Happy Happy Day may the Beer and Wine flow wild and crazy and pain free days.

Mark.

It's sunset on Paddy's Day here in Oz but I'm proud to report I've lowered a couple of kegs of Kilkenny in respect of those who played such a large part in Australia's history.

The majority of our convicts were Irish, then came settlement days and they were out there at the front. The gold rushes wouldn't have been the same without them and they stood brave and true against bad laws in the miners and shearers strikes, against all odds.

Then a very proud record as volunteers in Australia's military forces fighting abroad in both world wars.

They're known throughout every aspect of the bush here, from sheep and cattle to railroads and pubs, and especially the sugar cane, and to this day so much of our traditional music is sung with an Irish lilt.

That's because they were the people who carried the songs from town to town, job to job, camp to camp. Adapted songs from everywhere to suit what was happening there and then and we happily sing those songs to this day.

Join me at the camp fire anytime. You can join in.

St Paddy's Day is probably the world's lousiest excuse to raise a glass of beer, laugh, sing and be friendly for no good reason at all.

Suits me fine, so here's cheers to all,

Brian down under.

My great great great great grandfather was Irish and came to England because of the potato famine. I'm proud of my little bit of Irish history. Happy paddy's day.