Irish Moonshine: A Stellar Reason to Raise Your Glass Today

The Irish call their moonshine poitín.

And here's how they've been making it for centuries:

In remote rural areas away from the reach, or at least the vision, of the law. (Because distilling poitín has been illegal since 1661.)

On land boundaries, lying between one owner's property and another, so that the issue of ownership could be disputed. (Just in case some local garda came wandering past.)

On windy days so that the smoke from burning fuel would be dispersed and not draw attention.

And by widows, to give them a source of income.

There are lots of other media outlets where you'll find listings of ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day all over Boston.

We'd rather give you a story and a reason wherever you are to raise your glass -- of Guinness, whiskey or, if you're really lucky, poitín -- to the perseverance and ingenuity of the Irish.

Sláinte.

DAILY TIDBIT:

Click here to hear a segment of Red White Boston's own Cathy Huyghe talking about the food and drink of Ireland with Brian O'Donovan, host of WGBH's Celtic Sojourn radio program.