St. Patrick's Day Traditions? What are they???

Question

Hi, I'm Irish, and I've been reading some of the questions and answers on this and I'm confused.

Living in Ireland, I'm afraid I'm not particularly au fait with the Paddy's day traditions. Generally we tend to wear green, and/or shamrocks, but what's the story with this pinching business?

And leaving out shoes?

Answer 1

You're right, what the heck is this corned beef and cabbage thing? I'm 100% Irish I have never even heard of this as a food combination!! Is it just me are is anyone else starting to feel a little stereotyped?? The shoe thing is weird too, another myth about the"Oirish".



Generally all St Patrick's Day is is going to mass (if you're religious) that morning - possibly wearing a sprig of shamrock just to get into the spirit, down the pub, possibly wearing something green just for the pure kitsch factor, get drunk, come home. That's it!



St Patrick Joke:

Q. What did St Patrick say as he was driving the snakes out of Ireland??



A. "Are you alright there in the back?"

Answer 2

Well the parades are a big tradition too! Children get the day off school and adults get the day off work (except bar staff who get payed double or triple wages). Spray the hair, dress in green, the whole chi-bang. A good lot of them take part in the parades if they're in the guides or some group.

There's the big match in Croker too! I honestly can't remember who is playing this year but its the All-Ireland final for the town clubs.

Generally the church holds mass as well but since its Easter week they moved Patrick's holy day forward to last Friday.

I think the tradition of having a ceili at the crossroad has died out but there is usually some free concert or traditional dancing session in the bigger of towns.

Cheltingham is now a big event that leads up to St.Paddies day and it generally tells everyone that the big day is coming. tSeactain na Gaeilge (a week that promots the Irish language) is also the week before St. Paddies day but that's always overlooked.



And the green, shamrocks and beer.

Answer 3

We are not big fans of St. Pats but we are all about the holiday. We cook corned beef and soda bread and when I'm not pregnant (which has been every other St. Pats day), we brew some homeade mead (when I'm pregnant my hubby just drinks Guiness). We help the kids make shamrock crafts of some kind and we take a moment to remember the Druids ("snakes") that died. We are of Irish descent and it is a day to remember that and celebrate a little.

Answer 4

Here in the States, it's semi-traditional to pinch someone on St. Patrick's Day if s/he isn't wearing green.



I have NO idea what "leaving out shoes" is supposed to mean.



My roommate's father is from Ireland and her mother is second generation Irish-American. She and her mother refuse to wear green on St. P's Day because not everyone is Irish, but everyone wears green. She does, however, wear shirts that say "St. Patty is my Daddy," and "eejit."

Answer 5

The corned beef tradition started in America in the Irish ghettos of Boston/New York. Like many cultural foods, it was a way to take an inexpensive cut of meat and make it flavorful/tender.

Answer 6

True green-blooded Irish traditions (from small town Co. Cork)



Children: Have a day off school, get excited, dress up in Paddy's Day shamrock stuff made in school or at home, walk in local parade with random groups and clubs and local car showrooms parading their latest lovely models on a float. Cos that's really Paddy's Day related. Eat sweets and fizzy drinks all day. Puke, cry. Go to bed late and get up for school wrecked and with a bad sugar hangover the next day.



Adults (pre having children)

Get up late. Throw on random clothes, maybe green, if you have any. Go to the pub. Watch with delight as 3 generations of families drink together, and various annoying kids, who should be at home in bed, harrass their drunken parents, and then turn on anyone else in the pub who even looks at the. Revel in the guaranteed scraps that will take place around eight o'clock. Stagger home from the pub, via a chipper. Puke. Go to bed late and get up for work wrecked and with a bad hangover the next day.



Fun for all the family!

Answer 7

Actually, this year, St Patrick's Day was yesterday (15th). First time it has not been on 17th since about 1942. The reason for this was that it clashes with Holy Week and Christ is higher in the heirachy than St Patrick so his saints day was moved.

I'm English and only leared this from the radio.

Answer 8

Ha ha ha, plastic paddy's, like that one ha ha. I'm of Irish descent and very proud of it too and always celebrate St Patrick's day but i have to agree with you on a few things, i for one have never heard of corned beef on paddy's day? I know that various Irish clubs in London serve pigs trotters, boiled bacon and cabbage ( my favourite! ) a fair few pints ( or should that be gallons ha ha ) of the black stuff and a jig on the dance floor for afters but silly old Livingstone tries very hard every year to pull in his voters with a parade up in the city. Its very successful by all accounts but its full of what you described - plastic paddys ha ha. Real paddys will have their Irish dinner indoors and a few extra pints of Guinness down the local with their mates and thats it! Its only the English, and those who have a good party just because the sun's out ha ha, that really go to town on the 17th! Happy St Patrick's Day to you, enjoy yourself and stay safe!

