The History of St. Patrick's Day Takes You on a Tour of Ireland

The history of St.Patrick's Day begins, of course, with St. Patrick. He is one of Ireland's beloved patron saints and gets credit for Ireland's conversion to Christianity.

Patrick was born in Britain, kidnapped and taken to Ireland when he was sixteen in the year 389. He worked as a slave tending sheep for six years, escaped to his home, and later came back to Ireland as a missionary.

St. Patrick's Day began as a religious holiday and is still celebrated throughout Ireland on March 17th, the date of Patrick's death. Many Irish people go to church in the morning and party in the afternoon. Some businesses are still closed for the holiday, but the pubs and restaurants are prepared for a big crowd.

If you want to join in for some real Irish fun, go to the St. Patrick's Day parade and party in Dublin. You can join in with the locals and celebrate with food, drink and plenty of authentic music.

The party in Dublin starts four days before St. Patrick's Day and is celebrated with dance, street performances, family carnivals and night festivities. The grand finale is the parade and party on March 17th; over one million people from around the world come together to be Irish for a day.

If you can't make it to Ireland on March 17th, you will find parties all over the world. New York City's Irish celebrate their heritage with a great parade and party. Many Irish from Australia and Canada also remember St. Patrick's Day. You may want to plan your own authentic party and order food from Food Ireland. Their products and service are outstanding.

You will also want to check out Irish Shopping - The Premier web site for Irish Gifts, Jewelry and other Items.

If you would like to read about St. Patrick, you may want to read this biography of the saint:

I would recommend another book if you would like to read more about Irish history. Join author Thomas Cahill as he takes us to the "island of saints and scholars," the Ireland of St. Patrick and the Book of Kells, in his book:

The history of St. Patrick's Day is based on Patrick's travels around Ireland. He taught Christianity and became loved by the people. As you travel in Ireland, you will see that many churches and holy sites are named for St. Patrick. You will also hear about the legends of St. Patrick.

Some of the stories are from books written by two monks named Muirchu and Tireachan. They tell about St. Patrick as a preacher, a fearless missionary and a miracle worker.

You may have heard that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. The history of St. Patrick's Day includes the account that Patrick banished the "demons of paganism". Since the snake was a symbol of pagan worship, Patrick banished the snakes of all kinds.Whatever you believe, you'll see no snakes on your Ireland visit!

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Christian trinity of God. The shamrock is one of Ireland's national symbols; Irish people around the world wear it as a sign of their heritage.

You may want to experience a bit of St. Patrick on your travels through Ireland. You can:

Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin,

Go to the Hill of Slane, in County Meath, where St. Patrick lit the first paschal candle in Ireland,

Climb Croagh Patrick Mountain near Westport where Patrick fasted for forty days. Thousands come to climb to the summit each year on the last Sunday of July and see the chapel at the top which is the highest church in Ireland. The views along the way make the hike an amazing experience.

Take a retreat at the shrine to St. Patrick at Lough Derg (red lake), in County Donegal. This is a serious retreat spot for a quiet day of contemplation or a longer spiritual pilgrimage,
View the statue of St. Patrick at St. Patrick's Shrine, County Down,
Visit St.Patrick's burial site. He died in about 460, and is believed to be buried with St. Brigid, and St. Columba at the Downpatrick Shrine, Downpatrick, in the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, and

Visit the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, just below the gravesite. This exhibition is a multi-media presentation worth seeing.
Wherever you are on March 17th, make a toast to St. Patrick and enjoy the luck of the Irish!

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