Top o' the Mornin' to you, Boys And Girls!!

1. Top o' the Mornin' to you, Boys And Girls!!

2. Leprechauns Leprechauns are little make-believe fairies that live in Ireland. They are the shoemakers for the fairies.

3. They are little old men. • They usually stand about 2 feet tall.

4. Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a treeLive mystical, magical leprechauns who are clever as can be With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of greenThe leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen. Only those who really believe have seen these little elves And if we are all believers We can surely see for ourselves. (Irish Blessing)

5. Listen Closely • Leprechauns have a pot of gold. • If you listen closely for the sound of their hammer you might be able to capture one. • He might tell you where his pot of gold is hidden. • Be careful! • Do not take your eyes off him for if you do he will vanish and your hopes of finding his treasure will vanish with him. • No one has caught one yet.... • but start looking today!! Good luck!!

6. St. Patrick • Did you know that Saint Patrick's name at birth was Maewyn Succat? • He was born around 400 A.D. in England.

7. St. Patrick At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by a band pirates. He was sold into slavery in Ireland. He was made to work as a shepherd and turned to religion for peace. After six long years of slavery, he escaped to France.

8. He studied to become a priest for 12 years. Patrick was about sixty years old when he went back to Ireland. He used the shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, to help explain the concept of the Trinity (father, son, holy spirit).

9. In Ireland, he built monasteries, schools and churches. He tried to convert the Irish to Christianity. One tall tale about St. Patrick, is that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. He died on March 17, 461 A.D. March 17 is the day we celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

10. Symbols of St. Patrick's Day

11. Green Green is one of the colors of spring, nature and a symbol of hope. Shamrocks are Green. On St. Patrick’s Day, you need to wear green otherwise you will be PINCHED!!!

12. Blarney Stone The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of good luck and eloquence for all that kiss it. First you must climb up 120 steps to the top of the castle. Then sit with your back to the stone and have a friend hold your legs. Lean back while holding the iron rails, And kiss the Stone.

13. Blarney Stone

14. Legend of the Blarney Stone The legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly. It's difficult reach the stone. Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward or downward, holding iron bars for support

15. Shamrock The shamrock, a green clover, is the unofficial symbol of Ireland.

16. Food On St. Patrick’s Day you might eat a Irish Meal. Irish Stew is meat, potatoes and carrots. Corned Beef and Cabbage is also eaten on St. Paddy’s Day. Everyone likes to eat green on St. Patrick’s Day. Some Foods to try: Green tea Green cake Green Eggs Green milk Green Puddings Green

17. Luck Want to be lucky this St. Patrick’s Day? • Follow this advice: • Find a four-leaf clover. • Wear green (so you don't get pinched). • Kiss the blarney stone. • Catch a Leprechaun if you can!

18. St. Patrick's Day Poems

19. Shamrock of Ireland There's a dear little plant that grows in Ireland. 'Twas Saint Patrick himself sure that set it. And the sun on his labor with pleasure did smile. And a tear from his eyes oft-times wet it. It grows through the bog ... Through the brake, and through the mireland. And it's called the dear little Shamrock of Ireland. (Irish Blessing)

20. St. Patrick's Day St. Patrick's Day is here, you see.We'll pick some shamrocks, one, two, three.We'll count the leaves and look them over,And maybe find a four-leafed clover.I'll sew green buttons on my vest, Green for St. Patrick is the best. I'll wear a green hat, very high,And dance a jig--at least I'll try!

21. Rainbow Bridge There's a great big cloud over here.(form clouds with hands to right side of body)And a great big cloud over there.(form cloud with hands to left side of body)The rain falls down and makes a path.(make pretend falling rain with fingers)A rainbow bridge up in the air!(make a large arc from left to right with hands)

22. Leprechan Oh, there lived in old IrelandA wee little man, Known by the name of a Leprechaun.A fairy shoemaker, none other is he And he had the gift of wishes three. Well I'm tellin' ya now Should I meet him this day,It is I who would boldly step up and say:Bless the friends that I love,And the friends that love me, And the friends of me friends

23. Five little leprechauns digging for some gold. (Digging motion)One slipped and fell into a hole. (Falling)The others called a fairy who them told, (Calling)"No more leprechauns digging for gold!“ (Shaking finger)Four little leprechauns digging for some gold.(And so on...) No little leprechauns to dig for gold. (Shrug shoulders.)All the five are down in the hole. (Hold up five fingers, then point down.)Above them stands the fairy who loudly scolds, (Hands on hips)"I told you to stop digging for that gold!" (Shaking finger)

24. St. Patrick's Day is here, you see.We'll pick some shamrocks, one, two, three.We'll count the leaves and look them over,And maybe find a four-leafed clover.I'll sew green buttons on my vest,Green for St. Patrick is the best.I'll wear a green hat, very high,And dance a jig--at least I'll try!

25. The Wearin' O' the Green  Today is the day fer the wearin' o' the green.Today is the day when the little people are seen.Today is St. Patrick's Day, so if ye'r Irish me lad,Join the celebratin' fer the grandest time ta' be had.Ya' put yer hand up in the air, the other hand on your hip.Ya' tap yer toe, ya' tap yer heel, ya' bounce yer knee a wee bit.Ya' prance 'n dance around the room, n' circle one two three.The saints be praised, I must admit, ya' all look Irish ta' me.

26. I'll Wear a Shamrock  St. Patrick's Day is with us,The day when all that's seenTo right and left and everywhereIs green, green, green!And Irish tunes they whistleAnd Irish songs they sing,To-day each Irish lad walks outAs proud as any king.I'll wear a four-leaf shamrockIn my coat, the glad day through,For my father and mother are IrishAnd I am Irish too!

27. I'm looking over a four leaf cloverThat I overlooked beforeOne leaf is sunshine, the second is rain,Third is the roses that grow in the lane.No need explaining the one remainingIs somebody I adore.I'm looking over a four leaf cloverThat I overlooked before.

28. In honor of the festivities we leave you with this Irish blessing: May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!