St. Patrick's Day, March 17th 2009: Just around the corner!

Saint Patrick's Day is just around the corner!  Every March 17th thousands around the world, both Irish and non-Irish alike, celebrate the life of Saint Patrick.  Though the holiday as celebrated in Ireland has maintained much of its original meaning and connection to the Saint, secular celebrations elsewhere generally represent a decent excuse to engage in Irish culture by dressing in green, consuming some green tinted beer, and enjoying an Irish dish or two.

The History

Saint Patrick was a Roman Britain-born Christian missionary believed to have lived during the fourth and fifth centuries.   March 17th is generally agreed to be the day Saint Patrick died.

St. Paddy's Day has long been celebrated as a religious holiday in Ireland for both the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church.  It is, however, the secular celebrations which attract the most attention - in Ireland and abroad.  

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It wasn't until the late 1990's that the Irish government began associating the popularity of St. Patrick's day celebrations around the world with Irish culture.  The first official Saint Patrick's Festival was held in Ireland in 1996 and has been growing in size and spectacle ever since.  Though the holiday remains a religious one, greater emphasis is now placed on "Irishness" as opposed to the historical religious affiliations.  This is a concept obviously echoed around the world. 

The Shamrock and Wearing Green

A few iconic and legendary symbols of Saint Patrick are worth explaining. 

The shamrock, a three leaved clover native to Ireland, was apparently used by the Saint to help explain the Holy Trinity to pre-Christian Irish.  Today, it's an easy out for those looking for some Irish clad before heading out to celebrate.

Likewise, the wearing of green, and indeed the inclusion of all things green, has long been a display of Irish nationalism.  Today, for those non-Irish celebrating a very Irish holiday, it's another obvious one.  Interestingly, though, blue was the colour most associated with Saint Patrick in history and it wasn't until later that the shamrock's green colour somehow made its way to prominence.

The Celebrations

Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders, Australians, and Brits are of the people most inclined to celebrate with a night out this March 17th.  The first Saint Patrick's Day parade to hit North America took place in Boston in 1737 and major cities around Canada and the US have been hosting parades, dinners, and events ever since. 

Check back soon for a St. Patrick's Day Parade post with all the details for local parades and events.