Happy St. Patrick's Day
Hi everyone here at WA!
Today, as you all know, is St. Patrick's Day.
Quick BackgroundSaint Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland but he was actually not Irish. He was originally born in Britain.
His actual name was Maewyn Succat. He lived in the 5th century but was abducted at age 16 and taken into bondage in Ireland.
After escaping, he later returned to the country where he was acknowledged for having brought the Christian religion to the people there.
The death of Saint Patrick was believed to be on March 17, 461.
Over the centuries, it is believed that St. Patrick explained the Holy Trinity using the three-leaved clover that is native to Ireland - the shamrock.
For the past thousand years or so, the great feast of St. Patrick has been observed on March 17th.
Fun Facts- today, more than 200 countries around the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day
- many comfort foods are eaten (i.e. corned beef and cabbage, colcannon, Irish soda bread, Guinness pot pie)
- shamrocks were considered a sacred plant
- leprechauns are based on Celtic fairies
- the first St. Patrick's Day parade was in New York City in 1762 and has happened every year except 2020
- an estimated 13 million pints of Guinness will be drunk today
- people wear green to avoid the pinch of a leprechaun
- there are no female leprechauns
- every year since 1962, the Chicago River has been dyed green to mark the occasion (see below)
- it used to be a dry holiday until the 1970s in Ireland and Northern Ireland
- in mythology, St. Patrick was said to have driven all snakes out of Ireland
- today is the biggest bar day in the USA with sales estimated at $6.86 billion
So however you're celebrating St. Patrick's Day, make it grand and have a pint or two!
Enjoy this celebratory holiday that will always have a deep page in the history books.
Cheers!
Recent Comments
39
Hi, Susan
Such an interesting post!
I had a patient that was born in Ireland. She claimed nobody eats the corned beef dinner on St Patrick's day.
Also, an Irish physician friend wears a blue suit to the hospital every year, which he says is the proper color, not green.
I lived in Chicago for one year while doing my medical school clinical clerkships. They do indeed dye the Chicago river green and have wonderful celebrations throughout the day and night!
I hope you're having a wonderful time! 😎
Better make that 13 million and one pints of Guinness! 🍀🍺
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Hi Frank! Haha…people are funny. I’ll bet the green river must be something to see.
I hope you’re enjoying your feast. Enjoy a few pints this evening!
Rick On! 🤘🎸
I had a great day and ate way too much, as usual! I hope you did, too, Susan! 😎
Haha, desert time soon. 🍰 🍀🎸
Thanks so much, Mike! I think between us we've covered lots of great information. Have a super evening! ☘️👍
This was an excellent post, Susan! I have learned a lot today!
Happy St. Patty's Day!
Jeff🐶🐶😹😎🍺🍀
Happy St Paddy's day Susan and some very interesting facts here, but.... when you say 13 million pints of Guinness will be drunk today, surely that's just in Ireland!!
Take care my friend and have a great one!!
👍🤣🍻😊
Happy St. Paddy's to you too, Nick! Glad you enjoyed the factoids. I believe the 13 million pints are worldwide, but I wouldn't be surprised knowing the Irish lol! Have a great evening, my friend! ☘️🍻👍😂
Thanks dear friend!!
The last time I visited my family in Ireland we must have got close to that number in a weekend so it's highly unlikely it's a global number!!!
🤣👍😊🍻
Haha…if your family is there then I can totally believe!! Did anyone say pub lol? Enjoy your weekend, dear friend. 😂👍🏻🍻😊
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day Susan!!!
Cheers,
Maria 🌹🍀
Thanks, Maria! You too. 🌹☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️😊😊😊😊😊