May Luck Be with You!
May luck be with you today! Every March 17th, the United States becomes an emerald country for one day. Wearing green clothes and drinking green beer. Or anything green, like green milkshakes, bagels and grits appear on menus. In a leprechaun-worthy shenanigan, Chicago even dyes its river green!
Modern St. Patrick’s Day
Modern day St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, at least in the United States, are likely to be characterized by commercial lucky charms and green beer. All of which has very little to do with the historical figure of the Saint. As it turns out, it took centuries for the holiday to add the elements that now seem crucial to its celebrations. It wasn’t until the early 18th century that many of today’s traditions were kicked into high gear.
Legend Has It
St. Patrick was actually born Maewyn Succat, but changed his name to Patricius (or Patrick). Deriving from the Latin term for “father figure,” after he became a priest. And that his “supposed luck” is the root of all the themed merchandise for the modern St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick may have been the patron saint in Ireland, but many St. Patrick’s Day traditions were born in the United States
Took Hold in America
While St. Patrick’s Day evolved in the 20th century into a ‘party day’ for Americans of all ethnicities, the celebration in Ireland remained solemn. The Connaught Telegraph reported that on March 17, 1952; “St. Patrick’s Day was very much like any other day, only duller.” You see, for decades, Irish laws prohibited pubs from opening on holy days like St. Patrick’s Day. In 1961, the only legal place to get a drink in the Irish Capital on St. Patrick’s Day was the Royal Dublin Dog Show, which naturally attracted those with only a passing canine interest. And suddenly everyone had a dog!
Irish American Traditions
Today many people in Ireland have adopted St. Patrick’s Day traditions from Irish-America, like corned beef and cabbage.
There are some American traditions, however, that might not catch on in Ireland, such as green Guinness….St. Patrick never drank green beer.
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