Saint Patrick’s Day is a well known holiday from Ireland and observed all over the world. It is a cultural and religious celebration held on the 17th of March, the death date of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It’s meant to commemorate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and be a general celebration of Irish heritage and culture.
You might be surprised that Saint Patrick actually wasn’t Irish, but a 5th-century Roman-British lad. At sixteen he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. After six years he escaped and returned home to Britain where he became a priest before eventually returning to Ireland to evangelize the northern half of the country, converting thousands of people. The iconic shamrock is what Saint Patrick was believed to have used to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the then Celtic Pagans of Ireland.
Most of us are pretty familiar with the public parades and festivals, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks among many other different customs depending on where you are. The day is celebrated from the traditional home of the Feast of Saint Patrick to many other countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia, even all the way to Oceania in Australia and New Zealand! The first recorded celebration of the holiday in North America is believed to be in the year 1600, and the first parade being the following year of 1601 both in St. Augustine, Florida.
Some of the largest celebrations outside of Ireland typically happen close to home in cities like Boston, New York City, and right here in Chicago! Most Chicagoans are no doubt familiar with the now over 60 year old tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green. Chicago itself also has a long history of its strong Irish American presence and culture. The city has three different parades in downtown, the south side, and the north side.
The South SIde Irish Parade was started in 1981 by a pair of best friends who thought they needed a way for kids to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. The parade’s route still goes down Western Ave to this day. Downtown there are events like the festival at the Irish American Heritage Center and the Old St. Patrick’s Church’s Shamrock’n the Block. Both events featuring all sorts of ways to embrace the day such as all the different food, live music and dance, along with plenty of other child appropriate and specific activities
St. Patrick’s Day has adapted and evolved in many ways, some that come with more criticism than the rest. Many find that it’s recently become too commercialized for an event meant to celebrate culture and history, and the associations with public intoxication and disorderliness diminish the honoring of Saint Patrick and Irish identity.
Negative stereotypes and discrimination of the Irish unfortunately have just as long a history in the US as Irish people themselves. Anti-Irish sentiments in the 19th century portrayed them as violent alcoholic beast. Some Irish people even find things like the use of Leprechauns offensive, feeling they are used to portray some of those outdated caricatures. Also, despite having some of the largest celebrations in the US, cities like Boston and NYC have even previously banned LGBT groups and organizations from participating in St. Patrick’s Day parades in their cities. Thankfully things slowly began to change in 2014 after the supreme court’s decision on Hurley v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Group of Boston.
At its core, the celebration is simply intended to appreciate the history of Ireland alongside commemorating an important part of it’s religious history. The hearty and hardy people of Ireland and the Irish diaspora have plenty of culture to admire and share: from their art, music and dance, to literature, mythologies and folklore. Its an ancient culture that values mateship, generosity, humor, warmth and cheerful celebration despite all the adversities they’ve faced as nothing less than a proud and strong people. Days meant to celebrate one’s culture and history should always be respected and celebrated no matter where your ancestors originate from or migrated to.
Don’t worry if you don’t have any Irish ancestors in your family tree— no need to get rid of your favorite green accessories and sweaters or skip the enticing green cocktails. It is a celebration after all, so just celebrate mindfully and responsibly!
And as one of the many blessings of the Emerald Isle suggests:
