How to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on the 17th of March, and named in honor of the patron saint of Ireland. The festival commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as celebrating Irish heritage and culture. St. Patrick's Day is now celebrated by many people throughout the world, Irish and non-Irish alike, with food, drink and all things green. Here are some guidelines on how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day Irish-style!

Get Ready to Celebrate

1. 
   1
   Go green. Unless you want to, you don't have to wear a sweater with a giant shamrock on it. (Though that would certainly help you stand out.) The great thing about this holiday is you are free to go as subtle or as wild as you like. St. Patrick's Day t-shirts have been a common article of clothing to wear proudly. Consider the following suggestions when picking out something to wear:

   • An all green t-shirt with optional Irish-related sayings, for example, "Kiss me, I'm Irish!" Note that no real Irish person over the age of ten would be caught dead in one of these. T-shirts with Irish beer monikers such as Harp or Guinness are more acceptable
   • For those who are feeling particularly festive, try buying or making a leprechaun costume, replete with white stockings, green top hat and fake (or real!) red beard.
   • If you're working on March 17th, you can still get into the festive spirit by incorporating a little green into your work attire. Try a green-striped polo or collared shirt, a green or shamrock-dotted tie, or green socks and undies for the closet St.Paddy's Day fans.
2. 
   2
   Accessorize. Buttons, pins and jewelry are all great ways to dress up an outfit. On St. Patrick's Day, they become ways to express the fun side of fashion. Nothing is too gaudy or outlandish. Buttons with clever (or not so clever) sayings are also encouraged. Small shamrock pins are a great and subtle way to express your support of the holiday.

   • It is a tradition in Ireland for all attending parades and generally celebrating to wear a small collection of Shamrock fastened by a clothes pin to your top (in the same place as a badge would be worn).
   • Dying your hair or your pet's fur bright green is also a great way to stand out. Be sure to use a non-toxic dye.
   • It's also common to see kids (and sometimes adults) with their faces painted on St. Patrick's Day, particularly if they're attending the parade. Cute shamrocks on the cheeks are a popular option, along with full-faced Irish flags of green, white and orange.
3. 
   3
   Learn some Irish words and phrases. The Irish have their own distinct dialect of the English language, so if you want to sound like a true Paddy on St. Patrick's day, try sprinkling some of these Hiberno-English gems into your conversation:

   • What's the craic? This phrase can be interpreted as either "How's it going?" or "What's going on?" or "What's up?" and is used in non-formal settings. Craic is a very important word in Ireland and can be used to describe your enjoyment of an event or activity, e.g "How was the party?" "Ah sure, it was great craic altogether!" Use "craic" in the correct context and you'll earn major points with the Irish.
   • Grand. Grand is another multi-purpose word in Hiberno-English. It doesn't mean large or impressive, but rather translates as "fine" or "great" depending on the context. "I'm grand" is a perfectly acceptable reply to the question "How are you?" and means the person is doing just fine. If you ask an Irish person "How did the exam go?" and they reply "It was grand" that means it went okay, it wasn't amazing, but it wasn't a disaster either.
   • Eejit. Eejit is basically the Irish word for idiot. If someone does something silly or stupid, you can comment "Ah ya big eejit!" It's not meant to be offensive, rather it's used to make fun of someone in a playful way.
4. 
   4
   Learn to Irish Dance. Irish dancing is a form of step dancing which is popular both in Ireland and all over the world. Not only will it impress everyone you know, but it's also a fun way to increase flexibility and burn calories! You can learn how to Irish dance by attending classes in your local area or by copying some of the excellent Irish dancing videos and tutorials online. Whip out a few impressive steps and lifts the next time you hear a reel or a jig and nobody will question your Irish credentials.

