"Back home, March 17 is a national holiday. All the businesses and schools are closed. You always wear something green on that day and people go to parades," Cavagnaro said in her soft Irish accent. "Irish people are just fun-loving people. They have good personality and quick wit."

For the past 20 years, thousands of miles away from Ireland, Cavagnaro has kept the Irish spirit alive through her little store at the Oaks Shopping Center, Celtic Shoppe.

Although it is located in the middle of the shopping center and lacks visibility, the shop's popularity never fades. It is one of the few Irish shops in the Bay Area. People from all parts of Northern California come to the shop to buy Irish and Scottish decorations, to ask Cavagnaro about Ireland or just to pick up a copy of the Irish Herald.

Cavagnaro is the soul of the shop. She came to the United States 43 years ago after she met her American husband, Louis, in London. She worked in a hotel and he was sent there to set up a radio system to study the northern lights. When he finished his work, she came to California with him. About 20 years ago, Louis suggested Cavagnaro open an Irish novelty gift shop, and he has helped her in the store since.

"She is the boss. I am the gofer," Louis, 76, said.

The shop carries everything Scottish and Irish. It has a wide collection of Scottish scarves, Celtic music and shamrock-decorated china. Cavagnaro travels to Ireland every year to visit her brother and acquire new products.

Among the various merchandise, Irish jewelry is probably the most popular. Cavagnaro's love for Ireland and rich knowledge about her homeland show when she patiently explains to customers the story behind every ring and pendant.

Although Cavagnaro has told the tale of the Claddagh ring hundreds of times, her blue eyes sparkle every time she talks about this Irish symbol of love. The story comes from Claddagh, a small fishing village overlooking Galway Bay: Master goldsmith Richard Joyce, who lived in the village 400 years ago, was swept to slavery by pirates. When he eventually won his freedom and returned to Claddagh, he created this ring—a heart cradled in two hands of friendship and crowned in a promise of loyalty—for his lover, who had waited for him.

"If you wear the ring on the right hand with the crown turned inwards, it means that you are free. If you wear the ring on the left hand with the crown turned outward, it means that you are engaged or married," Cavagnaro said.

Cavagnaro's hospitality has won many loyal customers. Business is particularly busy during St. Patrick's Day.

Marian Marren, 66, comes to the Celtic Shoppe every year to buy decorations for her Los Altos home. She hosts a St. Patrick's Day party every year. This year, she bought an Irish pillow, Irish tea and Irish compact discs.

"I grew up in Chicago, where St. Patrick's Day is celebrated as big as Christmas. We all marched with our uniforms and Irish flags," said Marren, who is half Irish. "In California, we celebrate more an Irish-American holiday. We will have corn beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, shamrock cookies for dessert and, of course, a lot of Guinness."

While 34.4 million of U.S. residents celebrate their Irish lineage on this Irish holiday, the Cavagnaroes will have a stand at the St. Patrick's Day festival in downtown Campbell.

"It is a workday for us, but we will have corned beef with cabbage for dinner to celebrate it when we get home," Cavagnaro said.