Saint Patrick’s Day – part 2

Saint Patrick’s day is finally here!

E aí? Está usando uma peça de roupa verde? Já achou seu trevo de 3 folhas? Viu algum duende correndo por aí atrás do pote de ouro do final do arco-íris?

O que? Boiou na história? Explicamos!

No texto abaixo, você vai achar um monte de informações sobre os grandes símbolos de Saint Patrick’s day. Complete cada lacuna com a palavra apropriada para entender o texto direitinho.

The Shamrock

The shamrock, __________ was also called the “seamroy” by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth ofspring. __________ the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. __________ the English began to seize Irish land and make laws against the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure __________ English rule.

Irish Music

Music is often associated __________ St. Patrick‘s Day—and Irish culture in general. __________ ancient days of the Celts, music has always been an important part of Irish life. The Celts had an oral culture, __________ religion, legend and history were passed from one generation __________ the next by way of stories and songs. After being conquered __________ the English, and forbidden to speak their own language, the Irish, like other oppressed peoples, turned __________ music to help them remember important events and hold __________ to their heritage and history. As it often stirred emotion and helped to galvanize people, music was outlawed by the English. __________ her reign, Queen Elizabeth I even decreed that all artists and pipers were to be arrested and hanged on the spot.

Today, traditional Irish bands like The Chieftains, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem are gaining worldwide popularity. Their music is produced __________ instruments that have been used for centuries, including the fiddle, the uilleann pipes (a sort of elaborate bagpipe), the tin whistle (a sort of flute that is actually made of nickel-silver, brass or aluminum) and the bodhran (an ancient type of framedrum that was traditionally used __________ warfare rather than music).

The Snake

It has long been recounted that, __________ his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop (__________ is now called Croagh Patrick), and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland.

__________ fact, the island nation was never home to any snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” was really a metaphor __________ the eradication of pagan ideology from Ireland and the triumph of Christianity. Within 200 years of Patrick’s arrival, Ireland was completely Christianized.

Corned Beef

Each year, thousands of Irish Americans gather with their loved ones on St. Patrick’s Day to share a “traditional” meal of corned beef and cabbage.

__________ cabbage has long been an Irish food, corned beef only began to be associated with St. Patrick’s Day at the turn of the century.

Irish immigrants living __________New York City‘s Lower East Side substituted corned beef for their traditional dish of Irish bacon to save money. They learned about the cheaper alternative from their Jewish neighbors.

The Leprechaun

The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is “lobaircin,” meaning “small-bodied fellow.”

Belief __________ leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief __________ fairies, tiny men and women __________ could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. __________ only minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much-fabled treasure.

Leprechauns had nothing to do with St. Patrick or the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, a Catholic holy day. In 1959,Walt Disney released a film called Darby O’Gill & the Little People, __________ introduced America to a very different sort of leprechaun than the cantankerous little man of Irish folklore. This cheerful, friendly leprechaun is a purely American invention, __________ has quickly evolved into an easily recognizable symbol of both St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland in general.

Quer conferir suas respostas? Clique aqui!

Bom, mas as informações não param por aí. O vídeo abaixo mostra inúmeras expressões que você vai precisar para conversar sobre Saint Patrick’s day. Não deixe de assistir!

E para finalizar nosso post com chave de ouro…. Links divertidos para vocês!!!

Online coloring pages

Online games

Have fun!

Enjoy this great day!