Fun Facts regarding St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day brings to mind Kelly green, shamrocks, leprechauns, and all things Irish. What is I that makes everyone want to be Irish for the day? How did the day come about and what are the reasons for the celebration and tradition?

According to GPB media St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the Roman Catholic feast day of the patron Saint of Ireland. Patrick wasn’t the saint’s real name he was born Maewyn and he wasn’t Irish he was born in Roman Britain. He was brought to Ireland as a slave. He escaped Ireland, but in 432 he returned as a missionary to convert the Druids at Tara and got rid of their pagan rituals. Patrick became a bishop and after his death he was made a saint. In Ireland St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated like Christmas and Easter.

The first parade

The Irish that went to America were the ones who celebrated the day with parades and as a way to keep their Irish roots.

The first parade was formed by Revolutionary soldiers in the United States in Boston.

The largest Irish parade has taken placed in New York City since 1762 and it draws one million people on that day.

Why the wearing of the green?

The Irish that went to America were the ones who celebrated the day with parades and as a way to keep their Irish roots. The color green represents spring, Ireland and the shamrock.

What City was the first to dye the river green for St. Patrick’s Day?

The first city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a green river was Chicago. The mayor Richard J. Daley and Stephen M. Bailey a chairman for the St. Patrick’s Day committee thought of the idea in 1962.

What foods are good to eat on St. Patrick’s Day?

The Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a course that usually would be served on a Sunday. It could be a lamb stew, roast beef or salmon. A more American tradition is corned beef and cabbage. The immigrants who lived in New York and the eastern cities found corned beef more readily available and replaced ham with it.

Leprechauns

Leprechauns are Irish, but they don’t belong in the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. They are mean little creatures and it is said having them as part of the holiday is like having a celebration of Big Foot during the 4^th of July. They don’t really go together.

Green beer

New York or Boston got the ball rolling for green beer. In 1914 the first glass of green beer appeared as a celebration for St. Patrick’s Day at a social club. In the 1950’s it started to become even more popular. Miami University in Oxford, Ohio came up with Green Beer Day.

Shamrock

Shamrocks were used by St. Patrick to explain the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This is the clover to use not the four leaf clover

Blue used to be the color for St. Patrick’s Day

It is said for many years blue was the color used for St. Patrick’s Day because green was considered unlucky. St. Patrick’s blue was considered symbolic of Ireland for many centuries.

Guinness beer sales soar during St. Patrick’s Day

5.5 million drinks are used each day of Guinness beer around the world, but on St. Patrick’s Day that figure doubles. Cheers. In America it is a day of beer drinking, but in Ireland since the 1970’s the pubs are closed because of the religious aspects of the holiday.

Irish Tunes to celebrate the day

What are some traditional Irish songs that can help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Whiskey in the Jar-The Dubliners

Wild Rover-The Dubliners and the Pogues

Drunken Sailor -The Irish Rovers

When Irish Eyes are Smiling-Bing Crosby

Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral (That’s an Irish Lullaby -Bing Crosby

Rising of the Moon-The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem

Danny Boy-John McDermott

Brennan on the Moor- The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem

Shipping off to Boston-Dropkick Murphys

Galway Girl-Gerrard Butler

Wasn’t That a Party-The Irish Rovers TV opening

Four Green Fields- Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers

Leaving of Liverpool- Lou Killen, the Clancy Brothers and The Irish Rovers

I hope this article found you wanting to celebrate the day by either wearing some green, drinking some beer, or by eating some tasty Irish food. Here is an Irish proverb to bless you by:

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!