| Dia dhuit, hello! | | | | qualifications? "Any girl of Irish ancestry, never |
| "The road from Chicago to Ireland is marked in | | | | married, 17-28 years old." Take a look at last |
| green," they say, and the annual dying of the | | | | year's beautiful red-haired winner, Jaime Dineen, |
| Chicago River emerald green is described as "right | | | | robed in emerald green satin and her court - |
| up there with the parting of the sea by Moses | | | | Mary, Colleen, Megan and Bridget. |
| and the Pyramids of Egypt." Well, what's a little | | | | And what can you do while in Chicago? In a town |
| blarney, it's St. Patrick's Day. | | | | full of architecture, museums, culture, art, fun, |
| And how is this different from the normal murky | | | | shopping, theater and the home of urban blues, |
| green of the River? "The difference," the official | | | | it's just a matter of walking out the hotel door. |
| Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade website says, "is | | | | Chicago also has a long history of great food - |
| both significant and breathtaking." (Where is that | | | | remember the cattle were sent up to the |
| stone when we need it most?) | | | | Chicago Stockyards for fattening? A small point, |
| Stephen M. Bailey, the man who dyed the River | | | | but not if you're a bread-lover - rolls in Chicago |
| green the first time, said, "with characteristic Irish | | | | are sublime, crisp on the outside, yielding to a soft |
| exaggeration, 'The Chicago River will dye the | | | | and chewy interior. Move over France. Eat in a |
| Illinois, which will dye the Mississippi, which will dye | | | | "Grill" if you can; it's a special ambiance. |
| the Gulf of Mexico, which will send green dye up | | | | Chicago has an excellent and affordable public |
| the gulf stream across the North Atlantic into the | | | | transportation system (bus, cab and elevated |
| Irish Sea, a sea of green surrounding the land will | | | | train, "el") that will carry you wherever you want |
| appear as a greeting to all Irishmen of the | | | | to go. |
| Emerald Isle from the men of Erin in Chicagoland, | | | | Here are some of my favorites. Do consider |
| USA.'" Malarkey! | | | | staying over through Tuesday, as most museums |
| This is my hometown we're talking about, the | | | | in Chicago are FREE on this day. |
| Windy City, and where better to celebrate St. | | | | CHICAGO MUSEUM OF ART |
| Patrick's Day? On this side of the Big Pond at any | | | | This is a must. Housed in a Classical Renaissance |
| rate. | | | | building with the famous lions out front, you'll see |
| The legendary Richard J. Daley took part in the | | | | some of your favorites, and you'll recognize |
| first St. Patrick's Day Parade formed on Chicago's | | | | Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon," from that great |
| West Side in the 50s, before he became mayor. | | | | scene in "Ferris Buehler." Like Hopper? There are |
| Here's a photo of the Shannon Rovers Fife and | | | | some great ones there. Maybe the lions will be |
| Drum Corps (Irish Pipe Band) stepping off the | | | | wearing green. At Christmas time they have |
| parade since 1956: (For photo, go here: ) | | | | wreaths around their necks. |
| Irish and Catholic is the heritage of the City, not | | | | THE FIELD MUSEUM |
| the only one in this melting pot city, but a strong | | | | A premier natural history museum now featuring |
| one. My father, Ray Garrett (a good Irish name) | | | | "Live Over Time" exhibit with "Sue," the largest |
| loved his hometown, knew its history well, and | | | | and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever |
| was always telling me tales. Every single time we | | | | discovered. |
| rounded one curve on the road into Chicago from | | | | THE SEARS TOWER |
| the suburbs he would say, "This is evidence of | | | | North America's tallest building where you'll get a |
| the power of the Catholic Church in this town." | | | | panoramic view of the city and Lake Michigan |
| The whole highway had been swung around to | | | | CHICAGO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY |
| allow a Catholic Church to remain standing. This | | | | Using interactive displays back in the 50s, this |
| may be the subject of Eleen Skerrett's book, "At | | | | museum is full of things that clank and buzz and |
| the Crossroads: Old Saint Patrick's and the | | | | whirr, offering something for all ages. It's billed as |
| Chicago Irish." | | | | the largest science museum in one building in the |
| "Influential" others would say about the Irish in | | | | Western Hemisphere. |
| Chicago, and strong in number. The Irish were one | | | | The list goes on, including LINCOLN PARK ZOO still |
| of the largest groups of immigrants to the US | | | | free after all these years, the SHEDD |
| and were always a large and influential group in | | | | AQUARIUM, THE MIRACLE MILE (shopping), the |
| Chicago, especially politically. According to Eastern | | | | original MARSHALL FIELD'S and more. |
| Illinois University ( ) included: | | | | THE NORTH SHORE |
| ·1836, the Illinois and Michigan Canal opened, | | | | I would suggest you rent a car and head up Lake |
| linking Lake Michigan and the Illinois and Mississippi | | | | Shore Drive to look at the beautiful suburbs and |
| Rivers. Much of the labor was done by the Irish. | | | | lake views, including many parks - Evanston, |
| ·In 1893, John P. Hopkins became Chicago's | | | | Wilmette, Winnetka. They move rapidly along the |
| first Irish Catholic major. | | | | Drive and contain some of the most beautiful |
| ·In 1900, Charles Comiskey, son of an Irish | | | | homes in the US, as well as a few Frank Lloyd |
| immigrant, founded the Chicago White Sox. | | | | Wright structures. Along the drive you'll see |
| ·In 1955, Richard J. Daley was elected mayor | | | | Northwestern University, and the world famous |
| and stayed in office until his death, December | | | | Ba 'hai Temple, known locally as "the lace building." |
| 1976. | | | | For photo go here: . |
| And what about the wearing of the green? The | | | | In Wilmette, stop at the Pancake House. This is |
| three leaf clover or seamóg became a | | | | not IHOP. Official name, Walker Bros. Original |
| symbol of Ireland and was worn by the Irish | | | | Pancake House, 153 Green Bay Rd., 847-251-6000 |
| regiments of the Queen's Army. According to the | | | | , map is here: . |
| official Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade site, | | | | How to prepare? |
| "when it became an emblem of rebellion in the | | | | ·Put "The Secret of Roan Inish" in the DVD ( |
| 19th century, Queen Victoria outlawed wearing it - | | | | ) |
| the wearing of the green - and made it punishable | | | | ·Start listening to "The Danny Boy Collection" |
| by death by hanging. | | | | ) by yes, the great Irish tenor, John McDermott |
| Fittingly sponsored by Chicago Journeyman | | | | ·Take a quick read of "Boss: Richard J. Daley |
| Plumbers Local Union 130 U. A., (which raises funds | | | | of Chicago," by Mike Royka (secondhand on for |
| by holding their annual corned beef and cabbage | | | | pennies) |
| dinner in January at Plumber's Hall, and $55 per | | | | . Put "Chicago+Mrs.+O'Leary+cow+fire" in a |
| person at that), this year's parade will be held | | | | search engine |
| Saturday, March 13th at noon on Columbus Drive. | | | | ·And head on up to Lake Michigan. |
| Meanwhile, a citywide search is on for "Chicago's | | | | Go raibh maith 'ad and slán agat. (Thank you |
| fairest Colleen". This bonny lass will lead the | | | | and Goodbye). |
| parade riding an authentic Irish Side Car. The | | | | |