On March 17th, everyone is a little bit Irish! Though originally an Irish holiday, St. Patrick’s Day is now celebrated around the world. From the United States of America to Argentina and Malaysia, this fascinating holiday has become a global phenomenon, and each of these countries has its own unique St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
But… who was St. Patrick? Why do we celebrate him on this day? With the holiday fast approaching, here at Civitatis we thought that it was the perfect time to delve into the history and traditions associated with this fascinating and beloved Irish holiday. Ar aghaidh linn! (Let’s go!)
What is St. Patrick’s Day All About?
First, let’s dive into what this holiday is all about and dispel some of the most common misconceptions held about it and St. Patrick.
Who was St. Patrick?
St. Patrick was born at the end of the 4th century A.D., in Roman Britain. That’s right—St. Patrick was British! Specifically, St. Patrick is thought to have been born in Wales. At the age of 16, he was taken as a prisoner by pirates and brought to Ireland as a slave. After 6 years of captivity, he escaped and returned to his native land. Then, years later, Patrick came back to Ireland to spread Christianity across the country. He travelled around the Emerald Isle establishing schools, churches and monasteries.
By the 7th century A.D. St. Patrick had come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland. Almost ever since then, his feast day has been celebrated on the day of his death, the 17th of March.
Did St. Patrick banish snakes from Ireland?
While this popular legend is definitely an interesting one, there is no evidence of snakes having ever been in Ireland. It is thought that in this tale, the snake is a metaphor for St. Patrick’s mission. In early Christianity, snakes were a symbol commonly associated with paganism.
What does the Shamrock have to do with St. Patrick’s Day?
It is said that St. Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people when he returned as a missionary.
St. Patrick’s Day: an International Celebration
Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world. Though it has been celebrated in some form since the 8th century, it wasn’t until the 18th century that many of today’s traditions became commonplace. Let’s dive into some of the most famous and interesting celebrations around the world!
New York – home of St. Patrick’s Day parade?
The first recorded St. Patrick’s Daywas held in 1762, and not in Ireland, but in New York City. This parade thus pre-dates the United States itself! Today, it is the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the world, with around 2,000,000 spectators and 250,000 participants! While March 17th had long been celebrated as a feast day in Ireland, the first state-sponsored parade wasn’t held until 1931. This is a testament to the vital role played by the Irish diaspora around the world in developing this tradition.
All across the city, there is evidence of the influence of the Irish diaspora. One of the most significant landmarks associated with Irish people is the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral—a landmark which was named as such due to the large influx of Irish Catholics in the city. If you’re in New York and are interested in the role played by Irish immigrants in New York, check out this St. Patrick’s Cathedral tour!
Dublin – an authentic St. Patrick’s Day celebration
Since the first official parade was held in Dublin in 1931, the St. Patrick’s Day parade has become one of the most famous and anticipated events in Ireland’s capital city. The parade bursts with colour and wonderful floats weave through the heart of the city as a sea of green watches on. With around 500,000 spectators, the parade passes by a number of the city’s major landmarks including Trinity College and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
It goes without saying that pub culture is another significant part of any St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In fact, it’s estimated that 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed around the world on St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re in Dublin and want to dive into the pub culture in the city, why not book our Dublin Temple Bar Pub Crawl?
Buenos Aires – the biggest celebration in Latin America
Interestingly, Argentina is home to one of the largest Irish communities in the world, with around 40,000 Irish people emigrating to the South American country in the 19th and 20th centuries. Incredibly, St. Patrick’s Day in Buenos Aires has around the same attendance as Dublin, with approximately 500,000 party-goers coming each year. The celebration includes a parade and dozens of stalls offering traditional Irish products, crafts and food. The city’s bars also play an important role in the festivities. In fact, this time of year might be the perfect chance to enjoy this Buenos Aires Beer Tour!
London
The capital city of the UK, Ireland’s closest neighbour and home to millions of Irish immigrants, it should come as no surprise that London hosts one of the largest and most extravagant parades in the world. This celebration is characterised by a 2 kilometre (1.5 mile) parade featuring endless colourful floats. This, along with plenty of live music and other festivities… what’s not to enjoy? The parade goes through some of the city’s most famous landmarks including Picadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column and Whitehall. Regardless of when you visit, you can check out these iconic landmarks on this Free Walking Tour of London.
Chicago – one of the most iconic celebrations
One of the most famous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations is in another city with a massive population of people of Irish heritage. The city collectively celebrates Irish culture with vibrant parades, green-drenched streets, and a lively atmosphere. Locals and visitors alike don festive green outfits, revelling in the spirit of the holiday.
The celebration is marked by the Chicago River dyeing ceremony, a tradition which dates back to 1962. The result is a wonderfully bright green Chicago River flowing through the city. And don’t worry—the dye is non-toxic and vegetable-based, so as not to harm the ecosystem.
Mark it in Your Calendars!
Now that you’ve learned a bit more about Ireland’s national holiday, make sure to mark it in your calendar! Wherever you celebrate, check out some thrilling activities to enjoy with Civitatis, have fun and stay safe. Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit! (Happy St. Patrick’s Day!)
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