Saint Patrick's Day
St Patrick’s Day is nearly upon us and on March 17, millions of people will be adorning themselves in green, orange and white and toasting with a pint of Guinness. But the annual holiday, honoring the patron saint of Ireland, isn’t just for Irishmen and women—it’s celebrated the world over.As well as being a national holiday in Ireland and Northern Ireland, St Patrick’s Day pride has spilled over into other parts of the world including London, home to an annual party in Trafalgar Square, various cities in the U.S., Tokyo in Japan and Australia.
The revelry, of course, is all in the name of Saint Patrick, who was born in Britain but sold into slavery in Ireland as a child. He eventually escaped but after becoming deeply religious he decided to return to Ireland to spread the word of Christ. Legend has it Saint Patrick was responsible for making the shamrock synonymous with Ireland after using the three-leaf clover to demonstrate the Holy Trinity. He’s also been attributed with driving snakes out of Ireland.
What will you be doing on Saint Patrick's Day?
Comments (28)
Have you ever had that done?
Redex, how about you?
I like old houses (mine has a big garden and is up a quiet country lane), have rented mainly semi-detached houses in the last number of years and they never felt like a home. This one does.
Should you ever come to the South of Ireland again, let me know.
Have you ever had that done?
Hi Jim,
My parents are both German, great-granddad on mum's side moved to Aachen from Belgium, so think it's all from around three-country-edge area (that's what the area where the borders of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands come together is called).
Have you ever visited Europe?
When I was in the US Marine Corps, I was on a cruise in the Mediterranean with the Navy. Our ports of call were Gibraltar, Cannes, Naples, Athens, Crete, Sardinia, Ankara, Turkey, and Barcelona. Liked Barcelona the best!
Have you ever been to the states?
Barcelona is on my to do list as well. Sounds like you did see a good bit of the world!
Corned Beef, Cabbage and Potato Burritos...
with cayenne pepper...
and Pacifico Beer!
It's for an old friend...a long ways away...
Dahlia M....
She's half Irish, half Mexican.
Wow GentleJim your a seasoned traveller!
Then on to the parade, which was pretty dismal back then.
They have improved a lot since.
Now, I'll just enjoy the day off.
The weather is dry at the moment, so I'll take the dogs walking and enjoy the weather.
I rarely go to the pub on that night, as some s people start drinking early and stay out drinking into the night.
PS, as Itchy said, he had nothing to do with the snakes. They never got to Ireland before the landbridge closed.
Thanks for setting me straight on the Irish lore!