Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2021: Celebrate All About the Irish, Their History and Culture
St. Patrick’s Day, also known as the Feast of St. Patrick, is celebrated on the 17th of March each year, in honor of the patron saint of Ireland. It is a legally recognized holiday in Ireland, Canada, and the United States, and is celebrated by Irish and non-Irish alike.
It is a day to remember the rich heritage, culture and traditions of the Irish. Whether you celebrate it with a family-focused getaway, a wild parade and street party, or just a cozy gathering with friends, St. Patrick’s Day is a day for all to have some fun and learn a bit about the history, traditions and culture of the Irish. With that, here are some ideas for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2021.
History of St. Patrick’s Day
The first St. Patrick’s Day celebration was held in the seventeenth century in the city of Dublin, Ireland. In honor of Ireland’s patron saint it was decided to have a religious feast day.
In the mid-18th century, Irish immigrants brought the tradition to North America. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York on March 17, 1762.
Since then, the Irish have become an integral part of American culture. They have made many valuable contributions in fields like music, literature, education, and politics. The Irish now make celebrations of this day a fun and entertaining feature of every St. Patrick’s Day.
Symbols of St. Patrick’s Day
The shamrock is the most widely recognized symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, often seen on decorations and clothing that sport the color green. The shamrock is a three-leaf clover that is said to bring good luck.
The harp is another symbol commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day. The traditional symbol of Ireland, the harp commonly appears on Irish flags, coins and banknotes.
Other symbols of St. Patrick’s Day include the shamrock shake, Irish step dancing, and the leprechaun.
Music and Festivals
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations typically include folk music, dancing, and other festivities. Irish bands are popular, and festivals featuring traditional Irish music and dancing are held all over the world.
The most famous St. Patrick’s Day festival is the St Patrick’s Festival, held every year in Dublin, Ireland. The city celebrates for around a week, with music, parades, parties, and other activities.
The Irish love for music is legendary, and their traditional instruments are a beloved part of their cultural heritage. The fiddle, tin whistle, concertina, accordion and uilleann pipes are just a few of the instruments that are typically heard at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Food and Drinks
Food plays an important role in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, with many traditional dishes served up. Stout, a type of beer made from roasted unmalted barley, is the traditional beverage, but other beers and ales—especially anything in green—are also popular.
Popular dishes, fit for St. Patrick’s Day, include Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and seafood chowder. Foods in the shape of the shamrock or any type of green food are very popular as well.
Activities to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
There are lots of fun activities and games to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Rainbow scavenger hunts, “pin the shamrock on the leprechaun”, and “hunt for the pot of gold” are all family-friendly activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Irish-themed trivia is a popular way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You can have teams of people square off against each other in a battle to see who knows the most about Irish history and culture.
Decorating for St. Patrick’s Day is also always popular, with green, shamrocks, and other iconography used to create a festive atmosphere.
St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate the history, culture and traditions of the Irish, and to have some fun in the process. Whether it’s with an activity, a song, the traditional food, or even a drink, there are plenty of ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year. So grab some friends, family, and perhaps a shamrock or two, and get ready to mark St. Patrick’s Day 2021 in style!
