Saint Patrick's Day - History, Traditions and Fun Facts

Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! “And the rest o’ the day to yourself!” is the typical response.

Today, as they say, everyone is a little Irish. Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world and it’s time we learn a little more about why this day is a big one on the event calendar.

What does Saint Patrick’s Day celebrate?

Saint Patrick’s Day is a religious and cultural celebration held on 17 March, and is a public holiday in Ireland. The day honours Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as the culture and heritage of the Irish in general.

Who is Saint Patrick?

Much of what is known about Saint Patrick comes from the Declaration or the Confessio of Patrick, which was supposedly written by Patrick himself. It is believed that he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. According to the Declaration, at the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and taken as a slave to Ireland. It says that he spent six years there working as a shepherd and that during this time he "found God". The Declaration says that God told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest.

According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. The Declaration says that he spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted "thousands". Tradition holds that he died on 17 March and was buried at Downpatrick. Over the following centuries, many legends grew up around Patrick and he became Ireland's foremost saint.

 
What are some of the traditions and customs of Saint Patrick’s Day?

Traditionally, in the churches, the restrictions of Lent (a period of fasting beginning on Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday), including eating and drinking alcohol, are lifted for the day, which explains why people associate today with alcohol consumption and partying.

On Saint Patrick’s Day green is the colour to be seen wearing and shamrocks (or more commonly known as 3 leaf clovers) are important accessories. It is said that Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, although, the four-leaf clover is said to bring  good luck to their finders, especially if found accidentally. Each leaf is believed to represent something: the first is for faith, the second is for hope, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck.

 

 

What exactly is the “luck of the Irish”?

Ireland has a very tragic past, as its people were forced to emigrate due to famine. They left for America and the UK in order to find a better life. However, many were treated badly and had to struggle to succeed, which many of them did through determination, strong character and hard work. Unfortunately, the natives of the USA in particular despised the Irish settlers who were successful and felt their fortune was down to ‘luck’ and not due to their hard work.

As a result, the term 'Luck of the Irish' originated in the USA and means bad luck and not good luck as most people think today. It is an ironic phrase used to describe the gloomy history of the people of Ireland. The phrase was also used by the people of America to describe the Irish emigrants who found their 'Pot of Gold' in the Gold and Silver mines.



However, some people feel that the Irish people were born lucky. The people of Ireland seem to have the ability to prosper when others struggle, as previously mentioned, due to their determination and hard work. The Irish, in general, are strong willed, resilient people who have had to work hard to survive. They have never had the choice to 'take things easy'. But even so, the Irish have an amazing sense of humour and pride for their country. People who have to trace their ancestors back three generations or more still feel proud to wear green and celebrate the patron saint of Ireland's special day on the 17th March.

Whatever the origins of the phrase 'Luck of the Irish' was intended to mean, good or bad luck, the fact is the Irish are seen as a very fortunate race of people. They are proud, hardworking, funny, extremely patriotic and loved by nations all over the world. Therefore, it is true, everyone loves the Irish!

So today, worldwide, everyone is a little Irish and we raise our pint glasses in honour of them and Saint Patrick!