St. Patrick’s Day, that time of the year when we Irish take the opportunity to attend mass (for once if we’re not practising), see those odd family members who only appear usually at Christmas, and of course loyally wait for the local village parade to swing down main street in all it’s glory. Alright, so a parade of tractors, trailers, the local school groups and clubs, and the odd humourous jab at the government are not necessarily glorious, but every village in Ireland does its best effort.

Amid the build up I was surprised to learn that the New York City Council Speaker would be attending the Dublin Parade at the invitation of the organisers. Surely, I thought, she’s be at the huge New York Parade? Apparently, she is not welcome to march in the New York Parade however, since she happens to be gay. Huh? You know, Ireland isn’t exactly bursting at the seems with tolerance – we’re still heavily entrenched in a conservative mindset though that has changed drastically over the decades.

Apparently the Ancient Order of Hibernians has banned gay folk from marching in the New York Parade – so what happens? The Irish people in Ireland have to invite a prominent member over to Dublin so she can openly partake in a St. Paddy’s Day parade to rival New York’s. I hope the AOH take this as a firm shot across the Atlantic from the ol’ country – St. Paddy was a saint, not a discriminating bigot. If we Irish can shrug and tell gays and lesbians to take up banners and join the party (why not?), then surely those old fogies over in the AOH can see their way to being a bit more inclusive in the future. Afterall, we’re celebrating the birth of Christianity in Ireland by an infamous nobleman turned cleric who spent his youth enslaved by the very people he returned to teach and convert. Patrick wasn’t discriminatory – he returned to Ireland and made it his job to convert his one time tormentors.

So why should the AOH be free to taint our celebration of the great man himself in such a ludicrous manner? Because they belong to some “Ancient” order? Honestly… Surely these jokers have better things to do than tell everyone who can and cannot take part in a celebration of a great and famous Saint? Really, look at a calenders boyos – it’s the 21st century. Get in line with the genuine Irish people over here on our wee little island with our quant little parades in our picturesque towns where gay people can throw up a banner as is their God given right as Irish people.