San Patricio.... Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick's Day usually just slips right by me but this year I took notice simply because my grandson, Dylan had his DNA test done and he is about 30% Irish. No big surprise since he looks like a Leprechaun. 

Dylan Micah

Then I read a little-known chapter in US-Mexican history. In a nutshell, there was a group of immigrants, mostly of Irish descent, who fought alongside the Mexican Army during the Mexican-American War. They were called The San Patricio Battalion. This military unit was composed mostly of Catholic Irish immigrants who deserted the U.S. Army to fight alongside Mexico during the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). This really surprised me. Something you would never read in our school history books.

Led by John Riley, they were remembered as heroes who defended Mexico out of religious affinity and due to unfair treatment within the U.S. ranks. The Saint Patrick's Battalion or Batallón de San Patricio consisted of several hundred mostly Irish and other Catholic European Expatriates. The San Patricios participated in many of the bloodiest battles during the American invasion of Mexico.

Composed primarily of Irish immigrants, the battalion also included German, Canadian, Eglish, French, Italian, Polish, Scottish, Spanish, Swiss and Mexican soldiers, who were Catholic. 

Because of this, in Mexico, St. Patrick’s Day symbolizes something very different. There, St. Patrick’s Day is a day to commemorate the San Patricios battalion.

Pop culture tributes include a recent commemorative album by The Chieftains, an Irish folk band: It includes traditional Mexican folkloric music performed with a fusion of Irish and Mexican instrumentation.

The Chieftains featuring Ry Cooder - San Patricio 

 HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

Today we remember Los San Patricios, who stood against injustices during the Mexican American War of 1846-1848.