   • Get some friends together and learn how to céili (kay-lee) dance - a form of Irish social dancing that can be done with as few as two and as many as sixteen people.
   • If you get good enough you can compete in the many feiseanna or Irish dancing competitions that take place all over the world. Even better, you can volunteer to perform in the next St. Patrick's Day parade!
5. 
   5
   Learn a little of the history of St Patrick's Day. St. Patrick's Day has been observed as a religious festival in Ireland for over a thousand years, though it was only recognized as a celebration of Irish culture and heritage in the 1970s.^[1] The day is named in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who has been credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. There are multiple origin stories for St. Patrick, but:

   • Most sources agree that St. Patrick's actual name was Maewyn Succat. They also agree that Maewyn was kidnapped and sold into slavery at age 16 and, to help him endure his enslavement, he turned to God.^[2]
   • Six years after his captivity began, St. Patrick escaped from slavery to France, where he became a priest, and then the second Bishop to Ireland. He spent the next 30 years establishing schools, churches, and monasteries across the country. He brought Christianity widespread acceptance amongst the pagan indigenous peoples.^[3]
   • It is thought that St. Patrick used a shamrock as a metaphor for the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), showing how three individual units could be part of the same body. His parishioners began wearing shamrocks to his church services. Today, "the wearing of the green" on St. Patrick's Day represents spring, shamrocks, and Ireland.

 

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6 essential St. Patrick's Day traditions, myths and more

Who was Saint Patrick? Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day, and who decided pinching was the appropriate reaction if you aren't?

 

Many St. Patrick's Day traditions are rooted in history, while others have evolved over time. We decided to break down the traditions, myths and other lore associated with the holiday.

Who was Saint Patrick?

Every March 17, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. But who was he and why did he get an entire holiday named after him?
Patrick was born in 387 in a British village. He was born to into a wealthy Christian family. Despite his family's devout faith, Patrick didn't get involved in Christianity. At around 16 years old, Irish raiders kidnapped him and brought him to Ireland, where he spent years working as a slave. Patrick tended and herded sheep for years. In his memoir, Patrick wrote that he turned to God to get through the ordeal. After six years in captivity, Patrick said he heard the voice of God tell him to walk 200 miles to the Irish coast. He escaped and walked 200 miles to the coast where he found a ship that eventually took him back home.
Patrick might have left Ireland, but his connection to the people never faded. He said an angel spoke to him in a dream telling him to go back there and become a missionary in the mostly Pagan country. He became ordained and many years later traveled back to Ireland.
Patrick is said to have arrived in Ireland in 433 and started working first to convert chiefs of druid tribes.
There is a legend that he one of the chiefs tried to kill Patrick. After an intervention from God, Patrick converted the chief.
Patrick traveled the country for 40 years converting Ireland to Christianity. He reportedly died in Saul, where he had built his first church in Ireland, on March 17, 461. He is believed to be buried in Down Cathedral in Downpatrick.
Saint Patrick is known as the patron saint of Ireland and a feast and celebration is held every March 17 to celebrate him. For many years, it was only celebrated in Ireland.
In the 1700s, the Irish immigrants held the first Irish parade in New York City.

Myths

One of the most popular myths involving Saint Patrick was that he drove the snakes of Ireland into the sea. He was said to have chased them to the see after they attacked him amid a 40-day fast he was doing on top of a hill.
It is a fascinating story, but not true.
Nigel Monaghan, keeper of natural history at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, told National Geographic that Patrick had nothing to do with there being no snakes in Ireland.
Scientists believe snakes never reached Ireland due to the Ice Age, which make the island too cold for reptiles, according to National Geographic.
Scholars have said the story is an allegory withe serpents being symbols of evil and linked to heathen practices. So, Patrick banishing the snakes could really just mean he was banishing "evil" from the area.

Shamrocks

The legend goes that Patrick used shamrocks or three-leaf clovers to help him explain the Holy Trinity to people. He would point to the leaves and identify each as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
But there is absolutely no evidence he did actually that.
What we do know is that the shamrock is the official symbol for Ireland. It became such a sacred plant there because it symbolized spring, according to History.com. In the 17th century, the shamrock became a symbol of Irish nationalism, with many Irish folks wearing the shamrock as a symbol of pride and as a way to take a stand against the English seizing Irish land and making laws.

Why do people wear green?

Green is one of the colors in Ireland's flag and the country is known as the "Emerald Isle." Also, green is the color of the shamrock. According to Christian Science Monitor, the first color associated with St. Patrick's Day was blue, but it changed to green in the 17th century.
And why do you get pinched if you aren't wearing green?
The tradition was reportedly started by Americans likely in the early 1700s. Revelers apparently thought that if you wore green you would be invisible to leprechauns, which would pinch anyone not wearing green. People started pinching those without green on him as a reminder about the leprechauns.

