It is his Pillar, his Assumption. Saint Patrick is the patron of Ireland , its great national holiday of Catholic origin, but already extended to secular life. they celebrate every March 17 since 1631 and not only within the island.
The historical Irish emigration and the happiness of a day painted green has made the celebration spread to many other parts of the world. In New York, for example, although it is not a day without work, it is a big day.
WHO WAS SAINT PATRICK AND WHY IS HE CELEBRATED?
There are many legends around who was saint patrick , but the most widely supported story is that he was a Roman citizen of Britain, enslaved and sent to Ireland.
Once on the island and free -it is not known whether he escaped or was released-, he converted to Catholicism, became a priest (it is believed that it was then that he was renamed Patricius, derived from a father figure in Latin) and dedicated himself to preaching the religion among the pagan Irish. He died in the fifth century, on March 17, but it was in 1631 that the Irish Catholic Church declared the day of his death a public holiday to honor the memory of the evangelist and patron of him.
In principle, it was just another religious festival. Something calm and relaxed. But since it fell in the middle of Lent, the Church itself encouraged that it was a day when I could skip abstinence. In 1720 he declared that "it was out of control" and it was never controlled again. Not only in Ireland, but in all those places in the world where the Irish emigrated, Saint Patrick is celebrated by getting together with friends drinking, eating and laughing.
Obviously, it was one of Barney's favorite parties.
WHY SHOULD YOU WEAR GREEN?
Because today green is the official color of Ireland. But it was not always like this. In fact, Saint Patrick was associated with the color blue until the Irish rebellion against the British in 1798. On that day, the British wore red and the Irish chose its opposite, green, and rose up singing The Wearing of the Green.
In the United States it is a day when they even dye rivers and fountains green. Maybe there is a limit.
SHOULD YOU DRINK GREEN BEER?
We were talking about this limit. No you don't have to drink green beer . Although its origin is not very clear, it is certain that it took place in New York, between 1910 and 1914. Different bartenders appropriate the invention that is nothing more than beer with coloring. Whoever created it did so with the nostalgic spirit of an Irishman far from his land wanting his parishioners to consume his invention and the idea caught on.
Since then, and especially from the 1950s, green beer has become the official drink of each Saint Patrick's Day , but not in Ireland, but in the United States. Even today, North American university students gobble it up mercilessly on a big day for them, not because of tradition, but because it catches them in the middle of their famous and outdated Spring Break or about to start it.
AND WHY DO THEY WEAR A CLOVER?
The green three-leaf clover (not four) It has been associated with Saint Patrick almost since the Irish Catholic Church began to celebrate him and consider him their patron saint. The three leaves represented the Holy Trinity , and it didn't hurt that it was once considered a symbol of good luck. The fact that it is also green has been perfect to round off a party that bets everything on green.
What of the leprechaun, or those little fanciful beings, it's already a bit more controversial because for a while the world laughed at the Irish using these goblins dressed in green and still sometimes get upset that their folkloric creature is misused.
The day to go green.
WHERE TO CELEBRATE IT IN MADRID?
The good thing about this party is that it is easy to celebrate : following the tradition and without offending, you can simply wear a green detail and have a few beers with friends. Find the nearest Irish pub and there you will find the perfect atmosphere. In the James Joyce Pub , for example, the celebration will last all week. Other classics are already Irish Corner, Dubliners…