Decorations abound!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! What are the Irish most noted for? Their mouth-watering food, their poets and authors, music and dancing? Their folklore?
I just met a fine Irish terrier named Red.
Their Amish community? Huh?
Last week, when I told a friend I was posting a blog on Saint Paddy’s Day, she asked about the Amish living in Ireland. I told her there weren’t any. But the idea niggled in my head.
I scanned Google, but knew not to accept what I stumbled upon as reliable. So I contacted noted professor and author, Donald B. Kraybill, the ultimate authority on Amish. He affirmed my statement. “There are NO Amish in Ireland,” he wrote. “We define Amish as horse and buggy driving. It’s possible that there are some Beachy Amish in Ireland. They are plain dressing, car driving folks who left the Amish in the early 20th century. But for many reasons are not Amish.”
According to one article I read, The Dunmore East congregation is part of the Beachy Amish Mennonite faction, which emerged in 1927 and is known for being more worldly than other Amish groups. Old Order Amish avoid most modern technology such as electricity and the Internet, but these Beachy Amish (what they call themselves) drive cars, live in modest contemporary homes and use phones. The church owns its own Website! In the photo of their church —Old Order Amish don’t worship in churches— it is surrounded by automobiles. Contradictions abound. But I don’t want to bore you to tears when you could be cooking Irish stew!
Mouth-watering Irish Stew!
Why do you think the Irish are steeped in myths and folklore? What’s so special about clovers? Are you wearing green today so don’t get pinched? What’s your favorite Irish dish? Do you ever cook it at home?
Do you decorate for Saint Patrick’s Day?
Leave a comment and enter to win these two Amish-potholders from Lancaster County, PA, and one signed book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. USA & Canada only. Winner has 3 days to respond.
Two Amish-made Potholders sewn in Lancaster County.
I’d say Amish are mostly German, but, you never know! Love the potholders!
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Gloria! Good luck!
I didn’t really think there were Irish Amish or Amish Irish but thought perhaps one or two may have converted along the way. I have Irish ancestors but my family didn’t celebrate as I was growing up. My husband and I used to have corned beef, cabbage and mac-n-cheese but my husband travels a lot and is never home so that tradition has gone away. I do decorate a table in the entry way with a Precious Moments Irish girl with green and gold shamrocks. Looks cute. Always love your posts and contests. Thanks for the info and opportunity to win…Linda
Your decorated table sounds lovely, Linda! Thanks for your kind words about my posts and contests. Glad you stopped by to enter. Good luck!
Happy St. Paddys Day! Would love to win these! My Dad was a Rooster collector, this would be awesome to win!
Thank you Kate Lloyd for the chance to win a great giveaway!
Thanks, Linda, for entering the giveaway! Good luck! I’d love it if you won. I hope you had a fun St. Paddy’s Day … and every day.
Happy St. Patricks Day. I am definately part Irish. Love to win the pot holders and book
Hope you enjoyed St. Patricks Day, Karen! Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
I am definitely part Irish! My great great grandfather was a Collins. Happy St Patty’s Day, Kate!
Thanks for writing, Anne! As you are definitely part Irish, I bet you enjoyed St Patty’s Day! Good luck in the giveaway!
There may not be any Amish in Ireland, but there are probably people who live just a simple life. The next time I go to Amish Country, I would like to spend some time with a family.
You could be right, Joyce! But the Old Order Amish would not consider worshipping in a church, driving cars and using computers living a simple life. It would be fun to spend time with an Amish family in this country. I’m very grateful for my Amish friends. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Not really celebrating this year…but most years I try to at least provide corned beef and cabbage.
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest even if you’re not celebrating, Cynthia! May this day be a special one for you! Good luck in the giveaway!
Thank you for this wonderful chance to win.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Myrtle! Good luck!
My husband is part Irish. I am in love with the Amish culture and simplicity of life. So best of both worlds!!
How wonderful that you live in the best of both worlds, Alaina! Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
I would have thought there were some Amish in Ireland! Now I know.
Hi, Kathy! I have it on strong authority that although they call themselves Amish, they are not. But fun to think about, for sure. Good luck n the giveaway!
