Drink of the Irish

	Toast to St. Patrick

"Cream as rich as an Irish brogue, coffee as strong as a friendly hand, sugar as sweet as the tongue of a rogue, and whiskey as smooth as the wit of the land.''

No, it's not a James Joyce quote, but a popular saying about one of the most Irish of drinks.

This St. Patrick's Day, be it the juice of the barley (beer), grog (water and rum) or the rare old mountain dew (Irish whiskey), true Irishmen and women -- and those who wish they were -- will imbibe in homage to Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

Patrick was the famed fifth-century priest and missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland and allegedly banished all the snakes from the country.

But if you really want to know why Irish eyes are smiling, you and your good company are advised to take part in one of Ireland's most exalted drinks. According to Irish actor and musician Alex Levine, "Only Irish coffee provides, in a single glass, all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat."

The Legend of Limerick

The Irish are so serious about their liquored coffee that for the past 20 years the town of Foynes has held an annual World Irish Coffee Making Championship and Festival in County Limerick. The celebration includes participants from the world's best hotels, restaurants and bars and actress Maureen O'Hara as the special guest.

Irish coffee was invented in Shannon Airport (formerly Foynes Airport) in 1942 by airport chef Joe Sheridan. As the legend goes, when a flight was grounded due to bad weather, Sheridan thought a dash of something strong would cheer the cold and miserable passengers. So he added a drop (or two) of Irish whiskey to their coffee. ...