Although most Americans may not realize, Saint Patrick’s Day is more than just a holiday to get drunk.
Originating in Ireland in 1631, Saint Patrick’s Day is a holiday meant to memorialize the Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, who converted many into the Christian religion. He died around the fifth century, more than a millennium before the festivities started! Allegedly born as Maewyn Succat, it is rumored he changed his name to Patricius (Patrick), which means “father figure” in Latin. Supposedly it also relates to luck, which is the reason behind all the themed holiday merchandise!
How is Saint Patrick’s Day celebrated in Ireland, the country that started it all?
In Ireland, the holiday is not about huge festivities and getting excessively intoxicated; rather, it’s about spending time with family and honoring the Saint. “I’m not really sure how the Irish celebrate,” expresses Eleni Nikas (’27), “I think they just come together as a family and do something. I don’t know”. Every year on the 17th of March, families attend church together, and public spaces such as school are closed, as it is a holy day of obligation. On their coats, children can be seen sporting decorative badges made with white, green, and orange ribbons, alongside pictures of Saint Patrick or shamrocks. Adults can be seen sporting small bouquets of live shamrocks pinned to their coats. For dinner at the end of the day, families indulge in a hearty, classic, home-made Irish meal of a roast, potatoes, and other root vegetables embellished with mint sauce among other things. A major misconception is that the Irish go to the pub to celebrate the occasion, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Until very recently, the 1970’s,
pubs in the country were ordered to remain closed on the holiday by the government, to deter any rowdiness and remind people what the day is really for – honoring the Patron Saint.
How is Saint Patrick’s Day celebrated in the United States, the country known for its over the top celebrations? 
Known for its festive spirit, no wonder the United States goes all out for a holiday that isn’t even native to the country! Celebrations last all day, with party people ranging from the youngest of school kids whose classrooms get ransacked by a leprechaun, to adults who indulge in green beers. To usher in the day, many Americans wear green to show off their festivity – but beware! If you don’t you might get pinched! Parades are a common sight to see in any major city, with notable parades being held in NYC, San Francisco, and Boston. There, floats, marching bands, and dancers are a common sight to see. With many cities hosting spectacular parades, one is typically on the top of the list for “going all out” – Chicago, Illinois. Famous for its extravagant parties, Chicago goes all out, with dying its river a vibrant hue of green! Annually, up to 100 pounds of dye have been dumped in the river to turn it green, turning the city into a Saint Patricks Day landmark to which many flood! “I’ve never actually celebrated,” says Noya Levy (’27), “But I went to Chicago to see the green river. But that’s it pretty much”. To finish off the day, some families treat themselves to an “Irish” dinner of corned beef and cabbage, which isn’t actually Irish at all! If not this, any type of green food will do as Americans celebrate the day of their deep-rooted connections to Ireland.
Symbols of the holiday
While widely confused for a four leaf clover, the Irish Shamrock only has 3 leaves, meant to symbolize the Holy trinity – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Ireland, the shamrock is used to represent Saint Patrick, and his usage of the leaf to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the people he converted.
Leprechauns. Mischievous and silly, these little Irish creatures have just recently become a character of the holiday. In Irish folklore, they are known to be small, cunning supernatural beings that guard a pot of treasure, often gold. In more of an American belief, they can be found at the end of a rainbow. And now if you ever reach the end of one, you might have a chance to enjoy their riches! As the holiday has shifted less towards being a religious based holiday to more of a reason for celebration, leprechauns came with it, adding festivity to any party!
What’s the relation of gingers to Ireland? 
When the topic of being ginger is brought up, many people immediately think of being Irish, and vice versa! Is there a significant amount of ginger people who happen to be Irish, or is it all just an assumption people make from stereotypes? On average, just about 2% of the population exhibits the red-hair traits, but of those people, anywhere from 10% – 30% happen to be Irish! Seems like the misconception might be based on some hint of truth. Not Irish but just ginger, Liel Robet (’28), takes offense to the assumption all gingers must be Irish, exclaiming “Yeah. I’m not Irish. Just because I’m ginger doesnt mean I have a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” On the flip side though, Hannah Jamieson (’27), expresses “ Idon’t really care because I am [Irish], but I know it can make other people mad.” Seems like it just comes down to personal preference when the relation is made between being red-headed and Irish, but one thing is sure. Gingers make the world brighter!
