St. Patrick's Day has been a Religious Holiday ever since the ninth century. It was named after the Saint Patrick of the Patrons Saints of Ireland. Back then the color was Blue. They made the color Blue because of the color that the Patrons wore.
Then in the 17th century the color changed to Green. They changed the color because of the the clovers and the shamrocks.
This day is observed my many Religions. Some of them are the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox and the Lutherans. There are more but these are the ones that observed this day back then.
In the 17th Century this day became a Feast Day and a celebration for the Irish. This also became a public holiday in Ireland. They made St. Patrick's Day on March 17th so it didn't interfere with the Holy Week. Holy Week is Palm Sunday and Lent.
In 1903 St. Patrick's Day became an Official Public Holiday in Ireland. This was with the help of the bank act 1903 an act of the United Kingdom Parliament. This was introduced by Irish MP James O'Mara. He is the person that helped get this day for a holiday for the Irish culture.
The first parade was held in the Irish Free State of Dublin in 1931. They had to close the pubs and bars down because to many people were drinking and getting really out of hand. Starting fights in the middle of the streets and in the bars and pubs.
The first festival was held on March 17, 1996 this was a one day event. Then in 1997 it became a three day event and in 2000 it became a four day event. In 2000 there was more than 675,000 people at the festival. The festival included concerts, bands, the parade, theatre performances and fireworks.
The biggest celebration was held in Downpatrick, County Down. They had more than 2,000 participants and 82 floats, bands and performers. This was in 2004 and it was a week long festival.
In 2007 Vincent Twomey wrote this " It is time to reclaim St. Patrick's Day as a Church Festival." They are worried that this day has gotten way out of hand.
This is how the Holiday St. Patrick's Day had started many years ago.
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10 comments:
Why thank you Bear, that's exactly how my grandpa explained it to me. And he was at those wild events in Dublin
Being Irish, you'd think I would know that. NOT.
Thanks for posting Bear
So how did Corn Beef and Cabbage become the main food of the day?
I could see potato soup; didn't people survive on tators due to a famine?
The Irish know how to party!
Thank you for the comments.
Ser I do not know how they came up with the Corned Beef and Cabbage for a dinner. But I will let you know that Corned Beef is real good and I really don't care for Cabbage.
Jed I am glad your grandpa had a good time at the festivals.
Mary don't worry I didn't either until I looked it up for my post.
Orbs yes they do know how to party and I will say very well.
We need to give credit to wikipedia for the information.
THB, you came after the big lectures and beatings by "those who shall remain unnamed" about citing your sources... :) Thanks for your first post and welcome to the world of irregularity!
I'm thinking those foods were "common" foods: things that could be made cheaply with lesser cuts of meat and cabbage was plentiful and not costly.
Very informative Tender Bear and welcome to the JTI! Talk about the luck of the Irish!
THB, you came after the big lectures and beatings by "those who shall remain unnamed" about citing your sources... :)
Source: KK March 17, 2011 6:45 PM
I got my ass chewed on laugh'in...
Sources? We ain't got no sources. We don't need no sources. I don't have to show you any stinking sources!
Congratulations on your first JTI blog, THB.
Corned beef and cabbage is primarily an American tradition, the Irish are not likely to be eating corned beef and cabbage on St. Paddy's day.
Also, St. Paddy's is a Catholic holiday and is celebrated mainly in the Republic of Ireland which has always been traditionally Catholic.
St. Paddy's day is probably celebrated more extensively in the USA than anywhere else as a partying type celebration, it was only viewed as a religious observation previously in Ireland but the American traditions are carrying over to (The Republic of) Ireland too.
Northern Ireland is predominantly Protestant so most would not likely be celebrating St. Patrick's day. Also, the color of the Protestants is orange. The differences between Protestant and Catholic and green & orange is still taken quite seriously in Ireland. But thankfully the fighting between the two has calmed down in recent years.
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