An Irish Mystery Party: A Host’s Guide
Even if you don’t have any Irish DNA, you can still become a little green on March 17th just for the fun of it. And you don’t have to kiss any Blarney Stones or find any four leaf clovers, you can just play our “Luck Of The Irish” mystery party game in order to bring out your inner Irish.
This game is full of Irish characters both real and mythical – like the harmless leprechaun Hendo Barrett or the Irish lass Tara Fitzgerald who knits sweaters.
In this mystery, the King of the Leprechauns Robbie Gilroy has had his pot of gold stolen. Who was the devious thief? Was it one of the little people or one of the local Irish lads or lasses? Or was it Laoghaire – the High King? Saint Patrick himself is here to investigate.
You can play this game with as few as ten people or up to 50. You can use the standard format for a small party or the play format if you want more flexibility. Or you can use the “meet and mingle” format for a large party.
To make your place look like old-world Ireland, scatter some green cushions and decorations and make• cut-outs of four-leafed clovers to serve as placemats.
As people are arriving, play some Irish music like the Dubliners or The Chieftains.
Serve foods you would find in Ireland such as Steak and Guinness Pie, Irish Whiskey Cake or Bread and Butter Pudding and Irish Soda Bread.
Why do people celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?
Saint Patrick was born in England. He was taken as a slave to Ireland as a youth. He received his calling from God while he was in Ireland. He escaped from slavery, returned to England and became a priest. He returned to Ireland and then spent over thirty years there converting people to Christianity.
He gained the attention of the Irish King Laoghaire by lighting a fire on the Hill of Slane just as the King was about to light a fire for a pagan bonfire. This fulfilled a prophecy that the keeper of a rival flame would eclipse their power forever.
Saint Patrick explained the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost – the Holy Trinity – to King Laoghaire using a three-leaved plant (possibly a clover leaf) and gained his support.
In Ireland there are places that are considered healing because Saint Patrick spent time there. For example, the wells in Struell where Saint Patrick used to bathe are said to be therapeutic.
A “Leprechaun” is a little sprite or goblin in Irish folklore. Sometimes ordinary Irishmen and women are also called leprechauns. A sprite is an elf, fairy or goblin. A goblin is a grotesque, mischievous sprite or elf.
A “Shamrock” is a plant with three leaves believed to have been used by Saint Patrick to symbolise the Holy Trinity. Most people think it was white clover, but it could have been wood sorrel or lesser yellow trefoil.
A “Blarney Stone” is a stone in Blarney Castle near Cork in Ireland said to give anyone who kisses it skills in flattering others.
So get those green clothes out of the wardrobe or if you don’t have any, buy some either new or used ones. And order The Luck Of The Irish and ask your friends which character they want to play.
