Every March 17th, people around the world don their best green attire, enjoy festive parades, and raise a glass to St. Patrick’s Day. But beyond the shamrocks, bagpipes, and celebratory pints, the holiday has a deep history rooted in faith, tradition, and Irish heritage.

The Man Behind the Celebration
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, wasn’t actually Irish. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders at the age of 16 and enslaved in Ireland for several years. During his captivity, he turned to Christianity for solace and, after escaping, eventually became a priest. Later, he returned to Ireland as a missionary, spreading Christianity and establishing churches and schools throughout the country.

Many legends surround St. Patrick, the most famous being that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. While the story is symbolic—there were never snakes in Ireland—it represents how he helped eradicate pagan practices. Another well-known tradition attributes the shamrock to him, as he supposedly used the three-leaf clover to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity.

From Religious Feast to Global Celebration
Originally, St. Patrick’s Day was a solemn religious holiday in Ireland, observed with church services and feasts in his honor. But as Irish immigrants spread across the world, particularly to the United States, the holiday evolved into a broader celebration of Irish identity and culture.

The first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade didn’t take place in Ireland—it actually happened in 1737 in Boston, organized by Irish immigrants. New York City followed with its own parade in 1762, and today, it hosts the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world. Ireland itself only embraced the more festive aspects of the holiday in the 20th century, eventually turning it into the national celebration we know today.

Traditions and Festivities
While the holiday started as a religious observance, modern St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are filled with lively traditions. People wear green (a tradition tied to Ireland’s nickname, the “Emerald Isle”) and pinch those who don’t—an American custom that likely emerged in the 1700s. Cities dye rivers and fountains green, with Chicago famously turning its river emerald since 1962. Of course, Irish music, food, and drinks are at the heart of the festivities, with pints of Guinness and plates of corned beef and cabbage being staples of the day.

Whether you’re Irish by blood or just in spirit, St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate community, history, and a bit of good luck. Join us at 1710 Tavern as we raise a toast to the Irish and the rich traditions that make this day so special! Sláinte!