For people all over the world, St Patrick’s Day is a time to get jolly and break out the shamrock flags. For those unfamiliar or those who've taken the festivities a little too far, it's a confusing sea of green. Never fear, we at The Flag Shop have got all you need to know about the March 17th celebration—all in one place!
History of St Patrick’s Day
Strangely enough, St Patrick’s Day doesn’t commemorate the Patron Saint’s birth. Nor does it have much at all to do with snakes, which he supposedly chased into the sea, according to legend. Instead, March 17th in the year 461 is when St Patrick is believed to have died and is a celebration of his life. So traditionally, the event has been a celebration of the introduction of Christianity to Ireland. Broadly, it's now also a celebration of Irish culture and their rich history.
In the past and to this day, St Patrick’s Day means parades, parties and revelry. Where Christians are taking part in Lent, St Patrick’s Day is sometimes ‘a day of reprieve’ from the dietary restrictions they take on. Whether that means cabbage, corned beef, alcohol, or some other divergence from Lenten diet, it can be seen as somewhat akin to the festival’s roots as a feast day. In Ireland itself, most of you will know, it’s a national day off work for many. But it’s also a brilliant time for Irish people everywhere to break out the green, white and orange for a day of festivities.
How To Celebrate
Of course, at The Flag Shop, we are big fans of colour and jollity! It’s why we love St Patrick’s Day, a very popular time for parades and merry-making. In modern times, this means that pubs, bars, restaurants, and shops tend to be festooned with Irish flags. Expect parade routes to be marked with vibrant Giant Ireland Bunting, St Patrick’s Day Flags, and hard-to-miss Ireland Flags. Needless to say, expect nothing less from your local pub, where festival-goers will often head to drink beer from kegs topped with Ireland Table Flags. One thing’s for sure, if you want to celebrate a Modern St Patrick’s Day, there’s no need to despair if you’re can’t be in the Emerald Isle itself.
There’s similarly no need to fret if you’re not a big drinker either, despite the bad rap that modern festivities sometimes receive. St Patrick’s Day Celebrations can be a great opportunity to educate the young ones about Irish culture. Why not have a fun St Patrick’s Day party that’s based on the theme? Kids will love taking part in fun and games amidst the St Patrick’s Day Bunting, and it’s a nice opportunity to teach them about traditional lore.
Do the little ones know the lucky symbolism behind Shamrock Bunting? Have they heard about cheeky little fictitious Leprechauns? Why not organize a treasure hunt for a legendary ‘pot of gold’? (They’re probably too young for the boozy kind of St Patrick’s Day gold!) We’re pretty sure they’ll be open-mouthed w
hen you tell them the legend of St Patrick and the snakes, for one...Also, here’s one nice phrase to use for a start: “Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit!” is Irish for Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Where to join in the festivities
Anywhere you care to spread good cheer and good luck with your Shamrock flag!
According to some sources, upward of 70 million people not living in Ireland may be able to trace their roots back to the Emerald Isle—at least in some form or another. Why? It’s at least partly due to potatoes (or at least potato blight), in the 19th Century, that led to large-scale Irish emigration. And it’s partly why St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in so many countries worldwide.
But first, if you find yourself in Dublin, you’ll find yourself amongst a sea of Irish Shamrock flags—the city hosts the largest parade with more than half a million attendees. If you’re headed to the city centre, you’ll find the city actually comes to life for four days between the 14th and 17th. It won’t be hard to find a whisky or beer tasting amongst all the music and fairground attractions!
This side of the Irish Sea, you’ll also be hard-pressed not to spot St Patrick’s Cross if you’re heading into London. This year, St Patrick’s Day London 2019 will be mainly in Trafalgar Square between the 15th and 17th. With around 125,000 expected party-goers, Irish folk shows, and ceilidh dancing, you may need a special twist on your Irish flag to stand out from the rest. A good excuse to order your Ireland Smiley Face Flag before anything else!
The festival also has a huge presence in New York, where the parade travels all the way from 44th Street to 5th Avenue. Never been to the States? You’ll probably be surprised to hear, the St Patrick’s Day parade is actually one of the city’s biggest and most long-running parades of all!
So get ready right here with us for your celebrations. And Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit from The Flag Shop!