IrishBeat.com

Let me start this blog by giving you some history about me; this will hopefully show that my opinion is well rounded and I have truly considered this opinion. I am one of nine children; of which all the males played football and all the girls were cheerleaders. There were a few of us that also played soccer. I love Notre dame and grew up routing for the Cowboys in Redskin country. I like my football!!

With that considered, I can truly say there is no fan more fanatical than those routing for teams of the MLS. I recently attended my first MLS game which took place in a stadium (RFK) very far from both teams home turf (New England and Texas); yet the stadium was packed. Let’s consider the three aspects of the game: Pregame, Game and Postgame activities.

Pregame: I arrived one hour before the game (1000) and was politely informed that I was 3 hours late! The fans of all ages were involved in the normal rituals I had seen at football pregames (trash talking, eating, drinking, etc - the typical tailgating). But in a addition to the norm I saw pick up games of soccer between opposing teams’ fans, I saw multiple groups of fans with instruments ranging from a very large bass drum to a tuba (who brings a tuba to a NFL game?). These groups were instigating the crowd into a roaring, chanting mass of humanity.

Game: This mass of humanity moved itself and ALL of the instruments into RFK and continued the entire game. They did not stop between plays or TV timeouts. They did not stop at halftime or intermissions (sorry for the NHL reference - I needed something there!). THEY DID NOT STOP! Through it all, the chanting and the cheers continued at a deafening level. Even after a smoke bomb was set off in the middle of the crowd, it all continued. They choked, their noses ran and their eyes stung as if in a CS chamber; but they chanted on.

Post Game: Here was the best part! While the chanting continued to keep the beat for well over an hour after the game, it was very much overshadowed by the fact that not just one or two of the players were pressing flesh with the crowd, but the entire team. As well the general manager, the head coach and what seemed to be the entire management group was out mingling and enjoying the victory with the fans. They truly understood this was as much about them (the fans) as it was the organization.

Needless to say, I will be going back for more!

Soon to be MLS fanatic!

Happy Holidays!

Our sincerest wishes and hopes to all of our families, friends and visitors for a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! We appreciate all of your support and prayers. We hope this special season brings you peace, joy and everything you need, and even most of what you want:-) [No good Irishman would wish you everything you want, because that would leave you with nothing left to hope for.]

Regarding the upcoming year…
A lot of exciting changes are occurring throughout the StPatricksDay.com™ family of sites, and this blog serves to highlight just a few. First and foremost, the long awaited release of the new and improved StPatricksDay.com will include:

• The addition of a new shopping section with Irish clothes, music, DVDs, jewlery, books, and more;
• FREE Downloads including OVER 2,000 FREE ONLINE Games and custom MySpace backgrounds;
• A brand new Events Database to help you promote or learn about all the coolest Block Parties, Pub Crawls, Parades, Festivals, and other events going on in your local neighborhood and around the World;
• A completely redesigned user interface to help you better access all your favorite Irish Toasts, Travel deals, Shopping, News Sources, and Social Events;
• AND, MUCH, MUCH MORE.

Also, StPatricksDay.com Official Gear™ is NOW AVAILABLE for purchase online. Read about the legends that inspired our famous custom “Irish Karate©,” “IRISHINYA?©,” “Holy Shamrock©,” “Irish Cougar Hunter©,” and other great t-shirts. Make sure to order one today for yourself, friends, and family.Finally, StPatricksDay.com™ would like to announce its official co-sponsorship of Shamrockfest 2008. This event promises to be the biggest StPatricksDay event in the Washington, DC area, and will include a “Pub Games” festival area located in the StPatricksDay.com Village.

SHAMROCKFEST 2008
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

JUST 80-DAYS AWAY!
THE HOTTEST SPRING FESTIVAL IN AMERICA!

Take advantage of the early-bird pricing! With over 40 bands, DJs & performances this will be the most amazing entertainment lineup in Shamrock history!

For full ShamrockFest details, or to buy tickets click here www.Shamrockfest.com
Check back often as we will be continually announcing acts over the next few weeks.

All of us at StPatricksDay.com extend our sincerest appreciation for your support, and we promise to continue to earn it by bringing you the best in Irish-themed content coming your way in the New Year!

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays,

StPatricksDay.com Team

With the recent announcement that the last of the British troops will be leaving Northern Ireland after nearly a decade without any fatalities, what’s next for Ireland? Do you think we’ll hear calls for reunification? Surely the people of Northern Ireland would like to experience the prosperity and tourism that their southern neighbors do. Do you think a reunited Ireland is possible? Wouldn’t a united Ireland be the ultimate sign of the success of negotiation and peace over irrational behavior and violence?

Can you imagine the map of Ireland like this?