*foot notes

On at least one day every year, everybody wants to be Irish. That day, St. Patrick’s Day, is today.

* But Patrick, the man who symbolizes Ireland, was not a son of the Emerald Isle himself. Scholars differ as to the place of Patrick’s birth--Scotland, England or Wales--but agree that it was not Ireland. The Catholic Encyclopedia says he was born in 387 to a family of the Roman nobility. Some scholars say he predated the Catholic Church in Ireland; others say he was sent there as the personal envoy of Pope Celestine I.

* Scholars also debate the place and time of his death. One legend has it that he died and was buried in Downpatrick, Ireland, in the same grave as St. Bridget and St. Columba. A jawbone, purportedly his, was preserved there as a talisman for use in difficult childbirths, epileptic seizures and to ward off the evil eye. Another legend has Patrick buried in Glastonbury, where pilgrimages were once made and a chapel named after him still exists.

* The World of Hibernia Web site--www.twoh.com--offers advice on obtaining Irish citizenship. If you have an Irish-born parent, you are already considered an Irish citizen. If you have an Irish-born grandparent or great-grandparent, you might still be eligible. Benefits include easier travel and greater work opportunities throughout the European Union and bragging rights on St. Patrick’s Day.

Ireland’s 32, 13721 Burbank Blvd., Van Nuys, (818) 785-4031, will again have an all-day party, 9 a.m.-2 a.m., with live Irish music and corned beef and cabbage.

Mr. B’s, 1333 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, (818) 845-1800, presents the Celtic rock band Finn MacCool on Saturday starting at 8 p.m.

Monteleone’s West, 19337 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, (818) 996-0662, will open at noon with additional entrees of corned beef and cabbage and Mulligan’s stew. Live Irish music and Irish drinks will be featured from noon-5 p.m. B. J. Sharp will sing the blues starting at 8:30 p.m.