Furthermore if you are not Irish-American don't interfere. I don't go telling Italians or Jews or B'Hais what to do with their celebrations or what songs to sing or when to celebrate what and that the theological ramifications of it all are. And I do not care furthermore to hear how they celebrate or commemerate in Ireland. It is an Irish-American holiday that moved back to Ireland mixed in with holier celebrations there. And this was a special dispensation given to the Irish by some pope back somewhere to bless them for keeping the faith. Why not in Holy Week? Who was holier than your Irish great-grandfather? Or at least as holy.... mg