Five Methods For Honoring St. Patrick’s Day
On St. Patrick’s Day, people all over the world celebrate with green, Shamrocks, parades, and Guinness. It’s simple to get caught up in the festivities, but why is it observed all over the world?
Saint Patrick, the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland, is honored on St. Patrick’s Day. He was captured as a slave to look after sheep in the fifth century Britain by Irish marauders while he was just a young boy. He made it back to England, where he saw a vision from God telling him to go back and aid the Irish people.
To assist in converting the Irish to Christianity, he took vows as a priest, adopted the name Patrick, and returned to Ireland in 432 AD. He shared Christian teachings with the populace and taught his disciples about the Holy Trinity by using a shamrock. According to legend, he expelled all the snakes from Ireland. Given the rarity of snakes in Ireland, it is thought to be a metaphor for Saint Patrick driving out the pagan religion from the nation.
Saint Patrick passed away on March 17, 461 AD, and his passing is still remembered today. The day is a joyous occasion for many people because it heralds the glorious beginning of Spring and bids cruel Winter goodnight.
All Irish businesses used to close on this day, which was originally observed as a holy day, so that people may attend church services. The feast of Saint Patrick’s permitted people to have a day off from the fasting requirements of Lent because it fell during that season. They would celebrate the day by drinking a few pints of ale, as is still common in today’s celebrations.
Ireland experienced a terrible potato famine in the 19th century that left many people starving to death in their own houses. As a result, a sizable number of Irish ex-pats left their lush nation and immigrated to far-off places like Canada, Australia, and America. When the Irish moved there, they also brought their traditions and festivals.
Now that you are knowledgeable about the origins of St. Patrick’s Day and the reasons why it is celebrated all over the world, what can you do to honor this unique Irish tradition?
1. Don a Shamrock and wear green:
The Shamrock is frequently used to symbolize Ireland because of its close ties to Saint Patrick and his teachings. Shamrocks were once worn by the Irish as a symbol of their Irish Christian pride, but as the day progressed, wearing green became more popular.
Clovers are frequently used in décor and face paint on this day even though shamrocks don’t exist because they resemble the leaves.
2. Consume some classic cuisine:
Boiling bacon, potatoes, and soda bread was the traditional Irish St. Patrick’s Day fare, but nowadays, a variety of meals are eaten to celebrate the holiday! Irish immigrants to America saw that beef was utilized in place of bacon since it was less expensive. They would slowly boil it with cabbage and tenderize it using corned beef brine.
Of course, a variety of foods, such as Irish Beef Stew, Irish Boxty, and Dublin Coddle, are now consumed in celebration.
3. Take in a Parade:
In Boston in 1737, the first St. Patrick’s Day celebration in colonial America took place. Now that it is a national holiday, the largest and rowdiest St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in New York City on Fifth Avenue. Because it has been going on for more than 250 years, 150,000 to 250,000 people participate in the march.
4. Cheers!
You’ll never be far from an Irish pub because of how the Irish migrated all over the world during the potato famine! You may find an Irish pub anywhere from Melbourne to Rio that serves the national beverage, Guinness. This Dublin-born Irish dry stout is regarded as the country’s national alcoholic beverage.
Why not try cooking with the black stuff instead of toasting with a pint of it? We tried an Ox and Guinness Pie in the BCS kitchen, and it was blooming’ wonderful!
5. Get Baking
Why not try a little baking if you’re feeling extra adventurous and in need of some delectable green-themed foods? Although fairly flamboyant, making the typical colorful cakes will be enjoyable!
Recipe for Green Velvet Cake:
Chocolate Cakes made with Guinness:
St. Patrick’s Day Crispy Snacks:
Drunken Grasshopper Fudge:
Cookie cups with gold coins:
Enjoy yourself and keep in mind the origins of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world!
How are you going to observe the day?