Although I put a green hair bow on my daughter and we have Irish ansesters, we don’t celebrate St Patrick’s Day. My hubby’s family is very proud of their heritage to the point of being obnoxious about St Patrick’s Day. However, never once have they mentioned the true story of St Patrick. Today my daughter and I talked about the British boy, Patrick, who was kidnapped by the Irish and sold into slavery. Perhaps that’s our tradition; telling the true story.
Isn’t the true story of the real St. Patrick an eye-opener, Jennifer? He was indeed a British boy, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Thanks so much for writing and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Irish Amish, yes ma’am. Although it sounds strange but there is that community near Dunmore. I would love to know if they wear much green. Thanks Kate.
Thanks for writing, Kathy! If you get on the Dunmore Church’s Web-address given above you can immediately see they are not Old Order Amish. Plus, I had a world-renown expert back me up. I even bounced it off an Old Order Amish friend, a spritely elderly woman, and she confirmed what I’d gleaned. Good luck in the giveaway!
I am from a long line of Irish but I also love anything Amish ,I read the books about Amish all the time actually it is all I read and I am making a Amish quilt now .
Wish I could see your Amish quilt, Debi! I admire quilters so much. And I like your reading material! Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
I don’t think there are Irish Amish; I know there are Irish Catholics! Would love to win one of your books and hot pads are always a need.
I’d love you to read one of my books, Sharon! Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
My grandfather was Irish & my grandmother was Ohio Mennonite. Like black & white & IChing they were different personalities. His nickname was Shorty. She was almost 6 ft tall but he could go out the door & slam the screen & she would tremble in her boots.
They were very much in love, however & lived until their eighties. He died first & she followed 24 hours later; never knowing that he had already passed on. Thanks to them I have fabulous memories!
Thanks for sharing your marvelous memories, Wanda! I really enjoyed reading your delightful recollections. Good luck in the Giveaway!
I honestly didn’t know if there were any amish in Ireland or not but interesting to know. Would love to win! Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Tiffany! I’d love it if you won too. Good luck!
I have relatives in Ireland and have visited there twice. I loved it and look forward to going back. Amish in Ireland? I don’t think so but there may be some Irish Amish here in the States. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!
I hope you enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day, Maria, and that you may visit your Irish relatives again soon! What fun. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Very pretty! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Thanks, Donna! I hope you had a fun St. Patrick’s Day! Good luck in the Giveaway!
I find the Amish very interesting. I am not sure if there are any Irish Amish people, but God loves each and everyone of us, even the Amish the same way. The giveaway is nice and the pot holders are very pretty. Happy St. Patrick’s day to you.
Thanks for writing, Andrea! Hope you had a great St. Patrick’s Day. Good luck in the Giveaway!
I love reading all kinds of Amish books. Please enter me in your giveaway. The only thing better than reading about the Amish is visiting with them. I have made a few good friends in Ohio and I so enjoy going to see them.
I agree with you, Kathy! The only thing better than reading about the Amish is visiting with them. How marvelous that you’ve made friends in Ohio. Good luck in the Giveaway!
Thanks for the opportunity to win such cute pot holders! I love Amish fiction and have been intrigued with the Amish culture for many years. I live on the west coast, but have had the opportunity to visit Lancaster County, PA a couple of times in the past. I sure hope to get back there again – or to be able to visit other Amish areas in Ohio and other states. I’ll have to look for your books at the bookstore as I’ve not read any of yours and would love to! Thanks again for the great give away!
Since you haven’t read any of my books, I hope you get the opportunity soon, Nancy! That would make my day. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest. Good luck!
I love these pot holders and would love to have another book of yours!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Brenda! Good luck!
Hi Kate. I’m wondering if some of the Amish moved to England from Wells and Ireland ? I know most of them migrated to America during the great potato famine. According to my maiden name, Lloyd, it was first found in Wells and Ireland. then some finally migrated to England, not sure what the reason was. The main reason for them migrating to America was freedom of Religion. They believed like the Baptist that Baptism should come after one was old enough to know why they were being baptized. The Catholics persecuted then because they wouldn’t baptize them as babies. Makes me wonder. Happy St. Patrick’s day Kate. Would love to win. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
I wonder whoever started the pinching if you don't have green on. My daughter forgot to wear it to work so stuck a green paper clip on her clothes. I thought that was funny. Bet others did too.
Happy St. Patricks Day. Don't know who started the pinching when not wearing green, but that's the reason lots of people wear green.
