READERS WHO WRITE: The Irish affect within the Rogue Valley

READERS WHO WRITE: The Irish affect within the Rogue Valley

Published 7:00 am Sunday, March 8, 2026

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17. Most readers would acknowledge this as a day celebrating Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick. So, how is the day celebrated?

It is widely known with parades, Irish music, Irish meals, and naturally the sporting of inexperienced. Legendary Irish hospitality is present in Irish properties and native pubs. Céad Míle Fáilte (pronounced Kayd mee-lah fall-chah) is an Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) phrase which means “a hundred thousand welcomes” to all on at the present time. The Craic (pronounced “crack”) is an idea in Irish social life, referring to enjoyable, energetic dialog, and leisure. It isn’t extra evident than on at the present time. All are welcome to have a good time whether or not you might be Irish or not.

Now let’s take a look at the variety of Irish within the Rogue Valley space. Jackson County has roughly 10% to 14% of the inhabitants citing Irish descent primarily based on census information. The Medford space reveals Irish is inside the high 5 reported ancestries recognized. The metropolis of Jacksonville has an estimated 11% inhabitants of Irish. Irish is the third most typical ancestry in Oregon, following German and English. Oregon’s inhabitants of Irish is above the nationwide common. Irish pubs are full. Irish music is performed everywhere in the Rogue Valley, whether or not or not it’s in a pub, a vineyard, or occasions in Ashland and different leisure websites.

The range of music accessible within the Rogue Valley is expansive and contains Irish folklore music performed by very gifted musicians with conventional Irish devices. These devices embrace the Bodhrán (handheld drum made with goatskin over a picket body with one aspect open to carry the drum, Uilleann Pipes (sweet-toned bagpipes) to not be confused with the everyday Scottish Pipes, Fiddle (violin), the Whistle/Feadóg (a small six-holed wind instrument), Flutes (totally different sizes and ones made from wooden and others made from metal-the wooden is preferable), Irish Harp/Cláirseach which is the nationwide image of Ireland, Accordion and Concertina (a small transportable free-reed instrument with bellows and buttons), the Tenor Bajo, Guitar, Mandolin, Mandocello (giant, guitar-shaped instrument within the Mandolin household and Bouzouki (long-necked, plucked lute) spherical out devices you would possibly see at an Irish musical manufacturing.

Musicians will probably be taking part in these devices everywhere in the Rogue Valley on St. Patrick’s Day. It doesn’t cease there!

Throughout the 12 months it is possible for you to to listen to Irish music periods the place anybody can take part in the event that they play a standard Irish instrument. These periods are known as seisúns in Irish and in addition known as a Trad session. An open session is particularly marketed as “open” or “jam” session. Check out the Copper Plank on Saturday evenings in Medford, or the Dunbar Farms on Thursdays starting in March for an thrilling time listening to Irish music.

These are however two of the various websites providing Irish music within the Rogue Valley. O’Ryans Irish Pub in Ashland affords their friends with Irish delicacies and music.

These are just a few places affording the shoppers an opportunity to hearken to a wide range of music, not simply Irish. It is superb to see the extremely nice musical and appearing expertise within the Rogue Valley. The Craeterian Theater, the Cabaret, the Camelot, the Holly, and the Collaborative Theater Project are different venues to see appearing, singing, dance. Wow, aren’t we fortunate.

There is a lot to say about Irish traditions relating to delicacies, customs, folklore, music, and general historical past of the Irish Immigrants who got here to this nation and settled in locations like New York and Oregon. Probably essentially the most vital contribution to America and far of the world is the lifetime of St. Patrick. St. Patrick was sainted by the Catholic Church. His Feast Day was established on March 17 (shock) round 1631 to honor his legacy. He died on March 17, 461 AD. He had been enslaved in Ireland by pirates who had taken him from his house in Britain at 16 years of age. He spent 6 years in captivity earlier than escaping to Britain. Later he returned to Ireland to evangelise the Gospel. In the method he transformed Ireland to Christianity. He used the three-leaf clover to clarify the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost).

Why is inexperienced recognized as vital to the Irish individuals? Green turned related to the Irish wrestle in opposition to the English within the 1641 insurrection and the Confederation of Kilkenny. The Confederation used a harp on a inexperienced background for his or her image versus the harp with the blue background of the English.

And how can we overlook Leprechauns! Old “wee” fairies who’re often known as mischievous tricksters in Irish folklore.

May the highway rise as much as meet you; May the wind be at all times at your again; May the solar shine heat upon your face; And the rains fall comfortable upon your fields; And till we meet once more, might God maintain you within the hole of His hand.

May you’ve gotten daylight after showers; May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that develop.

— Bennacht Dé oraibh (pronounced ban-ukht day or-iv) which suggests God’s blessing on all of you.

Frank Pangborn lives in Medford.