March 17—not just an ordinary day for many families, groups, and even cities throughout the world. Parties, parades, rivers dyed green, and other festive activities celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and honor people of Irish heritage. It’s no surprise, then, that Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland is also widely celebrated. After all, who would celebrate the patron saint of Ireland more than the Irish themselves?
If you have Irish heritage, you may have thought about going to Ireland to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day the Irish way. Read on to learn more about Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland!
Why Do the Irish Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?
Saint Patrick’s Day honors the life of Ireland’s primary patron saint, Saint Patrick, who was responsible for bringing Christianity to Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day takes place on the day he was believed to have died, and honors the saint for all he did for the Emerald Isle.
Who Was Saint Patrick?
Born in the late AD 300s, Saint Patrick lived with his family in Roman Britain, but was captured as a teenager by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. After 6 years in Ireland, he escaped back to Britain and was reunited with his family. Some time after returning home, he chose to return to Ireland and introduce its people to Christianity. He stayed in Ireland until his death in AD 461 and established churches, monasteries, and schools on the island.
Many legends have grown up about Saint Patrick. It is said that he drove the snakes from Ireland, used a shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity, and fasted for 40 days on the mountain of Croagh Patrick.
A History of Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day was celebrated as a feast day as early as the 9th or 10th century in Ireland. In 1631, the Catholic Church established an official Feast of Saint Patrick. The Feast of Saint Patrick was a day for both worship and celebration. After a morning church service, families would return home to feast and celebrate. Because Saint Patrick’s Day occurred in the middle of Lent, the holiday became a break from the restrictions normally followed during Lent. This exception might explain why the holiday gradually became more and more festive.
It was Irish immigrants, however, that transformed Saint Patrick’s Day into the celebration we see today. The first Saint Patrick’s Day parade was organized in 1601 at a Spanish colony in what is now Florida by an Irish vicar. As more Irish immigrants traveled to the United States, Saint Patrick’s Day grew in popularity, and its focus changed. Slowly, Saint Patrick’s Day went from a celebration of Ireland’s patron saint to a celebration of all things Irish, a day to truly take pride in one’s Irish heritage.
How Is St. Patrick’s Day Celebrated in Ireland?
Just as the meaning of Saint Patrick’s Day shifted for Irish immigrants, so have celebrations in Ireland changed dramatically over the past few decades. Many traditions that began overseas have been adopted by the Irish—although many activities are for the tourists who travel to Ireland to celebrate.
Saint Patrick’s Day Traditions in Ireland
In less-visited areas of Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is a quieter, more family-oriented holiday than the raucous celebrations that may occur in other areas of the world. Saint Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Ireland, meaning that banks and schools are closed. Many people begin the day by attending mass, and families often have a large feast after the church services. Traditional foods include colcannon, soda bread ,stew, bacon and cabbage, roasted lamb, glazed carrots, and roasted potatoes.
Another Saint Patrick’s Day tradition is pinning a bouquet of live shamrocks to one’s lapel to show reverence for Saint Patrick. Other people wear pins or badges shaped like the 3-leaved clover to honor this tradition.
As in other countries, many people wear green, and many buildings are lit with green lights to commemorate the day. Venders sell green-dyed foods and drinks, especially in highly populated areas.
For some, pubs are also an integral part of Saint Patrick’s Day, and many pubs host concerts, traditional céilí dances, and other events that bring patrons together to enjoy on the holiday.
Visiting Ireland on Saint Patrick’s Day
If you’re considering celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland, you’re spoiled for choice! Most major cities—and some smaller ones—have parades, festivals, and other events to celebrate the holiday. Here are a few to choose from:
Armagh, Northern Ireland
The city of Armagh in Northern Ireland has a unique connection to Saint Patrick. Two cathedrals are named in his honor, and Armagh is where Saint Patrick established his first church. The city celebrates with a weeklong festival that fuses the best elements of the religious and secular sides of the holiday. This festival includes the Vigil Walk, a torch-lit procession that connects both of Saint Patrick’s cathedrals, walking tours of the city, open-air concerts, and of course a parade.
Dublin
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated with a multi-day festival in Dublin , the capital of Ireland. The celebration includes a massive parade, carnivals, and entertainment across the city. Live music, street theatre, and art exhibits bring the city to life.
Kilkenny
Visit Kilkenny, Ireland, to experience a Saint Patrick’s Day with a medieval twist. The city of Kilkenny features a 12th-century castle as well as many other examples of medieval architecture. Kilkenny’s St Patrick’s Day includes a festival with an open-air market, live bands, archaeology experiences, and a fair.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Saint Patrick’s Day in Belfast, Northern Ireland, lasts a full 2 weeks and, like the other cities mentioned, includes music festivals and a parade. It also features Féile an Earraigh, a culture and arts festival that is meant to promote Irish culture, music, and language. Belfast is located in the heartland of Saint Patrick—near Armagh and Downpatrick, where Saint Patrick is buried. If you’re looking to spend Saint Patrick’s Day learning more about the saint himself, this is the place!
Discover Your Irish Heritage
If you have Irish ancestry, Saint Patrick’s Day is an excellent opportunity to connect with your family’s heritage. Another great way to connect is to learn more about your ancestors themselves. FamilySearch has recently released several new Irish record collections that may have information about your family, adding to the millions of records already in our database. Give them a look—who knows what you could discover!
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