Saint Patrick is Ireland’s patron saint. When he was just plain old Patrick, he was taken from his home in Roman Britain by Irish raiders to work as a slave in Ireland. After six long years working as a herdsman, he escaped back to Britain and, upon his return, he had a vision: his purpose in life was to convert Ireland to Christianity.
He proved very successful in this mission!
Patrick’s achievements included converting wealthy women into nuns and sons of kings into believers. What’s more, according to folklore, he chased the snakes off the island. A legend was born.
Fast-forward 1500 years and St Patrick’s Day has become an international celebration of Ireland and Irish culture. All across Ireland and in major cities around the world, people dress in green, take to the streets and toast a pint of Guinness to the Emerald Isle.
The tradition of large parades and parties started in the Irish emigrant communities on America’s East Coast, wanting to show pride for their beloved homeland. Nowadays, Ireland’s own parades are some of the largest in the world. One thing is for sure: the Irish know how to throw a party.
What would St Patrick make of it all?
St Patrick’s Day in Ireland
Dublin
St Patrick’s Day is a national holiday that is celebrated with a passion all over Ireland, both in the Republic and Northern Ireland. It’s hard to believe that up until 1970, pubs across Ireland closed their doors as a mark of respect for the holy day!
Dublin’s St Patrick’s Festival runs from 16th to 19th March and sees the city awash with green. Live music, funfairs and theatre fill the streets, along with many merry Irish people. The final event of the weekend is a boat race on the River Liffey between Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin on Monday 19th March.
In Belfast, the St. Patrick’s Day Carnival takes to the streets on 17th March. The Ulster Orchestra will be joined by the legendary Celtic folk group Horslips to perform a special St. Patrick’s Day Concert at the Waterfront Hall.
Find out more about our English courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland
St Patrick’s Day in the USA: New York, Boston & Chicago
photo: Christopher Macsurak
New York is where it all began, back in 1766. Irish soldiers recruited to serve in the American colonies held a small parade to celebrate the holy day. The soldiers still march today, but they are joined by hundreds of thousands of revellers out to enjoy the craic. The parade goes up 5th Avenue, from 44th Street to 79th Street, starting this year at 11am on March 17th.
But it’s not just New York that becomes Irish for the day. Boston is the American city most closely associated with Irish immigration and is a superb place to enjoy a corned beef & cabbage dinner and celebrate Ireland’s national day. The Chicago River (pictured) is dyed green each year to celebrate… a celebration that local girl Michelle Obama extended in 2009 by dying the fountains of the White House green in honour of St Patrick!
If you are in the US on St Patrick’s Day, there is one tradition to watch out for. If you don’t wear something green, people will pinch you!
Find out more about our English courses in the USA
St Patrick’s Day 2012 around the world
photo: Ivan Walsh
Anywhere there is an Irish emigrant community, or even an Irish pub (ie. everywhere) you will find St Patrick’s Day celebrations. In Australia, Sydney’s celebrations are the second largest in the world, after New York, starting with a parade and carrying on in Hyde Park late into the afternoon. Even Buenos Aires has a parade.
It seems everyone has fallen under the spell of Ireland and its friendly people. Join the party!
What do you think?