The legends around St. Patrick circulated through generations for centuries. For example, the saint drove snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity of Christianity. Despite the legends, St. Patrick originally gained recognition as a patron saint of Ireland; he established monasteries, churches and schools across the country. To honor the saint, Ireland celebrates the day of his passing with religious services and feasts. Despite the religious background of the holiday, emigrants, especially in the U.S., transformed the holiday into a particularly secular one.
“I’m not really sure what the true meaning behind St. Patrick’s Day is, but I celebrate by wearing a lot of green. To me, the holiday does not have any major meaning besides an excuse to wear all green. In celebration, my mom and I go eat at an Irish restaurant every year,” magnet junior Chloe Bettis said.
Kidnapped from Britain at the age of 16 and brought to Ireland as a slave, St. Patrick escaped only to return with a mission to convert the Irish to Christianity. Historians credited the saint for bringing Christianity to Ireland and held him partially responsible for the Christianization of the Anglo-Saxons and the Picts. During his time as a herdsman, St. Patrick focused on his faith until he finally broke free and returned to Britain. Despite the hardships he faced in Ireland, St. Patrick felt called to establish a stronger Christian faith in the country. Around 432 C.E., he embarked for Ireland. The saint traveled throughout the country — particularly in the north and west — confirming and baptizing the area’s residents, leading to his recognition as the apostle of Ireland.
In the U.S., cities celebrate with elaborate parades and parties, with the first major parade taking place in Boston in 1737, followed by New York City. Since 1962, Chicago has celebrated by coloring their iconic river green. Citizens across the country partake in wearing green, and those who avoid wearing the festive color typically receive pinches from their peers. The holiday also renews its reputation as a drinking holiday, so groups tend to celebrate by taking to local bars or pubs.
St. Patrick’s Day has become synonymous with drinking, partly because the holiday falls on March 17, placing it within the Christian season of Lent. Christians who partake in Lent fast from certain activities, for example, food and alcohol, for 40 days and 40 nights. In celebration of St. Patrick, Irish Christians removed Lent restrictions for the day and threw lavish parties, which included drinking. Irish folklore also suggests St. Patrick enjoyed alcohol; therefore, in honor of him, celebrators indulge in liquor.
Whereas in Ireland, the day remains focused on religious practices and celebration, and Irish locals still partake in non-religious celebrations, including attending parades dressed in the colors of the Irish flag. A multitude of the parade floats represent Irish folklore through storytelling, providing a historical lens into Irish culture. While religion plays a higher role in the Irish celebration compared to the American, both commemorations tend to involve drinking. After the initial celebrations, Irish groups flock to the Temple Bar district to continue the party, joining together in good fortune and connected by their Irish roots.
“To me, the day is about celebrating Irish culture, and I tie it to luck and good fortune. Usually, my family celebrates by going to a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Atlanta, then we eat a good meal after. I typically associate four-leaf clovers, gold and rainbows with the day, or really all things Irish,” junior Skyler Williams said.
Besides wearing green, when the topic of St. Patrick’s Day arises, individuals may think of leprehcuans: the little men dressed in green holding a pot of gold. Truthfully, the concepts of leprechauns stem from Irish folklore, involving fairies and sprites who provide luck and protection to humans. The switch from Irish folklore to a symbol of the holiday started when Walt Disney visited Ireland in the 1960s. He then decided to feature a leprechaun in one of his films, creating an American association between Ireland, leprechauns and St. Patrick’s Day.
Although St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious celebration that now honors a patron saint of Ireland, over time, the day developed into a celebration of Irish culture. From religious services to parades, the holiday traditions continue to grow and take shape across the world to connect people to Irish culture. Despite different celebrations across the world, the days’ festivities stem from the devout faith of St. Patrick, uniting people around luck and liquor.
