2008 Woodie Awards
St. Patrick's Day in Ireland:How the real Irish celebrate
Kelly Daley
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: Features
On March 17, millions of Americans will put on green outfits, eat corned beef and cabbage, drink green beer and celebrate with their friends.
But what does Saint Patrick's Day really mean and who was Saint Patrick?
Saint Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland, known mostly for making Christianity popular with the Irish by incorporating elements of Irish culture with the religion. Saint Patrick spread Christianity throughout Ireland for over 30 years and died on March 17, around 490 A.D.
The Irish celebration of their religious feast day is drastically unlike the American celebration.
Junior Jessica Roberts studied abroad in Ireland where she learned that Saint Patrick is very much respected in Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day is a day for remembrance of him as a saint and is celebrated as a religious holiday.
"The Irish treat Saint Patrick's Day almost like any other day. You could tell we were American because we were decked out. The Irish were just going through a normal day. Wearing green and drinking is an American custom," said Roberts.
The March 17 religious feast day celebration in Ireland has morphed into a completely different celebration in the United States.
According to voanews.com, "Saint Patrick's Day has changed over the years. It is no longer a day to celebrate only Saint Patrick, but a day to celebrate all things Irish."
"I like the saying that on Saint Patrick's Day everyone's Irish. I think it's pretty true," said senior Steven Peshler.
There are parades in almost every major city in the United States to celebrate the holiday, all in the name of Irish pride, but not necessarily in remembrance of the saint himself.
The more common traditions of Saint Patrick's Day, such as parades and wearing green were adopted by American culture, considering that the color green was actually considered to be unlucky, according to the Web site nationalgeographic.com.
Still, for students like junior Leah Gallagher, St. Patrick's Day is an opportunity to remember her ancestry.
"When I was younger I would have the whole traditional corned beef and cabbage with my family. My Grandfather always talks about his history on St. Patrick's Day; he's very big on being aware of your history," said Gallagher.
Whether celebrating in a religious sense, celebrating cause of your heritage, or just celebrating for the sake of celebrating, St. Patrick's Day is a day where everyone is Irish and can join the festivities.
But what does Saint Patrick's Day really mean and who was Saint Patrick?
Saint Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland, known mostly for making Christianity popular with the Irish by incorporating elements of Irish culture with the religion. Saint Patrick spread Christianity throughout Ireland for over 30 years and died on March 17, around 490 A.D.
The Irish celebration of their religious feast day is drastically unlike the American celebration.
Junior Jessica Roberts studied abroad in Ireland where she learned that Saint Patrick is very much respected in Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day is a day for remembrance of him as a saint and is celebrated as a religious holiday.
"The Irish treat Saint Patrick's Day almost like any other day. You could tell we were American because we were decked out. The Irish were just going through a normal day. Wearing green and drinking is an American custom," said Roberts.
The March 17 religious feast day celebration in Ireland has morphed into a completely different celebration in the United States.
According to voanews.com, "Saint Patrick's Day has changed over the years. It is no longer a day to celebrate only Saint Patrick, but a day to celebrate all things Irish."
"I like the saying that on Saint Patrick's Day everyone's Irish. I think it's pretty true," said senior Steven Peshler.
There are parades in almost every major city in the United States to celebrate the holiday, all in the name of Irish pride, but not necessarily in remembrance of the saint himself.
The more common traditions of Saint Patrick's Day, such as parades and wearing green were adopted by American culture, considering that the color green was actually considered to be unlucky, according to the Web site nationalgeographic.com.
Still, for students like junior Leah Gallagher, St. Patrick's Day is an opportunity to remember her ancestry.
"When I was younger I would have the whole traditional corned beef and cabbage with my family. My Grandfather always talks about his history on St. Patrick's Day; he's very big on being aware of your history," said Gallagher.
Whether celebrating in a religious sense, celebrating cause of your heritage, or just celebrating for the sake of celebrating, St. Patrick's Day is a day where everyone is Irish and can join the festivities.
Be the first to comment on this story