The right way to celebrate

St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a day to drink and wear green, it’s a celebration of Irish culture. This (part) Irish-American reporter has a few suggestions on some ways to celebrate auld Eire.

• Belfast Breakfast Boxty is a favorite breakfast in Northern Ireland. The potato pancakes are tasty fried up in the skillet and generally served with bacon and eggs.

Boxty is so popular it even has its own song:

Boxty on the griddle/ Boxty in the pan/ If you can’t make boxty/ You’ll never get a man.

Made with finely ground potato, mashed potato and onions, boxty should provide a nice alternative to your regular bowl of Lucky Charms.

• Irish Music No matter what your taste, Ireland has probably got an artist for you.

Folk fans will likely remember the drinking tunes and rebel songs of The Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners.

Ireland has contributed rock giants U2 to the modern music scene, as well as the popular alternative band My Bloody Valentine.

Northern Ireland’s Van Morrison gave the world “Brown-Eyed Girl” and “Gloria” while Stiff Little Fingers and The Pogues put a Celtic twist on punk.

• Celtic Silver Screen The Irish are the subjects of many films. Hollywood has done its share of movies about Ireland, and the Irish film industry is now producing films in its own right.

Here are a few Irish or Irish-themed movies to get you into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit.

“The Quiet Man” (1952) stars John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Set in Dublin, it tells the story of a disgraced American boxer and the lass he falls in love with.

“Darby O’Gill and The Little People” (1959) is a Disney take on the Irish legends of leprechauns, great for the whole family.

“Waking Ned Devine,” (1998) is the story of a group of Irish village folk who try to claim the winnings of a man who died of shock upon learning he had won the lottery.

“Boondock Saints” (1999) is about two Irish brothers who set out to purge Boston of evil-doers. This cult-classic isn’t for the kids.

“Breakfast on Pluto” (2005) tells the story of young transsexual played by Cillian Murphy torn between the glam-rock world of the ’70s and the realities of living in Dublin during the troubles.

• Raise a Pint St. Patrick’s Day in the United States is one heck of an excuse to drink, but a true Irishman would be aghast at drinking green beer.

Guinness is the beer most strongly associated with Ireland. The brewery is in the heart of Dublin and the distinctive black stout is one of the Emerald Isle’s most famous exports.

The Guinness brewery makes a lighter Harp Lager for those less inclined toward creamy Guinness.

Other Irish breweries like George Killian’s and Murphy’s are known for their red ales. The ale is stronger than a lager but far weaker than a stout.

While the Scottish are known as the masters of whiskey, Ireland is home to a few famous distilleries of its own.

Bushmill’s and Jameson’s are always good for a toast.

Boxty Recipe

In a large bow mix:

9 ounces of mashed potatoes (a great way to use leftovers)

1 1/4 cups grated, peeled russet potatoes (about one 9-ounce potato), squeezed dry in kitchen towel

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (about) buttermilk

Diced onion, quantity optional

Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into a medium heat skillet. Fry them like pancakes, flipping sides when they turn brown.