🍀 St. Patrick’s Day: how to celebrate Ireland’s main holiday 🇮🇪
What does the whole world thank Ireland for? For nature, Cillian Murphy and classical literature tour? Let us not diminish the dignity of these symbols of the country. However, there is a more significant achievement on the list that glorified Ireland several centuries ago. St. Patrick's Day has long gone beyond the boundaries of one state and spread throughout the entire planet. Let's understand the customs, history and leisure options so that you can spend this day on the highest note.
Origin of the holiday
The tradition of venerating the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, dates back to the distant 4th century. But the date of March 17 remains unchanged. When Saint Patrick was 16 years old, he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. The young man managed to escape, but in 432 he returned and gave the country Christianity. During his life, the national hero founded numerous monasteries, schools and churches, for which the locals never tire of thanking him to this day.
The Irish moved to the United States and other countries and invariably spread the culture of celebrating St. Patrick's Day to all corners of the globe. Thanks to the efforts of immigrants, a local tradition has become the heritage of all humanity.
At the same time, different parts of the planet have their own celebration traditions. In some places, everything is limited to preparing classic Irish dishes, and in others they even decorate houses with green decor and set traps for leprechauns. This is what makes St. Patrick's Day special and close to everyone.
Festive table dishes
St. Patrick's Day isn't complete without salted beef and cabbage. By the way, the combination of these products refers more to the Irish-American culture than just to the Irish. Initially, the Irish preferred local bacon exclusively, but in the 1900s, emigrants to the United States turned their attention to corned beef, which was cheaper and more accessible. Don’t be surprised, but it was precisely on this principle that cabbage appeared on the table.
Trefoils and their meaning
These small green plants are a symbol of the holiday and the whole nation. Not a single themed costume or decorative element on March 17 is complete without shamrocks. But if you manage to “drown the shamrock,” then expect great luck.
According to legend, in one of the pubs, St. Patrick was served a half-empty glass of whiskey. He reminded that the devil deals with dishonest people, and the employee of the establishment was seriously frightened. But on the next visit, each visitor’s glass of alcohol was filled to the brim. After this incident, locals dip shamrocks into glasses of whiskey and glorify the man who rid Ireland of snakes.
Who are leprechauns
Leprechauns are an integral symbol of St. Patrick's Day. They were originally called lobaircin, which translated means “short man.” Obviously, the belief in these heroes is based on Celtic mythology with fairies and other creatures that align themselves with the forces of good and evil.
In traditional culture, leprechauns were portrayed as wayward characters who repaired fairies' shoes. But their character is hardly worth envying, because little people often resorted to cunning and intrigue to protect their jewelry.
By the way, Leprechaun Day is celebrated on May 13, but on St. Patrick's Day you can see dozens of people dressed as these controversial characters on the streets and in pubs.
Traditional parades
Large-scale street processions in honor of St. Patrick's Day have only become more popular over the years. The first parade in the United States took place in 1760 in Boston, and for more than 260 years, not a single March 17th, either in New York or Chicago, has passed without this element. Moreover, the residents of Chicago even managed to paint the river green. Who can impose competition in such a love for the holiday?
Perhaps only the Irish themselves. Every year, Dublin and Belfast host the largest parades. Thousands of locals take to the city streets to enjoy traditional music, see the costumes of the participants and drown in a sea of green, white and orange decor, symbolizing the colors of the national flag.
We're sure you won't be able to guess where else they go crazy for St. Patrick's Day. In Japan! Yes, yes, in one of the most developed Asian countries there is even a themed festival “I Love Ireland”, and processions in Tokyo at different times attracted up to 180,000 fans. In addition, the Japanese adore Irish dancing and music and, it seems, are ready to compete in this skill with the bearers of the culture.
What else do Ireland and Japan have in common? Cherry blossoms! If you stay in a European country until April, you will see an indescribable spectacle with a pink carpet of cherry petals that will remain in your memory for a long time. We advise you not to waste time and book last-minute trips to get to Dublin on favorable terms in the near future. If you are planning to go on a business trip to Ireland, then searching for plane tickets will save time and budget on organizing your trip.