There are a few reasons why most people in Ireland wear green on St Patrick’s Day. This is part of the celebration and is considered a tradition every year. Another tradition is that on this day you can ask people to kiss you! This day is a time of fun and being just a little bit silly. Below are some things you might want to know about this important Irish celebration.
St. Patrick is believed to have died on March 17th, and this is why that date was chosen as St. Patrick’s Day. The celebration is always held on that date.
Legend has it that St. Patrick drove away all the snakes in Ireland, however the story is just the result of people’s exaggeration. Irish people claim that there are no snakes in their country, however the story is hard to believe.
St. Patrick escaped to Britain from Ireland, and returned a priest after a number of years’ absence.
The first St. Patrick’s parade was actually held in the US (in New York) in 1762, and not in Ireland. This celebration is still a very important one for Americans.
A phrase you will hear often during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations is ‘Erin go bragh’, which means ‘Ireland forever’.
In Ireland, it is believed that if a person kisses the Blarney stone, then they will receive the ‘gift of the gab’. This is a popular story amongst the Irish, and is therefore part of the annual celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
The majority of Irish people are Christian, particularly Catholic, however divorce was legalized there in 1995 following a referendum. This desire of the people to legalize divorce is quite surprising given the Christian view of marriage as being a sacred state.
One of the fun activities of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland is the drinking of green beer. So try some green beer and ask people to kiss you, and have fun! You should also wear some green, or you might find that people pinch you. Don’t forget to observe the religious nature of the occasion, too, however.
There is much to learn about St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. Have fun joining in with people as they celebrate the occasion, whether you are in Ireland or elsewhere in the world. Wear a touch of green and watch the parade which is the start of the festivities. Be part of the event and enjoy yourself together with all the other people who recognize the importance and fun of this special day.
It’s important not to forget St. Patrick himself on this day, though. Irish people always take a little time to pray and to thank the saint for having brought Christianity to their land. St. Patrick is an important part of Irish history, and thanks to the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, and elsewhere around the world, he will not be forgotten. If you want to know more about St. Patrick or his day, then have a look at the many websites which explain the background and traditions surrounding the occasion.
