Saint Patrick’s Day is a holiday that is celebrated around the world on March 17th. It is a day to honor Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century.
Although the holiday has its roots in Ireland, it is now celebrated by people of all nationalities and backgrounds. From parades to green beer, there are many traditions associated with St. Patrick’s Day, and in this article, we’ll explore some of the most interesting facts about this beloved holiday.
1. Saint Patrick’s real name was “Maewyn Succat“
Saint Patrick is one of the most famous patron saints in the world, and his name is synonymous with the holiday that celebrates him. However, many people are unaware that his real name was actually Maewyn Succat. He changed his name to Patricius, which means “Father Figure.” St. Patrick’s Day could have been Saint Maewyn’s Day.
2. Saint Patrick was actually British Not Irish
Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was actually born in Roman Britain. He was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. His father was likely a member of the curiales, who were responsible for imperial tax collection. Although he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, he was never formally canonized.
Nevertheless, he is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Church of Ireland (part of the Anglican Communion), and in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is regarded as equal-to-the-apostles and Enlightener of Ireland.
3. March 17 is not Saint Patrick’s birthday
It is a common misconception that March 17 is Saint Patrick’s birthday. In fact, March 17 is the day Saint Patrick died. Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the late fourth century. He was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Although he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, he was never formally canonized.
Nevertheless, he is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Church of Ireland (part of the Anglican Communion), and in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is regarded as equal-to-the-apostles and Enlightener of Ireland. St Patrick’s Day is held on the day he passed away.
4. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade happened in America, not Ireland
It is a common misconception that the first St. Patrick’s Day parade happened in Ireland. In fact, the first recorded parade honoring the Catholic feast day of St. Patrick was held in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, in 1601. The parade was organized by the Spanish colony’s Irish vicar, Ricardo Artur.
More than a century later, homesick Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched in Boston in 1737 and in New York City on March 17, 1762. Since then, St. Patrick’s Day parades have become a popular tradition in many cities around the world, including Dublin, Ireland.
5. Saint Patrick’s Day used to be a dry holiday
It is true that Saint Patrick’s Day used to be a dry holiday in Ireland. Until the 1970s, pubs were closed on that day, and the saint’s feast day was considered a more solemn, strictly religious occasion.
However, this changed when the day was converted to a national holiday in 1970, and now the country welcomes hordes of green-clad tourists for parades, drinks, and perhaps the reciting of a few limericks.
6. Everyone Should Be Wearing Blue, Not Green Dressing
It is a common misconception that everyone should be wearing green on Saint Patrick’s Day. In fact, the earliest depictions of St. Patrick show him clothed in blue garments, not green. The significance of blue dates back to early Irish mythology when the sovereignty of Ireland, Flaitheas Éireann, was often represented by a woman dressed in a blue robe. St. Patrick actually wore blue, not green.
However, from the late 18th to the 20th century, as the divide between the Irish population and the British crown deepened, the color green and St. Patrick’s shamrock became a symbol of identity and rebellion for the Irish. Nevertheless, some people still wear blue on St. Patrick’s Day to honor the saint’s original color.
7. The shamrock is a symbol of Ireland
The shamrock is a symbol of Ireland, worn on clothes and seen on objects. The word shamrock derives from the Irish seamróg, which is a diminutive of seamair óg meaning “young clover”. The shamrock is a type of clover, although botanists and the public are divided on which species of clover exactly is a shamrock.
None of these species are unique to Ireland – they all grow across Europe. However, the shamrock has become a symbol of Ireland, loved by the Irish and Irish diaspora, as well as anyone celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day.
It is often associated with St. Patrick, who used the shamrock as a metaphor to explain the Holy Trinity – where God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three persons in one God.
8. The Shamrock Was Considered a Sacred Plant
The shamrock, which was also called the “seamroy” by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism.
The Irish botanist and cleric Caleb Threlkeld wrote a treatise on Ireland’s native plants in 1726 that explained the shamrock as the country’s national symbol, and asserted its significance in Irish culture. According to legend, St. Patrick used the shamrock as a visual guide when explaining the Holy Trinity.
9. The shamrock was NOT originally used as a teaching tool
It is a common misconception that the shamrock was originally used as a teaching tool. In fact, the earliest depictions of St. Patrick show him clothed in blue garments, not green.
The shamrock, on the other hand, was not associated with St. Patrick until much later. It was not until the 17th century that the shamrock became a symbol of Irish identity and was used to represent the Holy Trinity.
10. There are no female leprechauns
According to Irish folklore, leprechauns are diminutive supernatural beings, classed by some as a type of solitary fairy. They are usually depicted as little bearded men, wearing a coat and hat, who partake in mischief.
Although the gender of leprechauns is not explicitly mentioned in Irish folklore, it is generally assumed that they are male. However, there is no reason why leprechauns could not be female, and some modern depictions of leprechauns do show them as female.
11. Saint Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland
It is a common misconception that Saint Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. In fact, there is no evidence that snakes ever existed in Ireland. The story of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland is likely a metaphor for his Christianizing of the pagan Irish.