Leprechauns

And since we just mentioned leprechauns, these mythical creatues first came to light in Irish folklore as far back as the 13th century. They started out as shoemakers, acording to Irish Central.com. Some Irish legends say if you find a one of this tricky creaturs, you can barter his freedom for three wishes.

Corned beef and cabbage

Corned beef and cabbage is a popular Irish meal, but only half of it is considered Irish. Cabbage is a staple of the Irish diet, but it is traditionally eaten with Irish bacon, according to Christian Science Monitor. The tradition of corned beef started in America when Irish immigrants couldn't afford bacon and corned beef was a cheaper alternative.

 

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St Patrick’s Day Celebrations & Traditions 

 

St Patrick’s day is celebrated on March 17, the date of his death. The day is celebrated by millions all over the world and has become one of the most popular cultural events worldwide.
So who was St Patrick? As he was the Patron Saint of Ireland his feast day was important in Ireland’s religious calendar. Popular belief is that he introduced Christianity to Ireland, banished snakes from our island, and used the 3 leaf Shamrock to teach the Holy Trinity. However, these are actually untrue and can be simply classed as Irish folklore.

Typical Traditions & Customs of St Patrick’s Day

There are a number of traditions to consider that are associated with St Patrick’s Day. Some are associated with religious traditions when others relate to people celebrating being Irish for the day, even for those who have no connections with Ireland.

The wearing of the green on St Patrick’s Day

Many people wear something green on St Patrick ’s Day that has become known by many as the wearing of the green to celebrate their Irish heritage.
In Ireland people wear a small bunch of Shamrocks on their right breast rather than wear green clothing to signify their Irishness and its traditional connection with St Patrick. The Shamrocks are blessed at Church ceremonies all over Ireland by either the local priests or Bishops, this is known as Blessing of the Shamrock.
As popularity of St Patrick’s Day grew in the United States so did the tradition of wearing something green. From green hats to shamrock sun glasses everyone today celebrates the Irish culture by wearing something green, even those who have no connections to Ireland.

Holy day of obligation

Most, if not all, practising Christians in Ireland will attend Church on St Patrick’s Day as its a Holy Day of Obligation. Families would dress in their best clothing, with Shamrocks pinned on their breast, and attend Church as a family.
After attending mass families would return home and sit down to a large roast dinner which includes a selection of meat and vegetables served along with roast and mashed potatoes. Alcohol was rarely consumed on this important day and it wasn’t until the 1970’s when pubs were allowed to open by law.
Families would often sit down in front of the television to watch the large St Patrick’s Day parades around the world.

The drinking of green beer

In Ireland you would be hard pushed to find a pub that served green beer and actual fact this is not a typical tradition of Ireland but is that of the U.S. & Canada. Some places in Ireland, such as Dublin, may have a few pubs that will serve green beer but for the most part it’s not something we generally do.
Did you know that pubs in Ireland had to remain shut for St Patrick’s Day? It wasn’t until the late 1970’s the Irish law permitted pubs to open their doors on March 17th.

A day of parades & festivals

Thanks to our cousins in the United States the first St Patrick’s Day parade occurred in New York City during 1766 and today parades are held all over the world inviting millions of people to celebrate being Irish for a day.
Did you know that it wasn’t until 1995 when the Irish government decided to start holding a parade in Dublin, to help boost tourism? It’s now known in Ireland as St Patrick’s festival which takes place over 5 days with events including art shows, plays, concerts, fun fairs and the main parade.

 

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Saint Patrick's Day Traditions

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY TRADITIONS

THE WEARING OF THE GREEN

The tradition of wearing Shamrock to celebrate Saint Patrick seems to date from the seventeenth or eighteenth century. This was a very turbulent time in Irish history. The suppression of the Gaelic way of life by the ruling British invaders resulted in many aspects of the Catholic religion in Ireland being forced underground. Strict laws were enforced which prevented the Catholic population from attending schools so 'hedge-schools' were operated in secret.



