It's The Luck of the Irish Today!

St. Patrick's Day in Ireland.

Recently I was faced with an interesting question about St. Patrick's Day, What is the holiday for and does Ireland celebrate it like America or do they have their own unique traditions? St. Patrick's Day is celebrated every year on March 17th, which was about 2 weeks ago, so this week we will take the time to travel to Ireland to see what St. Patrick's Day is really about.

Let's start with Leprechauns, What are they? Leprechauns did not come into the St. Patrick's Day tradition until later. Leprechauns are said to be shoemakers that that would take their money (gold coins) and hide them away in their homes. Leprechauns were just a form for people to make fun of the Irish and later the myth of the pot of gold being at the end of the rainbow came along. The Irish were hard working men and women who dressed "funny" according to people of their time. The Irish dressed with used clothes of years passed which represent the typical Leprechaun with a short coat vest. Leprechauns serve as a stereotype to Irish people. 

St Patrick's Day is actually a day that celebrates the life of Saint Patrick on his date of death, March 17th. Saint Patrick himself was born into a wealthy Roman British family but was then at age 16 he was kidnapped by Irish raiders. He spent 6 years working as a shepherd and during this time he "found God." God then spoke to Saint Patrick and told him to flee to the coast where there would be a ship waiting to take him home. Once he arrived home he went on to become a priest. According to tradition it was said that Saint Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish into Christianity. 

Fun fact:

The green clover that is a symbol of Saint Patrick on this day is special because it has 3 cloves representing the holy trinity. 

Well my friends, now we have learned the true meaning of St. Patrick's Day! To answer my question in the beginning the Irish do not celebrate this day like America does. The Irish spend more time to appreciate and remember Saint Patrick and what he did for Christianity. The Irish take this day as a day to feast and remember the great St. Patrick. 

Until next time! 

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