12. The Irish Were Once Scorned in America
The Irish have a long history in America, dating back to the 18th century. However, they were not always welcomed with open arms. In the mid-19th century, the Irish began to arrive in large numbers, fleeing poverty and famine in their homeland.
They were met with hostility and discrimination, and many Americans viewed them as inferior and dangerous. The Irish were often portrayed as drunken, violent, and uneducated, and they were blamed for many of the country’s social ills.
Anti-Irish sentiment was so strong that many job advertisements included the phrase “No Irish Need Apply”. Despite this, the Irish persevered, and they eventually became an integral part of American society. Today, Irish-Americans are proud of their heritage and celebrate it with parades, festivals, and other cultural events.
13. Corned Beef and Cabbage Was an American Innovation
It is true that corned beef and cabbage is a popular dish associated with St. Patrick’s Day, but it is not a traditional Irish meal. In fact, the dish is an American innovation that was created by Irish immigrants in the late 19th century. In Ireland, bacon and cabbage is a more traditional dish, but it was too expensive for many Irish immigrants in America.
Instead, they turned to corned beef, which was more affordable and readily available. Today, corned beef and cabbage is a staple of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America, and it is often served with potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables.
14. Saint Patrick was a bishop in Ireland
Saint Patrick was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. According to tradition dating from the early Middle Ages, Patrick was the first bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland, and is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, converting a pagan society in the process.
He has been generally so regarded ever since, despite evidence of some earlier Christian presence. Patrick’s life cannot be fixed with certainty, but there is general agreement that he was active as a missionary in Ireland during the fifth century.
15. The Chicago River is turned green every year to celebrate
It is true that the Chicago River is turned green every year to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The tradition began in 1962, when members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union dumped 100 pounds of green dye into the river to celebrate the holiday.
Since then, the tradition has grown in popularity, and thousands of people gather each year to watch the river turn a vibrant shade of green. The dye used to color the river is vegetable-based and is a closely guarded secret. The river is only dyed for a few hours on the day of the parade, which is held on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day.
16. There are usually Saint Patrick’s Day parades!
Saint Patrick’s Day parades are a popular tradition in many cities around the world, including Dublin, Ireland. The first recorded parade honoring the Catholic feast day of St. Patrick was held in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, in 1601.
Since then, St. Patrick’s Day parades have become a popular tradition in many cities around the world, including Boston, New York, and Chicago in the United States. Today, St. Patrick’s Day parades are a fun and festive way to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.
The world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in an Irish village. It lasts only 100 yards, between the village’s two pubs.
The city of Montreal has one of the longest-running and largest St Patrick’s Day parades in North America, occurring since 1824.
17. Traditional Food on Saint Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that is celebrated with lots of traditional Irish food. Some of the most popular dishes include Irish lamb or pork, roasted potatoes and cabbage, mashed potatoes with green beans and carrots, and fish pies made with cod or haddock.
Another popular dish is the Irish fry, which includes bacon, fried tomatoes, black pudding, brown soda bread, and a huge pot of tea. For dessert, you might find apple tart, which is often baked on a plate and made with homemade pastry and local apples.
18. St. Patrick isn’t technically a saint
While millions around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day every March 17, the sad fact is that Patrick has never been canonized by the Catholic Church and is a saint in name only. There was no formal canonization process in the Church during its first millennium.
In the early years of the Church, the title saint was bestowed first upon martyrs, and then upon individuals recognized by tradition as being exceptionally holy during their lifetimes.
Consequently, these Irish saints, including St. Patrick, were never actually formally canonized. Patrick was proclaimed a saint by popular acclaim, probably with the approval of a bishop. The official process for canonization did not come until about the 12th century.
19. St. Patrick’s walking stick grew into a tree while he was preaching
According to legend, St. Patrick carried a walking stick made of wood from the ash tree. One day, after visiting his parent’s home in Britain, Patrick was taking the opportunity to preach to the people he met as he travelled back to Ireland.
He stopped to rest at a place called Aspatria and stuck his walking stick into the ground. The stick then grew into a living tree, which is said to have been a sign of God’s approval of his preaching.
20. St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish national holiday
St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Ireland, which means that banks, stores, and businesses are closed for the day. It is also a public holiday in Northern Ireland, the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (for provincial government employees), and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. The holiday is celebrated on March 17th, which is the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death in the fifth century.
21. Beer is one of the most widely consumed beverages on This Day
Beer is one of the most widely consumed beverages on St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, according to the Brewers Association, Americans will drink about 6.3 million barrels of beer on St. Patrick’s Day, or about 196 million pints. Guinness is a popular beer choice on St. Patrick’s Day, with millions of pints consumed around the world.
22. Legend says that each leaf of the clover has a meaning
According to legend, each leaf of the clover has a meaning: hope, faith, love, and luck. The shamrock, a three-leaf clover, has been associated with Ireland for centuries. It was called the “seamroy” by the Celts and was considered a sacred plant that symbolized the arrival of spring.
According to legend, St. Patrick used the plant as a visual guide when explaining the Holy Trinity. By the 17th century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism.
