One of the events that has been sorely missed in Butler and Pittsburgh the past two years has been St. Patrick’s Day.

The Pittsburgh parade returned Saturday, and it was bitter enough to turn a Leprechaun blue.

Most everyone has had the opportunity to become Irish for at least one day so as to justify a taste of green beer, a wee bit of Jameson Irish Whiskey, maybe some corned beef and cabbage, and a chance to celebrate their heritage (real or imaginary) with a ceili.

By the way, it is pronounced “KAY-lee” and it is a musical celebration with sing-a-longs and Irish dancing. The celebrations we experienced in our household with friends hosting the ceili prompted the naming of our daughter, whom was rightfully blessed with a love of music and, especially, singing.

Many locally owned pubs and restaurants have hosted annual St. Patty’s Day celebrations complete with the boisterous singing. Packed houses were prevalent for years at Natili’s as the famed Italian-turned Irishman for the night, Vince Tavolario, led the room in tunes Irish and otherwise. No better times could ever be had. Same could be said for many other places.

As we pass the two-year anniversary of COVID-19 and all the damage that was done by the pandemic and damn politics (how nicely those two words go together) we start to get a little of these special celebrations back. Some will scream “super-spreader,” we suppose, but most will be hollering “slainte,” which is Irish for “cheers.”

We welcome back the traditional ethnic holidays and parties. May slainte, which means “good health,” help to drive away COVID — much as St. Patrick drove away the snakes — and if it happens to work on politicians too, then raise a toast to our good fortune, and may the Irish tradition of kissing any man who claims to be Irish be honored on this St. Patty’s Day.

Our late friend and Irish gentleman, John Garlow, spoke this traditional toast, “May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket for a pint.”

Slainte! Cheers, Butler County.

— RV