef.
Being born on St. Paddy’s Day feels like the universe handed me a four-leaf clover. Every year, my birthday gets swept up in a wave of green—literally and figuratively. Friends and family don’t just celebrate me; they celebrate Ireland itself. There’s something magical about sharing my special day with a holiday that’s all about luck and good cheer. I’ve heard the jokes about being “extra Irish” or having the “luck of the Irish” baked into my DNA, and honestly, I lean into it. Who wouldn’t want a birthday where the whole world seems to throw a party?
The Norwegian Side: Strength & Simplicity
Then there’s the Norwegian half —a quieter, steadier presence. If the Irish side brings the noise and the revelry, the Norwegian side brings a grounded strength. My ancestors were likely farmers or fishermen, people who braved harsh winters and long nights with a no-nonsense attitude and a deep appreciation for nature. Their legacy in me is a love for simplicity—good food, close family, and the kind of endurance that doesn’t need to shout about itself.
St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have a direct tie to Norwegian culture, of course, but it doesn’t feel at odds with it either. Norwegians have their own traditions of celebrating life’s milestones with warmth and community, like Syttende Mai (Norway’s Constitution Day on May 17th), which mirrors the communal spirit of St. Paddy’s. For me, blending these roots means my birthday isn’t just about Irish exuberance—it’s also about the understated Norwegian pride that keeps me steady amid the chaos of a holiday bash.
St. Patrick’s Day
Having a St. Patrick’s Day birthday with this dual heritage turns every March 17th into a kaleidoscope of meaning. There’s the Irish flair: wearing green (not optional in my house), digging into homemade soda bread (getting better at making), and maybe even attempting a jig with my sons if the mood strikes and likely after a Dark Beer from Reformation Brewery. But there’s also a nod to my Norwegian side—maybe a quiet moment to reflect quietly on the past or the future.
As a young child, I thought everyone celebrated their birthday with shamrock balloons and bagpipe music. Now, I see it as a gift—a chance to weave together two cultures into one unforgettable day. The Irish side reminds me to embrace the joy and share it with others; the Norwegian side keeps me rooted, reminding me that family and resilience are the real treasures.
My unCommon Sense
So, what does it mean to me to have a St. Patrick’s Day birthday? It’s a collision of céad míle fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes) and koselig (cozy togetherness). It’s a day where I’m allowed to be the life of the party and the one quietly grateful for the people around me. If you ever meet someone like me, born on this day with this heritage, raise a glass—of whiskey or dark beer, take your pick—and join the celebration. Because for us, March 17th is a vibrant, living thread of who we are.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day—and to anyone sharing it with a birthday, may your luck be Irish, your strength be Norwegian, and your joy be endless. Sláinte! Skål!
If you want to chat about your thoughts on this topic, please send me an email dan@thrailkill.us or drop me a message using the button below. Would love to meet for coffee, a beer, or a virtual conversation.
Have a good one,
Dan