Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
This fun tradition celebrates Irish culture, and is a great excuse to go celebrate with friends on a work night. In the spirit of St. Patrick himself, people are encouraged to fight for what they believe in, and seek unification through common goals.
Not familiar with the St. Patrick’s Day lore? Here are 5 fun facts about this holiday:
- St. Patrick was not even Irish! The Irish Roadtrip writes, "St. Patrick was born in Roman-Britain (Britain was under Roman rule for 350 years) circa 386 A.D. He didn’t arrive in Ireland until 433." He spent his time all over present-day United Kingdom and France, but felt a calling to tell the Irish people about God. He wrote that he was always drawn back to Ireland, and his remains are believing to be buried at Down Cathedral in County Down, Ireland.
- Green being symbolic for Ireland is a new phenomenon. Mental Floss writes, "ee often associate St. Patrick's Day and Ireland itself with the color green, thanks to the holiday's traditions and the country's lush landscape. However, the first colors used to symbolize Ireland were actually blue and gold. Ireland's most ancient emblem is a golden harp on a blue background. This symbol, linked to Irish identity and sovereignty, predates the widespread use of green as a national color."
- Guinness comes from Ireland, and signed a historic deal for their home in Dublin. Irish Tourist Radio writes, "a handshake, a quill, and forty-five pounds a year, that’s all it took for Arthur Guinness to secure what might be the most audacious real estate deal in commercial history. On December 31, 1759, Guinness signed a lease for a derelict brewery near St. James’s Gate in Dublin that would last 9,000 years."
- The shamrock was never just for good luck, but a symbol for the holy trinity. History.com writes, "the shamrock, a three-leaf clover, has been associated with Ireland for centuries. It was called the 'seamroy' by the Celts and was considered a sacred plant that symbolized the arrival of spring. According to legend, St. Patrick used the plant as a visual guide when explaining the Holy Trinity. By the 17th century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism."
- The first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in America, not Ireland. Time writes, "the first recorded parade on the Catholic Feast Day of St. Patrick was held on March 17, 1601, in a Spanish colony in modern-day St. Augustine, Florida. More than a century later, Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched in Boston in 1737 and in New York City in 1762."
Looking for a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Calgary, Alberta? Check out Things to Do Canada by clicking here!
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