by Clare O Hagan

1. Admit that Advertising Agencies are powerless in showing
images of Irish people celebrate St Patrick's Day without a
drink in their hand.

2. Believe that we need a power greater than the Global Drinks
Industry to overcome the stereotypes of Irish people drinking to
excess on St Patrick's Day

3. Come to believe that using innovative ideas we will be able
to celebrate St Patrick's Day without painting our face green,
getting drunk and falling over.

4. Made fearless decision to look at how we have used St
Patrick's Day in the past, as an excuse to buy and sell tacky
merchandise.

5. Admitted to ourselves, and to another human being the exact
nature of how we decided it was a great idea to wear big hats in
the shape of a pint of Guinness on St Patrick's Day

6. Are entirely ready to have a look at why it's not the best
idea to promote damaging racial stereotypes on St Patrick's Day.

7. Ask for help when planning a St Patrick's Day event.
Introduce novel images of the Irish, in addition to the
leprechaun with a pipe.

8. Make a list of all the ways to celebrate a St Patrick's Day
our children will remember fondly in the future.

9. Make direct amends for the bad taste you exhibited on past St
Patrick's Day by declining gifts of Irish Whiskey socks.

10. Continue to take personal inventory of your St Patrick's Day
wardrobe. Style hint - synthetic materials are suspect.

11. Lead by example in improving the image of St Patrick's Day
through conscious effort, starting this year.

12. Awaken to the joys of St Patrick's Day, and enjoy it with
gusto and good grace.

Wishing you all a very Happy St Patrick's Day on 17th March.

©2006 Clare O Hagan

About the author:
Clare O Hagan is the co-owner of O Hagans Irish Store. With
fellow artist Denise Wyllie, they design, produce and sell, fun
funky goods with an Irish twist.
http://www.wyllieohagan.com

On a more serious note, the artists are affiliated to leading
Women's Health Institutions internationally.
http://www.wyllieohagan.com