St. Patricks Day - 17th March
St. Patrick's Day falls on the 17th March each year and celbrates Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland (who lived from 386-493AD).
Across the whole of Ireland, the day is a national holiday, and also a public holiday in other parts of the world including parts of Canada and Monsterrat.
Green is the colour associated with Saint Patrick's day with green clothing, eating irish food and consuming alcohol - especially Guinness!
A Little History
Despite being the Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick was actually born in Wales and was called Maewyn. He led a simple life until aged 16 when he was captured and sold into slavery. During the six year period that he was held captive, he became closer to God and after his escape he fled to Gaul in Ireland and for the next 12 years studied in a monastery under St. Germain.
The Shamrock
This plant is the traditional icon of St. Patricks Day. It originates from the tale of how Saint Patrick used this three-leafed plant to explain the Holy Trinity. The Father, The Son and Holy Spirit were each one of th three leaves - all separate, yet part of the same entity.
Traditions & Facts
- One would normally associate the colour green with St. Patricks Day - although in Ireland, wearing too much green is considered to be bad luck!
- People celebrating will wear a sprig of shamrock somewhere on their clothing.
- Shamrocks aren't plants - but a type of clover commonly found growing in Ireland.
- Although the shamrock is whats associated with Ireland, the national symbol is in fact the Celtic harp.
- Since 1820, more than 5 million Irish people have immigrated to the United States
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