As Sunday, March 17, approaches, cities are preparing to dye their rivers green, the head politician of Ireland is set to visit the U.S. to meet with the president, and patrons eagerly anticipate clinking mugs full of green beer.
St. Patrick’s Day is upon us, and while it may serve as an informal drinking holiday for many Americans, it holds a significant place as a national holiday in Ireland, serving as a source of great pride.
To delve into the backstory of this celebrated day, news agency previously had the opportunity to speak with Elizabeth Stack, the executive director of Albany’s Irish American Heritage Museum, and Brian Witt, the cultural exhibits coordinator for Milwaukee Irish Fest.
What does St. Patrick’s Day symbolize?
St. Patrick, revered as the patron saint of Ireland, endured enslavement after being taken to Ireland. Despite his challenging circumstances, he eventually escaped and returned to Ireland, where he significantly contributed to the spread of Christianity across the land.
Witt suggests that St. Patrick’s Day provides an opportunity for both Irish and Irish Americans to honor and celebrate their cultural heritage. Stack further reinforces this idea, emphasizing that the festivities, including parades held in various locations like the United States and England, serve as a recognition of the Irish community’s positive impact on society and their integration as valued members of their respective communities.
Stack mentioned that St. Patrick’s Day was originally a somber religious observance and only adopted the drinking stereotype when America began commemorating the occasion.
Despite its evolution, St. Patrick’s Day remains a significant bank holiday and family-oriented day in Ireland, even though St. Patrick himself is believed to have been born in Britain.
Why is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on March 17th?
March 17th marks the date of St. Patrick’s death.
Here are some statistics regarding Irish people in America, as per a press release from the U.S. Census Bureau:
– In 2022, 30.7 million U.S. residents claimed Irish ancestry.
– Cook County, Illinois, including Chicago, has the highest Irish-American population in the nation, with 418,997 residents.
– Additionally, 112,251 U.S. residents were born in Ireland.
The traditional color linked with St. Patrick is not green but blue. St. Patrick was historically associated with the color blue. So why has green become the dominant hue?
Witt offers insight, stating, “Irish Americans wore green as a symbol of their nationalism above all else.” He further explains that the colors of the Irish flag—green, white, and orange—hold significance, with green representing Irish nationalism, orange symbolizing the Orangemen of the north, and white symbolizing peace. Stack adds to this, mentioning the popular belief that wearing green makes one “invisible to leprechauns,” a myth she notes originated in America.