St Patrick's Day
It's St Patrick's Day on March 17th and I was looking for something to share with you when I came across this delightful Irish comedy perfect for the day.
It will go live on Friday, and is a Columbia Workshop production entitled Cassidy and the Devil, written by Basil Heatter. It was first broadcast on January 12th 1941 but was so popular that they rebroadcast it in March to celebrate St Patrick's Day.
In the story, Patrick Cassidy, usually a villainous heartless rascal, came across a poor old man weary from traveling and faint from hunger. Patrick offered him the only food they had in the cupboard, a rind of bacon and a crusty piece of bread. The old beggar man wanted to show Cassidy that he was grateful but Cassidy doubted what an old beggar could do for the likes of him.
Suddenly a glow surrounds the man and he appears as St Patrick himself. He tells Cassidy that long ago he had made a vow to return to Ireland in the shape of a poor old man and that the first person he met that was kind to him, he would reward with any three wishes he desired.
Well as unlikely as it seems, that man was Patrick Cassidy! St Patrick tells him to make his wishes and be quick about it as he's no time to waste.
The wishes he made in haste seem unusual, you'll have to listen to the story to find out what they are, but in time they will be used to his benefit when he meets the devil who has come to take him away.
Patrick Cassidy, a man destined for hell, makes a deal with the devil promising that he will go along willingly with him in seven years time, if the devil first gives him fifty thousand pounds. The Devil agrees and Patrick Cassidy and his wife are bestowed with the money.
When the Devil turns up in seven years to take him away the canny Patrick Cassidy tricks the Devil with one of his wishes given to him by St Patrick and makes another deal with the Devil.
I don't want to tell you any more and spoil the story for you but I can tell you it's a fine ending, sure to put you in a good mood for the day.
If you are still in the mood for listening to stories relating to St Patrick's day or all things Irish, there's a constant stream of almost fifty relevant shows on the RUSC St Patrick's Day Radio Station, or you can click for some previous St Patrick's Day editorials and shows here, or the following link if you want to pick your own St Patrick's day shows from our plentiful collection.
I hope you'll enjoy our tales of luck, romance, leprechauns, folklore, myths and legends this week. A few of the shows even contain the answers to our quiz questions, to make sure you'll ace our St Patrick's Day quiz! ☘️ 🇮🇪
Happy listening my friends,