These were schools run outdoors in secluded places (sometimes literally 'under a hedge!). The teaching of religion was also forbidden so it is only to be expected that teachers would use naturally available resources to inform their pupils. Thus the Shamrock plant was used to illustrate the message of the Christian Holy Trinity.

Saint Patrick was credited with using the Shamrock in such a manner so the wearing of the Shamrock by the oppressed Catholic population became a means of demonstrating their defiance to the ruling British class. It also imbued a sense of kinship among the native Gaelic people, differentiating them from their oppressors.

Wearing a clump of Shamrock is now a firmly established tradition throughout the world to celebrate not just Saint Patrick but Ireland itself. The Shamrock symbol is widely used by businesses seeking to associate with Ireland and, along with the Harp, is perhaps the single most recognisable symbol of Ireland. It is a shame though that the Shamrock is not a blue plant as the color originally associated with Saint Patrick was blue!

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

Saint Patrick's Day is unique in that it is celebrated worldwide. It is most unusual that a country has such an international celebration and is really evidence of the generational effects of emigration that has afflicted Ireland for centuries. After the 1845 to 1849 Irish Famine emigration soared with as many as a million native Irish leaving their homes in the decades after the famine to settle in places like Boston, New York, Newfoundland, Perth, Sydney and beyond. The US Census Bureau now reports that 34 Million US Citizens claim Irish descent. Most emigrants like to commemorate their heritage and thus the Saint Patrick's Day Parade came into being.



The earliest record of a Saint Patrick's Day Parade was in the year 1762 when Irish soldiers serving in the British Army held a Parade in New York City. Earlier records suggest that the day was celebrated by the Irish in Ireland as early as the ninth and tenth centuries.

Again, this was a very difficult time in Irish history with Viking raiders terrorizing the native Gaelic population. It is thus no surprise then that in times of strife the local population would turn to religion and to a commemoration of their own heritage and individuality - a practice that has been repeated by populations of troubled places since the dawn of time. The New York Parade is now the longest running civilian Parade in the world with as many as three Million spectators watching the Parade of over 150,000 participants.



The first official Parade in Ireland was in 1931. The 1901 law that copper-fastened March 17th as an Irish national holiday was later amended to insist that public houses close down on the day. This restriction was later lifted in the 1970's. In the mid 1990's the Irish Government really started to promote the event when it changed from a single day's Parade into a 5-day festival attracting as many as a million visitors into the country. Parades are now held in just about every major city in the world with the biggest in several US cities reaching epic proportions.



GREENING OF BUILDINGS AND RIVERS

The use of the color green reached new heights (or plunged new depths!) when in 1962 the city of Chicago decided to dye part of the Chicago River green. Since then the campaign to have just about every possible landmark turned green for the day has taken off in earnest and in recent years has included the Irish Parliament building, the Sydney Opera House, the Empire State Building, Niagara Falls and even the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt!

A PINT OF PLAIN

The Irish association with drinking is well known and not always positive. Fortunately there are plenty of examples of the appropriate use of alcohol and Saint Patrick's Day is one of them. It is a widely held tradition in Ireland that beer or whiskey can be taken on Saint Patrick's Day although native Irish pub-goers can only look on aghast as visitors top the heads of their creamy pint of Guinness with a green Shamrock. Sacrilege! It is estimated that as many as 13 Million pints of Guinness are consumed on Saint Patrick's Day, up from the usual 5.5 Million per day!



DRESSING UP

The tradition of dressing up in Irish outfits is not just confined to participants in Parades. Jovial creatures of Irish origin the world over use the opportunity of Saint Patrick's Day to dress up as Leprechaun or even as Saint Patrick himself. Kids love to wear the big green, white and orange hats and receive sweets thrown to them by similarly clad operators of the various Parade floats.

THE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY DINNER

Corned beef and cabbage is as traditional and Irish meal as you will ever find and it is often hauled out for Saint Patrick's Day. Traditional Irish music in the background and a family gathering are other Irish Saint Patrick's Day traditions that have been going on for centuries. 

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St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

 

How to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on the 17th of March, and named in honor of the patron saint of Ireland. The festival commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as celebrating Irish heritage and culture. St. Patrick's Day is now celebrated by many people throughout the world, Irish and non-Irish alike, with food, drink and all things green. Here are some guidelines on how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day Irish-style!

