St. Patrick's Day: How is it celebrated in Ireland?

The official celebration of St. Patrick's Day is March 17. It is the most important traditional date in Ireland where no one misses this call. Without a doubt, the most famous and representative party in this country takes place in Dublin, where the party lasts 5 days.

It is so full of joy, music, dance, food and drink, that it has spread to various parts of the world where the Irish have taken their tradition to spread it to the rest and make it popular with all sides. But... How is it celebrated in Ireland?The official celebration of St. Patrick's Day is March 17. It is the most important traditional date in Ireland where no one misses this call. Without a doubt, the most famous and representative party in this country takes place in Dublin, where the party lasts 5 days.

It is so full of joy, music, dance, food and drink, that it has spread to various parts of the world where the Irish have taken their tradition to spread it to the rest and make it popular with all sides. But... How is it celebrated in Ireland?

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St. Patrick's Day: How is it celebrated in Ireland?

Chicago, Boston, New York, Sydney and London are just some of the cities where St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in style. By this date the whole environment is dressed in green as it is the characteristic color of this national commemoration.

The origin of Saint Patrick's Day is due to the fact that the Republic of Ireland arose on that date, at the same time that the death of Saint Patrick was remembered, considered the patron saint of this island. Have you ever wondered how they celebrate Saint Patrick's Day (or Saint Patrick's Day) in Ireland?

1. Everything is green

On St. Patrick's Day everything (absolutely everything) is dressed in green. During the four or five days of celebration in Ireland, the decoration, the clothing and even the food are green. It is the characteristic color and it is not a mere coincidence, it is already a tradition and to any where you go in Ireland during these dates this tone will be present in many and varied shapes.

So to be part of the celebration you have to wear at least one green garment. And to be totally in tune with the party, you would have to dress completely in this color and also add a clover on the lapel. This has a special meaning. It is said that St. Patrick carried a shamrock to explain to the pagans the symbolism of the holy trinity, which is why this saint was related not only to the clover but also to the color green.

2. The thematic parade

St Patrick's Day themed parade in Dublin is spectacular. And is not for less. Although this parade is replicated in many of the cities around the world where this typical Irish celebration takes place, without a doubt the parade that is done In Dublin it is by far the best of all, perhaps because it is completely imbued with the spirit of the holidays and the atmosphere of the people who stop by. observe it.

The slogan is that each year the parade for St. Patrick's Day must exceed the previous one. And they always succeed. Walk the main streets of Dublin with floats, dancers, music, costumes, music and lots of joy. Each year a different theme is chosen, although the fundamental pillar is always green and clover, so these two elements will always be present in this great thematic parade.

3. The typical costume

Another key element is the leprechaun costume. This is another custom in the way of celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Ireland. In addition to wearing green clothes, another way to dress is to dress up as a leprechaun. Not only children like to do it, but also adults and people of all ages wear with pride and fun a leprechaun costume, each one to his taste and his shape but without a doubt it is the most recurrent costume in the celebration.

The reason why in Ireland they like this peculiar dress during this festival is that the goblins are considered beings that represent and attract good luck and abundance. One way to honor them and call out that good fortune is to dress up as one of them. So it is common to see people in the street and in pubs wearing bright colors with typical Irish elf shoes and hats.

4. Céilidh

Céilidh is the traditional dance of Ireland. And as expected, he could not miss the most important party in this country. The céilidh is a tradition that has survived to this day even though it dates back many years. In this dance everyone can participate, it is not necessary to have a partner, it is rather something communal where everyone is included and it is a dance the Irish know how to perform very well.

During Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, it is common to hear the typical tunes that accompany the ceilidh dance with violin, accordion and Irish flute everywhere. Without a doubt, they are unmistakable rhythms that are accompanied by a commanding voice that indicates to those who dance the steps to take. It is a tradition where everyone can be included, so while you can, do not miss the opportunity to participate in the céilidh.

5. Traditional irish music

Irish folk music frames St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Although in Dublin or any place where this day is celebrated, you can listen to all kinds of current music, the typical rhythms of the Traditional Irish music is not lacking and they are appreciated by locals and strangers as their sound is undoubtedly recognized by everyone in the world. world. For this reason, without a doubt, music cannot be missed in the streets during this party.

The bagpipes, the Celtic war drum and the Irish flute are just some of the instruments used to perform the folk music of this country. Throughout the 5 days that this festival lasts, the groups that interpret it are present not only in pubs or stages, but on walks through the streets, adding even more joy to St. Patrick.

6. Beer

Irish beer is among the best in the world. So this drink cannot be missing during the most important celebrations in this country. Among the most popular Irish beer brands in the world is Guinness, whose factory is precisely located in Dublin and which has already become a tourist attraction. So during St. Patrick's Day, you definitely can't miss a beer from this brand.

Although the image of green beer has been seen a lot in recent years, the truth is that this is not an Irish invention or at least there is no clear record of its origin. It is believed to have been made in the United States during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and it quickly caught on. The royal tradition in Ireland was to decorate the beer glass with a shamrock, but now it has become more of a tourist attraction to be able to drink green beer.

7. Food

No celebration is complete without food. During the St. Patrick's Day festivities, food is plentiful. This country has a wide gastronomic offer that comes out in any corner of Ireland for the pleasure of visitors. Potato bread, lamb, cabbage and beef are some of the basic ingredients of many typical dishes in this country.

So to close the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day with a flourish, tasting a boxty, coddle, bacon and cabbage, colcannon among other typical foods, is something that cannot be missed. In practically any pub in Dublin or throughout Ireland, you can taste the best dishes of this country obviously accompanied by a beer.

Bibliographic references

• Collins, Stephen. (March 11, 2017). A Short History of Taoisigh Visiting the White House on St Patrick’s Day. Irish Times.
• Santino, Jack (1995). All Around the Year: Holidays and Celebrations in American Life. University of Illinois Press.