How much do you know about St Patrick's Day?
Everyone knows about this very special festival, which makes March 17 a public holiday in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Today, St. Patrick's Day has become an occasion for beer and whisky tasting, festive parades and partying with friends. However, this day has a very special cultural character, especially for Irish Christians and people of Irish nationality living in other countries. Here are a few anecdotes for those of you planning to celebrate!
- St Patrick was not originally Irish, but was born in Britain in the late 4th century. He was captured and held prisoner in Ireland for 6 years, before escaping to return home and become a priest.
- Legend has it that St. Patrick succeeded in driving snakes out of Ireland. In reality, there were very few snakes in the country. It's more a metaphor for the fact that he sought to replace ancient pagan traditions with Christianity.
- St. Patrick's Day is celebrated not only in Ireland, but also in Canada, in the province of Newfoundland, and in the United States. An estimated 30 million Americans have Irish ancestors.
- It wasn't until the 18th century that the color green became associated with this celebration.
- The traditional dish for St. Patrick's Day is corned beef with cabbage and potatoes.
A few St Patrick's Day vocabulary words!
Shamrock - The three-leaf clover symbolizing the Republic of Ireland
Emerald Isle: nickname given to Ireland by the poet William Drennan.
Fiddle : Specific name given to the fiddle in the Irish appellation, widely used in traditional music.
St. Paddy's Day - Another more informal name for St. Patrick's Day
Irish Tricolour: designates the Irish flag
Pot of Gold: Imaginary treasure, usually linked to leprechauns. It is said to be found at the foot of a rainbow.
Shillelagh: A club-like weapon much in evidence in Irish folklore.
And if you haven't yet planned your trip to Ireland, take a look at our destinations in Cork and Dublin!
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