Touring Ireland

St. Patrick's Day (10 Facts )

1. St. Patrick wasn't Irish.

Patrick's parents were Roman citizens living in Scotland or Wales.


2. There were never any snakes in Ireland to banish!

Ireland never had any snakes!

It is believed snakes refer to pagan religious beliefs and practices.

3. March 17th is the day St. Patrick died

4. St. Patrick's Day was an alcohol free holiday.

In Irish law from 1903 to 1970, St. Patrick's Day was declared a day of religious observance.

Which meant all pubs were closed for the day.

This law was overturned in 1970, when St. Patrick's Day was reclassified as a national holiday.


5. St Patrick's colour was actually blue not green.

In fact most of the country, including its flag, were represented by blue.

In 1798 the colour green became officially associated with the day.

6.The shamrock is not the symbol of Ireland.

The Harp is!!

The shamrock is the national flower of Ireland.


7. The 1st St Patrick's Parade was in America.

The first recorded St Patrick’s Day celebration was in New York in 1762.


8. St Patrick's Day is celebrated in Space.

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in countries across the globe, and even in lower orbit.

It’s been marked several times on NASA’s International Space Station.

9. Don't pinch me!

The tradition in America is to pinch anyone who isn't wearing green on St. Patrick's Day.

Legend has it that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns.......who pinch anyone they see!


10.Happy Maewyn Day.

St Patrick's given name was Maewyn Succat.

We could be celebrating “Maewyn Day” instead of “St Patrick’s Day” if his name was not changed when he was ordained as a priest.


One Bonus fact!!

11.Did he even use a Shamrock?

Although it’s widely believed that Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to describe the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, there’s no written mention of this until as late as the 1600's.