Patriot Realm

St. Patrick’s Day might be an Irish tradition, but in the heart of the Australian Outback, it takes on a character all its own. Under the sun, far from the green fields of Ireland, bush pubs overflow with laughter, cold beer, and a good dose of Aussie-Irish banter. From dusty cattle stations to tiny country towns, the day is marked with spirited celebrations that blend Irish heritage with classic Outback grit - think Guinness poured beside Bundy rum, green clovers pinned to Akubras, and the sound of a fiddle competing with a distant dingo’s howl.

One of our regular sojourns was to the St. Patrick’s Day races at Broken Hill. It was traditionally held over a long weekend to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day and, like the Birdsville races, attracted a big crowd from all over the Outback and beyond.

This is my story of our trip to celebrate St Patricks Day in the Australian bush. 

On the 13th of March each year, we mark World K9 Day. The day that the world is supposed to celebrate the gift of loyalty and dedication that our four-legged friends have given to our Military men and women.  Our canine friends have fought beside us and stood beside us and comforted us in times of trouble and we are increasingly, as a species, forgetting their dedication and love and consigning them into the same bin that we place our unborn children. 

We are reading more and more stories of heartbroken and dispirited Veterans who are taking their own lives. 

It saddens me that this Worldwide day of tribute often passes without a mention on mainstream media. Let us ensure that does not happen this year.

Why are we always putting green energy assets in all the wrong places?

The main electricity demand comes from big cities and their industries, so the electricity generators should be nearby, thus reducing capital costs and transmission losses, and supporting local jobs.

Why put wind turbines, access roads and power lines in rural and remote areas where there is little demand for electricity, where neighbours hate them, and where they destroy forests, wipe out resident eagles and start bush fires? And of course it is foolish to locate wind turbines anywhere along the cyclone coasts of Queensland, Northern Territory or the Kimberley coast in Western Australia.

What is the luck of the Irish?  Many people think it is a good thing to have. I asked one of our commenters ( Paddy ) what it meant and he said to me " Well, my old Gran used to say that if it was raining soup, we'd be carrying forks. "

Imagine a world where the forecast predicts a downpour of steaming soup instead of rain. While most people would be scrambling for umbrellas or ducking for cover, the Irish would be out in the streets, forks in hand, grinning like they've just discovered a new national pastime.But joking aside... 

The Irish have been renowned for their gift of seeing the funny side of life during times of adversity. They have borne the brunt of many a joke at their expense and seem to take it in their stride. Something that gays, lesbians, transgenders and left wing activists have not been able to do. 

In fact, being offended is almost a badge of courage these days. It is the catch cry of so many and the art form of being offended has been crafted into a political statement. 

The Irish have long been celebrated for their uncanny ability to turn life’s hardships into laughter. Centuries of navigating adversity,  from historical struggles to everyday challenges - have given rise to a rich tradition of witty storytelling and self-deprecating humour. This knack for finding levity in the darkest of times isn't just a coping mechanism; it's woven into the fabric of Irish identity, celebrated in literature, music, and even casual conversation. In essence, the Irish approach to adversity is a masterclass in resilience, proving that sometimes the best way to face a storm is to dance in the rain, with a joke and a smile.

So what has happened?