Saint Patrick’s Day
WHAT IS THIS CELEBRATION ?
It is originally a religious celebration in honor of the patron saint of Ireland: Saint-Patrick, his real name is Maewyn Succat.
WHEN IS IT CELEBRATED ?
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 for more than 1500 years, because it is the death of Saint Patrick, in the year 461.
Since 1903, this day has been a public holiday in Ireland.
WHERE IS IT CELEBRATED ?
Originally, Saint Patrick was celebrated in Ireland.
Now, it’s celebrated around the world, people come together to celebrate.
WHY IS IT CELEBRATED ?
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated because St Patrick, after being kidnapped at the age of 16 by pirates and sold as a slave to a druid who made him a shepherd, became a priest.
He brought Christianity to Ireland and he explained the principle of the Trinity thanks to the shamrock, each of the leaves represents the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
After that, the shamrock became the new symbol of Ireland, because before it was the harp.
We also celebrate the beginning of spring.
HOW IS IT CELEBRATED ?
During the feast of Saint Patrick, people drink beer, they dance and they sing.
They parade in the streets dressed in green, like Leprechauns who wear a green hat, a clover and who have a red beard.
The legend tells if you catch one, he is bound to offer you his treasure at the end of a rainbow.
The Thames and the Chicago river are also colored in green.
Green is the emblematic color because in 1921, after the British occupation, Ireland naturally decided to adopt green as the symbol of the nation, but it is also the color of spring.
Other legends tell that the color green refers to the nickname given to Ireland, namely « the Emerald Isle », because of its green landscapes.
