Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 

As you know, this holiday has many different meanings and purposes. For some people,

St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of their Irish heritage. For others, it is primarily a religious

holiday. (It’s named, after all, for a legendary religious figure.) More recently, it has become

a celebration of Irish culture in general.

 

But we think St. Patrick’s Day can also serve as a source of inspiration, regardless of religion or

whether we have a drop of Irish blood in our veins. For proof of that, consider the famous

phrase, “The Luck of the Irish.”

 

Today, this saying essentially means to celebrate one’s good fortune. It implies that those of

Irish descent naturally have the skill, wits, and will to be lucky. But it didn’t start out that way.

According to historians, the origins of this saying — at least in the United States — are actually

rooted in prejudice rather than positive folklore.

 

It started in the 19th century, when over two million Irish people emigrated to the United States

between 1845 and 1855 alone. 1 Fleeing famine in the Emerald Isle, most did not find a warm

welcome waiting for them when they arrived in America. Many were treated with suspicion and

had to overcome regular stereotyping, harassment, and even violence.

 

Around this same time, the California Gold Rush began, prompting thousands of Americans —

including Irish Americans — to head west in search of quick riches and a better life. Although

most had no prior mining experience, what these Irish pioneers did have was an outstanding

work ethic no matter how hard the labor. Due to this, many Irish immigrants found more success digging and panning for gold than the average prospector, causing others to fume and blush with envy and embarrassment. To save face, non-Irish miners often attributed their success to simple dumb luck rather than skill, resilience, or effort.

“During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century,

a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish

American birth... Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes

led to the expression ‘luck of the Irish.’ “Of course, it carried with it a certain

tone of derision, as if to say, only by sheer luck, as opposed to brains,

could these fools succeed.”2

 

The “luck of the Irish,” then, was originally a derogatory term. Just another negative stereotype

Irish people had to overcome. Even so, they persevered. They remained resilient and proud of what they had accomplished. Because, unknown to those who belittled them, they had their own saying. One that does a far better job of explaining their success than simple luck.

 

“Imíonn an tuirse ach fanann an tairbhe.”

 

In English, roughly translated, it means:

 

“The fatigue leaves…but the benefit remains.”

 

This Irish seanfhocal, or proverb, is an old saying about the value of hard work. Traditionally, it

also refers to the importance of working with family and friends instead of alone. It’s about

tightening your belt in times of need and helping others in your community regardless of the

circumstance. So, what may look like mere luck to some is actually the result of endless

perseverance, determination, and cooperation.

 

This is why St. Patrick’s Day, with all its celebration of Irish culture, is actually an inspiring

holiday. It’s a day that celebrates overcoming adversity to accomplish incredible things.

As a financial advisors, this especially resonates with us, because our entire career is based

around helping people overcome obstacles to achieve their goals, no matter how lofty or

difficult. Of course, most would agree that luck and finances don’t mix, which is why we focus

so much on helping people plan for the future they want rather than merely hope for it. But after learning what “the luck of the Irish” really means, it brings to our mind an even older saying:

 

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

 

It takes a lot of hard work to reach our goals in life. There are challenges to face and adversity to overcome. Sometimes, others may doubt us, or even actively work to stand in our way. There will be times when we feel exhausted and unsure; times when we wonder if it’s worth it. Yet when we plan and prepare, and when we couple those plans with perseverance…the fatigue will eventually leave.

But the benefits will remain.

Similarly, it took a lot of hard work, by millions of people, to make St. Patrick’s Day a holiday

that everyone can celebrate and enjoy. To make St. Patrick’s Day an opportunity for us to reflect on how if we work hard, if we persevere, if we are resilient…

Then we can have “the luck of the Irish” too.

 

From everyone on our team, have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!

 

Sincerely,

 

The Omell Financial Group

 

 

 

1 “Irish Amigration to America,” Museum, https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Folklife-Collections/Folklife-Collections-List-

(1)/Other/Emigration/Irish-Emigration-to-America

2 O’Donnell, Edward T. 1001 Things Everyone Should Know about Irish American History. Gramercy Books, 2006.

From the Bill Good Letters Library

Sourced from Bill Good Letter’s Library

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