Get Ready to Celebrate

1. 
   1
   Go green. Unless you want to, you don't have to wear a sweater with a giant shamrock on it. (Though that would certainly help you stand out.) The great thing about this holiday is you are free to go as subtle or as wild as you like. St. Patrick's Day t-shirts have been a common article of clothing to wear proudly. Consider the following suggestions when picking out something to wear:

   • An all green t-shirt with optional Irish-related sayings, for example, "Kiss me, I'm Irish!" Note that no real Irish person over the age of ten would be caught dead in one of these. T-shirts with Irish beer monikers such as Harp or Guinness are more acceptable
   • For those who are feeling particularly festive, try buying or making a leprechaun costume, replete with white stockings, green top hat and fake (or real!) red beard.
   • If you're working on March 17th, you can still get into the festive spirit by incorporating a little green into your work attire. Try a green-striped polo or collared shirt, a green or shamrock-dotted tie, or green socks and undies for the closet St.Paddy's Day fans.

   
   

   6 essential St. Patrick's Day traditions, myths and more

   Who was Saint Patrick? Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day, and who decided pinching was the appropriate reaction if you aren't?

    

   Many St. Patrick's Day traditions are rooted in history, while others have evolved over time. We decided to break down the traditions, myths and other lore associated with the holiday.
   

   Who was Saint Patrick?

   Every March 17, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. But who was he and why did he get an entire holiday named after him?
   Patrick was born in 387 in a British village. He was born to into a wealthy Christian family. Despite his family's devout faith, Patrick didn't get involved in Christianity. At around 16 years old, Irish raiders kidnapped him and brought him to Ireland, where he spent years working as a slave. Patrick tended and herded sheep for years. In his memoir, Patrick wrote that he turned to God to get through the ordeal. After six years in captivity, Patrick said he heard the voice of God tell him to walk 200 miles to the Irish coast. He escaped and walked 200 miles to the coast where he found a ship that eventually took him back home.
   Patrick might have left Ireland, but his connection to the people never faded. He said an angel spoke to him in a dream telling him to go back there and become a missionary in the mostly Pagan country. He became ordained and many years later traveled back to Ireland.
   Patrick is said to have arrived in Ireland in 433 and started working first to convert chiefs of druid tribes.
   There is a legend that he one of the chiefs tried to kill Patrick. After an intervention from God, Patrick converted the chief.
   Patrick traveled the country for 40 years converting Ireland to Christianity. He reportedly died in Saul, where he had built his first church in Ireland, on March 17, 461. He is believed to be buried in Down Cathedral in Downpatrick.
   Saint Patrick is known as the patron saint of Ireland and a feast and celebration is held every March 17 to celebrate him. For many years, it was only celebrated in Ireland.
   In the 1700s, the Irish immigrants held the first Irish parade in New York City.
   

   Myths

   One of the most popular myths involving Saint Patrick was that he drove the snakes of Ireland into the sea. He was said to have chased them to the see after they attacked him amid a 40-day fast he was doing on top of a hill.
   It is a fascinating story, but not true.
   Nigel Monaghan, keeper of natural history at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, told National Geographic that Patrick had nothing to do with there being no snakes in Ireland.
   Scientists believe snakes never reached Ireland due to the Ice Age, which make the island too cold for reptiles, according to National Geographic.
   Scholars have said the story is an allegory withe serpents being symbols of evil and linked to heathen practices. So, Patrick banishing the snakes could really just mean he was banishing "evil" from the area.
   

St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

 

St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday known for parades, shamrocks and all things Irish. From leprechauns to the color green, find out how symbols we now associate with St. Patrick’s Day came to be, and learn about a few that are purely American invention.

The Shamrock

The shamrock, which was also called the “seamroy” by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. As the English began to seize Irish land and make laws against the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule.

The color traditionally associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green.

