Today millions of people across the globe are celebrating Saint Patricks Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick or Paddy’s Day. This celebration is held on the 17th of March as it is the date that the foremost patron Saint of Ireland passed away.
People celebrate Irish heritage and culture around the world by drinking Irish beer, whiskey and cider, and wearing green.
Fun Fact: Legend states that Saint Patrick used the 3 leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish.
Famous landmarks all over the world have been lit up over the years in the colour green on Saint Patricks Day. The first landmarks to light up were the Sky Tower in Auckland and our very own Sydney Opera House. Over 300 landmarks have gone green over the years for the celebration.
Fun Fact: In Waterford 1903 saw the first Saint Patricks Day in Ireland and that year also saw the week of Saint Patricks Day become known as Irish Language Week.
In New York City over 255 years ago the very first recorded Saint Patricks Day Parade was held on March 17th 1762. It started with Irish soldiers and some of the English Military marching through New York City celebrating their beloved homeland and their patron Saint. The annual parade travels up 5th Avenue from 44th to 79th Streets and there are over 150,000 participants that join the parade every year. During the parade people sing, play instruments, march and do a Celtic dance or jig while wearing traditional Irish clothes and green decorations to entertain the crowds. The streets are lined with grand stands which are full of spectators and roughly 2 million people watch on their T.V’s.
Fun Fact: Saint Patrick was actually born in Roman Britain and was kidnapped and taken to Ireland.
Happy Saint Patricks Day everyone!