Dia duit to all of you Irish, Irish-hyphenates and Irish-for-a-days worldwide on this national and religious holiday of Ireland. The day in America -- and more frequently now even in Ireland -- is often is a day-long drunk in celebration of one's Irishness. A number of folks take all or part of the day off from work to get absolutely blotto. Nothing wrong with that I suppose so long as you're safe (i.e., not hazardous to yourself and others), healthy in the general sense, not drinking the expensive whiskeys and keeping enough head about you to remember most of the craic.

But there are many ways aside from getting wasted to observe the passing of St. Patrick 1,500-odd years ago, and your Irish heritage and connections.


Here's your man flashing the shamrock at Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo

Catholics often attend Mass to celebrate St. Patrick's conversion of Irish tribes to Christianity -- he used the shamrock to illustrate the Holy Trinity to new believers. At Croagh Patrick, a 2,500-foot mountain overlooking Clew Bay in Co. Mayo, the faithful climb to the church at the top as part of a ritual pilgrimage (not just on Paddy's Day) to repent for their sins. (The mountain also is known locally as "The Reek", referring to the Irish word for a stack or pile; the mountain is covered in scree making it resemble an exceedingly large stack of rocks). To those concerned about more earthly matters I should add that there is a pub at the base of the mountain.

In America, a boiled dinner of corned beef, cabbage, spuds, carrots, parsnips, etc., is customary. It's not Irish per se as ham is much more common and traditional in Ireland -- the closest thing here would be a smoked pork shoulder. Immigrants to America couldn't get pork as easily or cheaply so they adopted the readily available corned beef brought in by European Jews. In either case it's a tasty meal and goes great with a pint or so of stout.

Then there's the matter of whiskey. If you're already familiar with Irish whiskey or have a preferred brand then by all means share some with family and friends. St. Patrick's Day especially is a great opportunity to introduce the unfamiliar to the good dram. It doesn't have to be straight up. It's also quite good in tea, coffee or as "a hot one," with hot water, a spoonful of sugar and a slice of lemon with cloves if you want to dress it up a bit.  Or just pour some into a mug of lemon tea.

If you're not familiar or even bewildered by the selection at your local liquor store, it's hard to go wrong with a bottle of Jameson, Bushmills, Tyrconnell (a single malt) or Tullamore Dew among others. If you've tried those and want to expand your horizons try the venerable Powers, or, put a little more coin in to buy some Jameson 12, Powers 12 or Black Bush. Red Breast 12-year-old also is a favorite and gets a big thumbs up from most imbibers.

Paddy is a casual favorite that appeals to many drinkers unfamiliar with whiskey. Paddy is nice though priced a bit high because of its limited US availability and to protect sales of its flagship cousin, Jameson. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Cooley Distillery also produces a great range of very accessible private label whiskeys for the US market such as the economical John L. Sullivan or Michael Collins (a blend or a single malt) or the Wild Geese single malt (nicely Malty) at the premium end.

Aside from just getting locked (there are 364 other days in the year available for that. If you're counting), the day is probably best observed drinking your beverage of choice, enjoying a good meal and the company of friends and family. And slagging the bejeesus out of each other. In the end, it's all about the craic.

How do you observe St. Patrick's Day. What are your choices of food, beverage and company? At home, at a bar?  What traditions do you have?