23. The Rock Of Cashel – Aka St. Patrick’s Rock
The Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock, is a historical site located at Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland. According to local legends, the Rock of Cashel originated in the Devil’s Bit, a mountain 20 miles (30 km) north of Cashel when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock’s landing in Cashel.
Cashel is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by Saint Patrick in the 5th century. The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. The picturesque complex has a character of its own and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe.
24. St. Patrick the exterminator
St. Patrick is known as a symbol of Ireland, particularly around every March. While he’s obviously not Pagan at all — the title of Saint should give that away — there’s often some discussion about him each year, because he’s allegedly the guy who drove ancient Irish Paganism away from the Emerald Isle.
However, the idea that Patrick physically drove the Pagans from Ireland in inaccurate; what he did do was facilitate the spread of Christianity around the Emerald Isle. He did such a good job of it that he began the conversion of the entire country to the new religious beliefs, thus paving the way for the elimination of the old systems.
25. Cold weather helped St. Patrick’s claim to fame
According to legend, St. Patrick was able to use the cold weather to his advantage and gain fame in Ireland. The story goes that St. Patrick was preaching to a group of people on a hillside when they complained that they couldn’t see what he was talking about because of the snow.
St. Patrick then reached down and picked up a shamrock, which he used to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity. The people were so impressed with his explanation that they converted to Christianity on the spot. While this story is likely apocryphal, it has become a part of the St. Patrick’s Day legend and is often retold to this day.
Other Facts About Saint Patrick’s Day
- Guinness stands as the quintessential libation, heralded and indulged in by millions, reaching its zenith of popularity on the exuberant occasion of St. Patrick’s Day.
- The United States boasts a staggering 34.7 million denizens with Irish lineage, a number that surpasses the population of Ireland itself by more than sevenfold.
- St. Patrick’s Day sees Americans unabashedly accumulating a substantial bar tab, marking the festivities with a spirited celebration of libations.
- The vernacular of St. Patrick’s Day is not merely linguistic jargon; it is a delightful lexicon that adds an extra layer of coherence and charm to the festivities.
- Only two nations worldwide observe a public holiday on St. Patrick’s Day, elevating the significance of this cultural celebration to a select and distinctive echelon.
- Argentina hosts the grandest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in South America, a vibrant testament to the global reach and allure of this Irish festivity.
- St. Patrick’s Day is not confined to Irish soil; it burgeons across borders with over 100 countries partaking in the jubilation of this cultural extravaganza.
- The global spectacle of St. Patrick’s Day extends to more than 600 landmarks — stadiums, statues, museums, and towers — all ablaze in verdant hues, illuminating the world in a green embrace.
- A pilgrimage of over 5.5 million visitors annually graces the venerable St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, attesting to its status as a cherished destination.
- The final resting place of St. Patrick is believed to be in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, lending a sacred aura to this historic locale.
- Saint Patrick’s escape from Ireland by boat is a captivating episode that adds a maritime dimension to his legendary journey.
- A staggering 13 million pints of Guinness are savored on the hallowed Saint Patrick’s Day, a testament to the global appreciation of this iconic Irish brew.
- The St. Patrick’s Centre, a beacon of Irish culture and history, finds its home in the heart of Northern Ireland.
- Having studied Christianity and embracing priesthood, St. Patrick returned to Ireland, leaving an indelible mark by establishing the Christian church on its verdant shores.
- The revelry on Saint Patrick’s Day is accompanied by a lavish expenditure on beer, with estimates in 2012 pegging the total spending at a staggering $245 million — truly a noteworthy bar tab.
- In the bygone era of 1903-1970, Saint Patrick’s Day was deemed a religious holiday, resulting in the closure of most bars and pubs, rendering it a “Dry Holiday.”
- The harp, not the shamrock, proudly serves as the national symbol of Ireland, embodying the nation’s rich cultural heritage.
- The genesis of the Celtic cross is attributed by some to Saint Patrick, adding an enduring and symbolic element to the cultural tapestry of Ireland.
- The Pot ‘O Gold coin toss has become a customary game, enriching the festivities and adding an element of merriment to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
- Shamrock shakes emerge as a favored beverage, adding a delightful and festive touch to the repertoire of libations enjoyed on St. Patrick’s Day.
- The pursuit of a four-leaf clover, deemed a rare and fortunate find, entails odds of 1 in 10,000, heightening the intrigue of this symbolic quest.
- Until the 1970s, St. Patrick’s Day held the status of a minor religious holiday, its transformation into a global celebration marking a cultural shift.
- Horseshoes and various trinkets embody the collective good luck charms associated with St. Patrick’s Day, adding a touch of superstition to the revelry.
- Regrettably, a pervasive stereotype on St. Patrick’s Day often classifies the Irish as inebriated revelers, overshadowing the cultural richness of the celebration.
- The custom of kissing someone Irish is believed to bestow good fortune on St. Patrick’s Day, lending a touch of romance and charm to the festivities.
- Engaging in sports spectacles emerges as a favored pastime during St. Patrick’s Day, blending the fervor of competition with the vibrant spirit of Irish revelry.
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