Hi Maxie! I am not aware of any Amish migrating from Europe to Great Britain to escape persecution. Hey, Lloyd is one of my favorite names! We’re distantly related on my husband’s side of the family. I told him yesterday that I didn’t bother to wear green because I knew he pinch me anyway. LOL. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kiss me I’m Irish. Lol. Happy St.Pat’s Day Kate!
Thanks for writing, Barb! I hope you had a fun filled St. Pat’s Day! Good luck in the giveaway!
Love your books Kate. Love to win. Stew looks great. Loved your blog about no Amish Irish.
Thank you so very much, Alisa! I’m glad you enjoy my books and the blog. Good luck in the giveaway!
I am not really celebrating this year, since the holiday falls on a weekday and the company that I work for requires a dress code of khaki and navy.
Thanks for writing, Karen! Khaki and Navy sound nice together and there is no requirement to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I had a long conversation with an old order Amish woman yesterday and forgot to ask her what the Amish think of St. Patrick’s Day. I am wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
I wore green at work and my husband and I had reubens for supper…thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds as though your husband and you had a delightful day and dinner, Rita! Yummy, those Rubens must have been good. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
I dont think there is Irish Amish.and i would love to win theses pot holders and be honored to read one of your books
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment, Shirley! Oh, dear, if you haven’t read one of my Amish novels I hope you get a chance to soon, maybe by winning this giveaway. Good luck!
Hi again Kate. I had to go to the eye doctor yesterday and yes I wore my green. Almost all of my moms family is from Germany and my dads from England. I have a niece ,who while in college, met an exchange student from Ireland. They have been married a few years now. They spent a year in Ireland and she loves in there. Only problem is she misses her family here so they are now living here in Kentucky.
I love the view I see from the window on your pictures. I would love to win the adorable pot holders and one of your books. Keep up the good work with your writings…..I enjoy reading Amish
I have read a lot of your books and love them . Mostly all my reading is about Amish , i was just so intrested in reading all the different book , just love them . Plus they are all so gifted and can make almost everything from cooking to carpentry . Keep up the great job in all your writings .
Thanks so much, Isabella! I’m delighted to hear you’ve enjoyed my books. I love reading about the Amish too and am fortunate to have Amish friends I can call for advice, as I did just a couple minutes ago. Good luck in the giveaway!
Thanks for your encouragement, Judy! I wish I could look out the window every day and see that view. How lovely that your knees moved closer to home. Good luck in the giveaway!
I do not believe there are Irish Amish .I love the Amish reading Amish books and those Amish pot holders .
You and I are in agreement about the non-Irish Amish, Sharon! And about reading Amish books. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Would love to win this contest. I have a dear friend I would love to share this with.
She loves and reads only Amish books. Thanks for this great contest
You are such a dear, Juanita! I imagine you have many dear friends. Good luck in the giveaway!
Love your books, Kate. And love that you also live in the NW! I have purchased so many Amish books….that is all I read anymore, but still need the PA. Patchwork! Love Amish/Mennonite quilts…and LOVED Ireland. (Did not see any Amish there though!) When we visited Ireland about 16 years ago, we were fortunate enough to find the summer home, outside of Dublin in a small town of Dalkey, where my husband’s grandmother had grown up. His great grandfather was a Dr. in Dublin. The new owners, of the family home, invited us in, and also showed us around the property. I loved walking the streets of Dublin, & Dalkey, and visiting with the friendly residents. It is a delightful country!
Keep up the great writing …..really enjoy your style. and would love to win anything AMISH! Thanks and Blessings to you.
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, C. J.! Your trip to Ireland and experiences there sound marvelous. Good luck in the giveaway!
From reading this blog and also your comments on the post on Facebook, I guess there are no Irish Amish. I’m wondering if there are Amish settlements in the U.S. in places other than the Northeast. I’m just learning about the Amish and find them very interesting. Love the potholders!
Thanks for writing, Linda! Amish live in 30 states and Ontario in Canada. About two-thirds live in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. Many live in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Iowa, New York … from Maine to Florida. Good luck in the giveaway!
Here’s a good Website: http://www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/Population_by_State_2014.asp
Really interesting to learn there are no Amish in Ireland, and also a blessing in disguise, to have the possibility to win these great potholders at the same time! Thanks so much for the opportunity and may the “Luck of the Irish” be with you all!!!
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Frances! Good luck!