BOSTON - MARCH 15: A member of the Lapel High School Marching Band and Guard marches during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in the South Boston neighborhood on March 15, 2015. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Photo: )
St. Patrick's Day is best known for parades, beer, and turning rivers green, but the holiday has a long history that's more somber than its current incarnation.
Saint Patrick St. Patrick was born around 387 C.E. in Scotland, and turned to God once he was kidnapped by slave traders and brought to Ireland to be a shepherd.
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Saint Patrick journeying to Tara
"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same," he wrote, according to Catholic Online. "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."
He joined the priesthood after his escape at the age of twenty, and eventually became a bishop. Patrick was tasked with the mission of bringing Christianity to Ireland, where he was enormously successful in converting much of the mainly Druid and pagan population.
History St. Patrick's Day originated as a Roman Catholic holiday recognizing St. Patrick, and was brought to America by Irish immigrants as a way of affirming their identity. It's since been adopted by Americans of all backgrounds.
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A members of the Catamount Pipe Band, from Montpelier, Vt., left, blows her bagpipes while marching in a St. Patrick's Day Parade, in Boston's South Boston neighborhood, Sunday, March 17, 2013
Traditions Some Catholics celebrate St. Patrick's feast day by going to mass, while other observers of the holiday wear orange and green and eat cabbage and corned beef. St. Patrick's Day parades are commonly held in many cities.
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Deirdre Kelly, left, Linda Forth, second from left, Darren McCarthy, center, and Eimear Ni Bhriain, of Dublin, Ireland, cheer on the marchers during the 251st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 17, 2012 in New York
Symbols The shamrock is associated with St. Patrick, as he reportedly used the three-leafed plant as a way of explaining the Trinity- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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A man dressed as St. Patrick rides on a float in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Boston, Sunday, March 18, 2012.
NEW YORK CITY
Photo Credit: Stuart Monk / Shutterstock New York hosts the country’s and the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration, with more than two million people gathering for the city’s grand parade on March 17. The march up Fifth Avenue starts at 11 am on 44th Street and lasts about six hours, ending at 79th, with a stop at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral along the way. There are no floats or cars allowed in the parade, which features bands, bagpipes, and dancers, and typically between 150,000 to 250,000 participants. The tradition itself dates back to 1762, making the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade older than the U.S. itself. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s New York City Travel Guide
DUBLIN
Photo Credit: Aitormmfoto / Shutterstock Of course, Dublin hosts one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, with a four-day festival filled with boat races, the Irish Beer & Whiskey Festival, music and street performances, and a spectacular parade. This year the festival runs from March 14 through March 17. The parade, which takes place on St. Patrick’s Day, attracts about half a million spectators to watch the procession from Parnell Square to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. And as part of “greening the city,” major landmarks throughout Dublin, such as the Natural History Museum and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, are given a green glow for the holiday. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Dublin Travel Guide
SYDNEY
Photo Credit: Qhominh | Dreamstime.com The Sydney Opera House turns green for St. Patrick’s Day and so does the rest of the city. With a huge themed parade (dating back more than 200 years) on the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day, there’s also pre- and post- parade entertainment along the streets of Sydney. The parade itself is one of the largest in the world, and the only one organized and sponsored by the Irish Community and Government. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Sydney Travel Guide
CHICAGO
Photo Credit: Thomas Barrat / Shutterstock The city of Chicago truly commits to St. Patrick’s Day by dyeing the Chicago River green every season. The tradition dates back to 1961, when the chairman of the annual parade saw green dye in the river (which at the time was used to identify a sewage problem) and got the idea to use it for the upcoming holiday. On the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, this year falling on March 14, more than 400,000 people gather along the Chicago River to watch 45 pounds of environmentally-safe vegetable dye turn the murky river a bright shade of green. After the morning's dyeing ceremony, even more spectators gather for the city’s parade at noon. The parade lasts about three hours, with dancers and bands making their way up Columbus Drive through Grant Park. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Chicago Travel Guide
MONTREAL
Photo Credit: Photorebelle | Dreamstime.com Since its inauguration in 1824, the Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade has never been cancelled, regardless of poor weather in past years. The festivities take place on the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day and includes floats, bands, and plenty of costumes. The three-hour parade features a massive replica of St. Patrick, which announces the beginning of the celebration. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Montréal Travel Guide
LONDON
Photo Credit: Patrick Wang / Shutterstock On the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day, many gather for the city’s annual parade, where floats and marching bands travel the 1.5-mile route from Green Park to Trafalgar Square. An all-day festival at Trafalgar Square includes music performances, a food market, fashion show, and film festivals. If you get sick of the outdoor celebration, you can stop by any of the nearby Irish pubs, many of which are hosting themed events with music and prizes. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s London Travel Guide
MONTSERRAT
Photo Credit: Wayne Fenton Often referred to as “the Emerald Isle,” this island in the British West Indies is the only place outside of Ireland where St. Patrick’s Day is considered a public holiday. To celebrate, the country has a 10-day festival, which has included a St. Patrick’s Day dinner, a Kite Festival, performances by the emerald Community Singers Irish Cabaret, and more in past years. March 17 also marks the country’s first slave rebellion, leading to additional African and Caribbean festivities in order to commemorate the anniversary. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Montserrat Travel Guide
SAVANNAH
Photo Credit: Andrea Six with Savannah.com With one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world, Savannah’s festivities draw more than 300,000 people each year. The 190th annual parade will feature horses and a variety of floats on March 17. The city’s festivities also include a celebration on River Street, with vendors and live musical performances, and the Tara Feis Irish Celebration, with crafts, storytellers, and musical performances. Even before St. Patrick’s Day itself hits, Savannah hosts a number of smaller parades and celebrations starting in mid-February. One special event is the William Jasper Green ceremony, which honors the Irish men who lost their lives in the Siege of Savannah. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Savannah Travel Guide
MUNICH
Photo Credit: St. Patrick's Day by David Pursehouse CC BY 2.0 With one of the more recently establish St. Patrick’s Day traditions (the parade dates back to 1995), Munich’s festivities are gaining more traction each year. With about 15,000 participants, the city shuts down Leopold Strasse in order to successfully celebrate the Irish holiday. Their 20th annual parade will take place on March 15, followed by an after parade party and “Journey to Ireland” dance and music performance. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Munich Travel Guide
BUENOS AIRES
Photo Credit: Fiesta de San Patricio by Gustavo Facci CC BY-SA 2.0 Not only is Buenos Aires home to the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in South America, but the city is home to the fifth-largest Irish community in the world. The result is a St. Patrick's Day street festival taking up 10 blocks along Reconquista Street, with music and dancing. And their annual parade, which ends at the Plaza San Martín, features Celtic musical selections and a leprechaun costume contest. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Buenos Aires Travel Guide
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