Luck o’ the Irish to ye!

Today everybody’s Irish and many will be celebrating by wearing green, eating traditional Irish dishes like corned beef and cabbage, and drinking green beer. There will parades, traditional Irish music, and other activities in honor of all things Irish.

But what does the holiday really mean? Why is it a holiday in the first place?

St. Patrick was a Christian missionary in Northern Ireland during the 5^th century. He was the son of a Roman deacon and grandson of a priest. At age 16, his family was attacked by marauders and he was taken into captivity and sold to an Irish chieftain. He spent six year tending sheep before being inspired by God to escape and travel 200 miles to a ship that would eventually take him home. During his travels, he began his religious study and became a missionary. Most of his missionary efforts were focused in Ireland, teaching against the Druids and pagan idols. Legend attributes St. Patrick with driving snakes out of Ireland but this is believed to be a reference to the symbolism of the Druids.

March 17, 493 AD is believed to be the day St. Patrick died, although there is some dispute as to the accuracy of the year. He lived to be an old man and was revered by many who knew him. He is buried in Downpatrick, County Down, Ireland. This day officially became his feast day in the 17^th century.

So now that you know who St. Patrick was, why the shamrocks, leprechauns and green beer?

Shamrocks became a popular symbol of the holiday because St. Patrick reportedly used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Christian Holy Trinity. The leaves of the shamrock represent faith, love and hope. A fourth leaf, of course, represents luck.

As for the leprechauns and green beer, it seems that as the centuries have passed, all things Irish have come to be celebrated on March 17 regardless of their association (… or lack thereof) with St. Patrick. The holiday has become less about the man and what he did than about the history, traditions and symbols of Ireland.

So put on your favorite green clothes, grab a Guinness, and go out in search of leprechauns and four-leaf clovers. Then come home to a nice, big boiled dinner… After all, it’s St. Paddy’s Day!