A Little History
Interestingly, St. Patrick was actually not Irish; rather he was born in Great Britain. The story goes that he was kidnapped by Pirates from his farm in Britain, and held in captivity for over six years in Ireland. After his brave escape, this highly religious man went on a crusade to bring Christianity to the people of Ireland, and he used the clover as a symbol for the Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. As a result, the Irish consider St. Paddy's Day to be religious in nature and therefore it is held in such high regard as Easter and Christmas.Although there is no proof, it is widely believed that March 17th is the date of St. Patrick's death, not his birth. The shamrock is the national flower of Ireland, and on this most special day of the year, the Irish celebrate by wearing green. It is actually an American invention to drink green beer, although the Irish would probably not turn their noses up at this cool beverage. If you are hoping to kick up you heels on March 17th, you are certainly in good company. Let's take a look at some great celebration ideas.
Celebration Time
If you are tired of hitting the parade and the local pubs for St. Patrick's Day, you could put a new spin on this Irish tradition this year. If you are truly feeling inspired, you could plan a trip to Ireland to celebrate at the St. Paddy's Day Festival in Dublin. There will be swarms of people whooping it up, so prepare yourself for some serious crowds. If you want a little peace and quiet after this Irish extravaganza, you could hit the countryside for some breathtaking views of Ireland. While you are at it, stop at a family-run pub and enjoy some authentic Irish fare. You are sure to fall in love with the hospitality and congeniality of the Irish people.If your budget won't allow for a true St. Paddy's Day celebration in Dublin, you could plan an intimate dinner party with friends. Perhaps you could ask each guest to bring a traditional Irish course, which would cover dinner from appetizers to desert without one person doing all the work. Invest in a bottle of fine Irish whiskey and enjoy a nice after-dinner drink with friends around a roaring fire. If you have some Irish folk music, throw a CD on and really get into the mood of this festive day.
Another great idea for a St. Patrick's Day celebration is to take in an Irish play at the local theater. During the month of March, many theaters in America run productions by Irish playwrights, so you can truly get a feel for Irish entertainment at its finest. Perhaps you and some friends could enjoy a traditional dinner of corned beef and cabbage at a local pub, and then hit the theater for an evening of song and dance.
Finally, if you would prefer to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in quiet solitude, why not pick up a book by an Irish novelist, and curl up on the couch with a glass of Irish whiskey? Irish literature includes laugh 'til you cry comedy, heart-wrenching memoirs (remember Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt?) riveting fiction, and spellbinding poetry. Whichever genre of literature you prefer, you are sure to spend a wonderful evening enraptured by the Irish author of your choice.
St. Paddy's Day is without a doubt one of the biggest days of the year for all-out fun and celebration. However you choose to celebrate, remember to cast your worries aside and savor the day in full Irish tradition.
