The luck of the Irish … to be sure
You don’t need to be of Irish ancestry to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Celebrating the patron saint of Ireland has almost become an annual ritual for many Aussies. And on Monday we get the opportunity to do it all again.
Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain and lived from around 389 to 461 AD. He was kidnapped by pirates at sixteen and taken to Ireland as a slave. After six years he escaped, became a missionary and returned to Ireland to spread Christianity. He is credited with converting many Irish to Christianity and establishing monasteries, schools, and churches. Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
Saint Patrick’s Day is known for its parades. Sydney, Melbourne and other cities and towns across the country host parades featuring bagpipers, Irish dancers, marching bands, and floats adorned with shamrocks and leprechauns. For example, the Sydney Saint Patrick’s Day Parade attracts thousands, with many donning green outfits and waving Irish flags.
Green attire is a feature of the celebrations. People wear green clothing and even paint their faces to mark the occasion. The colour green, which is associated with Ireland and Saint Patrick himself, is a symbol of luck, nature, and the country’s lush landscape.
And if that’s not enough, many people imbibe green drinks and eat green food, particularly in bars and restaurants. Pubs and bars are the focus of many festivities, often hosting Saint Patrick’s Day parties with live music.
Guinness, an iconic Irish beer, is a popular beverage, and many pubs offer special promotions and Irish-inspired menus. Live performances by Irish bands, featuring folk music and jigs, keep the crowds entertained.
Community events and festivals are also common on Saint Patrick’s Day. These can range from food and drink festivals to family-friendly events like fairs, which include Irish dancing performances, markets, and traditional games. In smaller towns and rural areas, the celebrations might be more intimate, often focused on local clubs or community halls.
With its parades, green attire, pub culture, and community events, it’s a day where people from all walks of life can gather to share in the spirit of fun and camaraderie, honouring the Irish legacy that has contributed much to Australian society over the past 200 years.
St Patrick in Irish folklore
- St Patrick’s father Calpurnius was a tax collector and civil magistrate for the Roman empire
- While being held hostage by Irish pirates, Patrick had a deep spiritual conversation
- Around 441 AD he travelled to Rome and collected relics of St Peter and St Paul
- Following his spiritual conversion while being held hostage, Patrick went to Gaul and studied to become a deacon
- The other patron saints of Ireland are Brigid of Kildare and Columba
- After the Bishop of Ireland Palladius died, Patrick was consecrated the new Bishop of Ireland
- The kings of many Irish clans persecuted Christians, but Patrick tried to convert the kings to Christianity and his persistence often prevailed
- It is said that Patrick cast out all snakes from Ireland
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