ST PATRICK’S DAY.
St Patrick’s Day, or the celebration of Ireland’s patron saint St. Patrick, is celebrated every year March 17, and is the most important holiday of the year in the Republic of Ireland. For this occasion, the whole island and the capital city turn green and come alive with festivities, concerts, parades, fireworks and lots of fun. It is also the most beloved and heartfelt holiday for the Irish people living abroad, celebrating the very strong sense of belonging to the Irish homeland.In fact, St. Patrick’s Day represents for all expatriate communities, the symbol of their national identity. During the days of St. Paddy’s, Ireland is dressed in green, and above all, Dublin is transformed into a continuous party, a concentration of festivals, frenzy and merriment, as well as many musical and cultural events scattered throughout the city! This occasion attracts young people and tourists from all over the world, and the city becomes one big joyful and colorful event that winds its way through parades, fireworks, rivers of beer (Guinness is the most drunk) and traditional music sessions in pubs, in a unique and engaging atmosphere that spills out from the venues into the streets and squares of the city! In short, it is impossible not to get swept up in this collective celebration that is so much fun and special.
EVENTS
On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland is all one festival, from north to south. The largest festival is definitely the one held in Dublin. Initially conceived on a single day, today the St. Patrick’s Festival stretches over a week and attracts an ever-growing international audience: not only Irish by birth, but also everyone who feels Irish in their hearts in some way. The capital is transformed into a stage, where street performers and bands from all over the world improvise concerts on street corners, where the sheer madness, fun and magic typical of these festive days reigns! The highlight on those days is the March 17 parade that starts at 12 noon from Parnell Square. While in the past the one in New York was considered the most spectacular in the world, this is no longer the case: the Dublin parade has grown in size over the years, showcasing not only the best Irish talent, but also international talent. Fun is guaranteed for all tastes and ages! Beyond Dublin, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated just about everywhere but clearly the biggest events are organized in the cities.
ABOUT THE SAINT
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and is celebrated on March 17 throughout Ireland and wherever there is an Irish community. What everyone may not know, however, is that so much has been written about him and so much has been said but never has there been a definitive solution as to what his life really was. Starting from the date of his birth to the date of his death, through his unfortunate events, nothing is given for certain. This has led to the emergence of numerous legends that, more often than not, are in stark contrast to each other. Aware of the fact that there is no single truth and that we ourselves do not know, for certain, which of these legends is the most true, we have preferred to report documentation that takes into account the differences with other versions. After learning the Gaelic language and the practices of the Druids, one day after 6 years of captivity and 2 unsuccessful attempts, rebelling against his master, Patrick escaped and, walking about 184 miles, clandestinely boarded a ship bound for England. Legend has it that he had previously had a vision of a ship waiting for him. During those six years, Patrick notes in his Confessions that he was transformed into a very believing boy who prayed day and night.
ABOUT THE SAINT
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and is celebrated on March 17 throughout Ireland and wherever there is an Irish community. What everyone may not know, however, is that so much has been written about him and so much has been said but never has there been a definitive solution as to what his life really was. Starting from the date of his birth to the date of his death, through his unfortunate events, nothing is given for certain. This has led to the emergence of numerous legends that, more often than not, are in stark contrast to each other. Aware of the fact that there is no single truth and that we ourselves do not know, for certain, which of these legends is the most true, we have preferred to report documentation that takes into account the differences with other versions. After learning the Gaelic language and the practices of the Druids, one day after 6 years of captivity and 2 unsuccessful attempts, rebelling against his master, Patrick escaped and, walking about 184 miles, clandestinely boarded a ship bound for England. Legend has it that he had previously had a vision of a ship waiting for him. During those six years, Patrick notes in his Confessions that he was transformed into a very believing boy who prayed day and night.
TRIFLOWER
The official symbol of Ireland is the Celtic harp, but clover also has a special meaning for the Irish people, so much so that it is often associated with the green island, more so than the harp itself. Irish clover is called shamrock (seamrog in Gaelic = “summer plant”) and is a quality of clover, “trifolium repens,” characterized in summer by the flowering of countless little white flowers. Clover is first mentioned as an emblem in 1681, in the journal of Thomas Dinely, who traveled in Ireland during the reign of Charles II. Dinely associated the wearing of the shamrock with the lower social classes. Wearing the shamrock were, in fact, only peasants. Even Jonathan Swift in his writings, observed how the Irish visiting London wore crosses and not shamrocks. This was because only wealthy and/or aristocratic people were visiting London. The shamrock was also a symbol of rebellion and independence from the British Crown during Victoria’s reign (1837-1901). Wearing the shamrock on military or civilian clothing (“wearing of the green)” had become a source of national pride. According to tradition, St. Patrick used the shamrock during his mission to convert to Catholicism in Ireland to illustrate the concept of the trinity to the Celts. Today it is difficult to declare the legends surrounding clover true or not, but it must be remembered that this plant was already important to the Celtic Druids, long before the arrival of St. Patrick.
HISTORY
It may seem strange, but the main event on the Irish calendar did not originate in Ireland, but saw its first celebrations in London and America. For starters, the earliest record of a St. Patrick’s Day celebrated outside Ireland is provided by Jonathan Swift, the Dublin-based author of Gulliver’s Travels. In his Diary to Stella he noted that in 1713 the Westminster Parliament was closed because it was St. Patrick’s Day and that London was so full of decorations that he thought the whole world was Irish. Landing in America, however, the first gathering of Irishmen in honor of St. Patrick’s Day was on March 17, 1737 in Boston. Although today St. Patrick’s Day is closely associated with Catholics, it should be pointed out that then the protagonists of the first celebrations were Irish Protestants who had emigrated to America and that, in most cases, Catholics were strictly excluded. Only later, between the 19th and 20th centuries, did Catholics join the St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The Irish have played a key role in American history. During the Seven Years’ War they even fought on both the English and French fronts. In 1757 English troops encamped at Fort Henry were attacked on St. Patrick’s Day by French troops. The French contingent consisted mainly of Irishmen. These thought that the Irish in the English army would be the weakest, given the feast day.
