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The Magic of Words on St. Patrick’s Day

By March 17, 2025Language, Literary Events, News

St. Patrick’s Day is a time of folklore, storytelling, and lyrical magic—a celebration not just of Ireland but of the words and wisdom that have shaped its literary soul. From the ancient legends of the Fianna to the poetry of W.B. Yeats and the wit of Oscar Wilde, Irish literature has always been steeped in rhythm, humour, and an unshakable sense of wonder.

Ireland’s storytelling tradition is as rich as its rolling green hills. Long before the written word, seanchaí (traditional storytellers) carried history, myth, and mischief from village to village, keeping the past alive through spoken word. Their tales of faeries, heroes, and cunning tricksters still echo in modern literature, reminding us that words have the power to enchant and endure.

On St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrate more than shamrocks and parades—we honour the gift of storytelling, the melody of language, and the magic of a well-told tale. Whether you lose yourself in a classic Irish novel, recite a Yeats poem, or share a funny limerick over a pint, today is a day to revel in words that bring us together.

So, may the luck of the Irish be with you, may your bookshelf be ever full, and may you always find a story that feels like home. Sláinte!

Word of the Day – Moschate

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Word of the Day - Moschate (adj) mos-kayt

Granny Gruffalo revealed as title for third in the series

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Julia Donaldson has revealed the title of the third book in the much-loved Gruffalo series; publishing later this year is Gruffalo Granny. Written by Julia Donaldson in collaboration with illustrator…

Word of the Day – Mephitic

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Word of the Day - Mephitic (adj)

Word of the Day – Pyroclastic

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Word of the Day - Pyroclastic (adj) piy-ro-klas-tik

Ian McKellen performs 400-year-old pro-immigrant Shakespeare monologue in protest of ICE

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British actor, Sir Ian McKellen, known for his roles in countless Shakespeare productions (among many other plays, TV and film work), performed a 400-year-old pro-immigrant monologue, from William Shakespeare, in…

Word of the Day – Mantic

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Word of the Day - Mantic (adj) man-tik

Word of the Day – Lateral

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Word of the Day - Lateral (adj) lat-uh-rel

Word of the Day – Abbiocco

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Word of the Day - Abbiocco (noun) ah-bee-oh-ko

Word of the Day – Rickety

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Word of the Day - Rickety (adj) rik-i-tee