Wearin' of the green

St. Patrick's Day, the feast day of Ireland's patron saint, is celebrated in many places around the globe where Irish people emigrated.

Millions of people around the world claim Irish ancestry and, as the saying goes, many people become Irish in spirit on March 17.

Several Irish officials travel abroad for St. Patrick's Day to represent the Emerald Isle at green-tinted celebrations. At the White House in Washington today, Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen is meeting President Barack Obama, who himself has some Irish ancestry, as well as Vice President Joe Biden, who takes pride in his Irish heritage.

Ireland's President Mary McAleese will stay home in Dublin to review the city's parade — one of more than 100 across the island. Marching bands from several other countries, including the United States, participate in the Dublin parade, AFP news agency notes.

Besides America, Irish officials will visit Canada, Italy, Germany, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia and Dubai — 46 countries in all, according to reports — to recommend trade, tourism and investment in the Emerald Isle.

It used to be said that Ireland's greatest export was its people. That has now worked in Ireland's favor. As President McAleese said: "Thanks to our global family the link with Ireland has been kept alive over generations and our culture introduced to countless millions throughout the world."

St. Patrick himself was a traveler: born in Britain about 387 A.D., kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland as a young man, escaped, studied for the priesthood and later returned as a missionary to teach Christianity to the Irish in the 5th century.

Today is dedicated to Patrick and celebrated by all who have a special feeling for the good saint and the land and people he loved so well.