Irish Music

Music is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day—and Irish culture in general. From ancient days of the Celts, music has always been an important part of Irish life. The Celts had an oral culture, where religion, legend and history were passed from one generation to the next by way of stories and songs. After being conquered by the English, and forbidden to speak their own language, the Irish, like other oppressed peoples, turned to music to help them remember important events and hold on to their heritage and history. As it often stirred emotion and helped to galvanize people, music was outlawed by the English. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth I even decreed that all artists and pipers were to be arrested and hanged on the spot.
Today, traditional Irish bands like The Chieftains, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem are gaining worldwide popularity. Their music is produced with instruments that have been used for centuries, including the fiddle, the uilleann pipes (a sort of elaborate bagpipe), the tin whistle (a sort of flute that is actually made of nickel-silver, brass or aluminum) and the bodhran (an ancient type of framedrum that was traditionally used in warfare rather than music).

The Snake

It has long been recounted that, during his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop (which is now called Croagh Patrick), and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland.
In fact, the island nation was never home to any snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” was really a metaphor for the eradication of pagan ideology from Ireland and the triumph of Christianity. Within 200 years of Patrick’s arrival, Ireland was completely Christianized.

Corned Beef

Each year, thousands of Irish Americans gather with their loved ones on St. Patrick’s Day to share a “traditional” meal of corned beef and cabbage.
Though cabbage has long been an Irish food, corned beef only began to be associated with St. Patrick’s Day at the turn of the century.
Irish immigrants living on New York City’s Lower East Side substituted corned beef for their traditional dish of Irish bacon to save money. They learned about the cheaper alternative from their Jewish neighbors.

The Leprechaun

The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is “lobaircin,” meaning “small-bodied fellow.”
Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies, tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Though only minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much-fabled treasure.

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations & Traditions 

 

St Patrick’s day is celebrated on March 17, the date of his death. The day is celebrated by millions all over the world and has become one of the most popular cultural events worldwide.
So who was St Patrick? As he was the Patron Saint of Ireland his feast day was important in Ireland’s religious calendar. Popular belief is that he introduced Christianity to Ireland, banished snakes from our island, and used the 3 leaf Shamrock to teach the Holy Trinity. However, these are actually untrue and can be simply classed as Irish folklore.

Typical Traditions & Customs of St Patrick’s Day

There are a number of traditions to consider that are associated with St Patrick’s Day. Some are associated with religious traditions when others relate to people celebrating being Irish for the day, even for those who have no connections with Ireland.

The wearing of the green on St Patrick’s Day

Many people wear something green on St Patrick ’s Day that has become known by many as the wearing of the green to celebrate their Irish heritage.
In Ireland people wear a small bunch of Shamrocks on their right breast rather than wear green clothing to signify their Irishness and its traditional connection with St Patrick. The Shamrocks are blessed at Church ceremonies all over Ireland by either the local priests or Bishops, this is known as Blessing of the Shamrock.
As popularity of St Patrick’s Day grew in the United States so did the tradition of wearing something green. From green hats to shamrock sun glasses everyone today celebrates the Irish culture by wearing something green, even those who have no connections to Ireland.

Saint Patrick's Day Traditions

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY TRADITIONS

THE WEARING OF THE GREEN

The tradition of wearing Shamrock to celebrate Saint Patrick seems to date from the seventeenth or eighteenth century. This was a very turbulent time in Irish history. The suppression of the Gaelic way of life by the ruling British invaders resulted in many aspects of the Catholic religion in Ireland being forced underground. Strict laws were enforced which prevented the Catholic population from attending schools so 'hedge-schools' were operated in secret.



These were schools run outdoors in secluded places (sometimes literally 'under a hedge!). The teaching of religion was also forbidden so it is only to be expected that teachers would use naturally available resources to inform their pupils. Thus the Shamrock plant was used to illustrate the message of the Christian Holy Trinity.

Saint Patrick was credited with using the Shamrock in such a manner so the wearing of the Shamrock by the oppressed Catholic population became a means of demonstrating their defiance to the ruling British class. It also imbued a sense of kinship among the native Gaelic people, differentiating them from their oppressors.

Wearing a clump of Shamrock is now a firmly established tradition throughout the world to celebrate not just Saint Patrick but Ireland itself. The Shamrock symbol is widely used by businesses seeking to associate with Ireland and, along with the Harp, is perhaps the single most recognisable symbol of Ireland. It is a shame though that the Shamrock is not a blue plant as the color originally associated with Saint Patrick was blue!

Read More