Answer 9

What the hell are Jagerbombers? Sonds German to me. Anyrodeup, surely the whole idea about St. Patrick's day is just an advertising scam by Guinness. You don't seriously believe he got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. the guy wasn't even Irish nor was St. George of England English. Don't know about that Scottish geeza or the Welsh one, but Wales has always been a bit of an enigma to me and I'm a half cast Welsh

Answer 10

St Patrick's day has just become an excuse to get drunk, not that we really need one. All the parades in Ireland, except for Dublin, are terrible. Just some poor mortified eejit on a trailer dressed in something his mother made from an old pair of curtains. We celebrate our irishness by gettin blind drunk, smoking far too much and singing loudly and out of tune about the 'dear saint of our isle', the Derry air, and the fields of athenry. So altogether now :





IF YOU'RE IRISH COME INTO THE PARLOUR, THERE'S A WELCOME THERE FOR YOU

AND IF YOUR NAME IS TIMOTHY OR PAT, AS LONG AS YOU COME FROM IRELAND THERE'S A WELCOME ON THE MAT.

Answer 11

St Patrick’s day (Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig ) is all about being proud of your nationality and having a feast to celebrate your patron saint.

You should check out the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin its a 5day festival (bit like Notting hill carnival, but much jollier).

Patrick was actualy an englishman but was captured by the Irish and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he escaped and returned to England and became a Bishop like his fore fathers. He went back to Irland for missionary work. Around the 8th centery he was given sainthood status, it was reported that he lived for 430 odd years (that’s some inning). The 17th of march is one of the most celebrated day by none Irish people, being plastic for the day (any excuse to party), It has been moved to the 15th this year because it falls in Holyweek (the week before Easter) Mad as unreal as it seems but the curch has the power to move it, This last happened in 1940 and is not due to happen again intill the year 2160, follow this link, the lord as my witness I lie not to you http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0718/breaking85.html?via=me

I write this answer on St Patricks day so, enjoy the Corned beef and cabbage and be happy and nice to all, drink sensibly and in moderation.

pyunta Guinness leh duh hull (mines a pint of Guinness, please)

HAPPY ST PADS DAY

Answer 12

hate to tell you but this year st patrick's day is on 15th March. This is because Easter is so early and a saints day is not held in the same week as Easter - wonder how many people realise that!!!!

Its the first time its happened since the 1940's and willnot happen for around another 30 years

Answer 13

Well if you live in England, it seem's to be an excuse for getting as rat ar*sed as possible on Guiness. Then being totally offensive to anyone in the vicinity, and then when you are sober the next day, going back to hating the fu*king Paddy's as per usual.

Answer 14

Over in the UK the principal tradition is drinking enough guinness to 'earn' yourself one of the black furry hats that guinness give away as a promotion around paddy's day. the hollow victory of drinking enough booze to win yourself a cuddly hat staves off the feelings of shame and regret for a couple of hours.

Answer 15

Being Irish myself,I will attend the local parade with my children,go for a spot of lunch and then myself and my wife will drown the Shamrock as only the Irish no how.Happy St.Patrick,s Day to one and all.

Answer 16

its an excuse to go out, wear really daft hats and drink guinness, occasionally put on your best irish accent and singing voice, whilst listening to the strangest of irish folk, playing fiddles and dance around drunk, in a way that bedraggles the mind, i think u call it "riverdance", also you can pretty much make up any 'tradition' you want, like pinching, and blame it on the irish! its one of those days where we wake up the morning after and recall sketchy memories of all of the above, then look forward to st georges day in april!!!

Answer 17

Think perhaps some of the traditions of St.Patricks day have somehow got lost and mixed with other cultures. For example, we have a St.Patricks Day Parade here in London which has only been going for a few short years. This year it's taking place on Sunday through central London somewhere.



My own personal idea of Irish Culture is something like the following, which seems to be to be entirely free of anything remotely 'theme', if you get my meaning : -



YouTube - The Pogues With The Dubliners

the pogues perform the irish rover with the dubliners.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au30c9ZMIPg



You have to admit it is wildly Celtic and Irish of that there's no mistake.



This next video clip of Clannad is what I call the high point of Irish Music - not only is it Irish it also sounds ancient. A Celtic friend of mine from Britanny said she thought she was at home with this kind of music and that it had ancient European Celtic roots : -



YouTube - Clannad - Teir Abhaile (1977)

Clannad,live at The Embankment in Tallaght. ... Would you like to comment?

Join YouTube for a free account, or log in if you are already a member. ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnjP57cic70



Then there is this which many folk think of when asked - "what comes to mind when you think of Ireland"? [no not Guiness] - the music, the poetry and so forth : -



YouTube - Irish Music

Irish dance by Andre Rieu called Irish Washerwomen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-JAP7Kf1cI



Here is one of the greatest Irishmen of all time - only because I am entirely biased and a Socialist - but hey, enjoy: -



YouTube - George Bernard Shaw

The famous irish writer George Bernard Shawhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVbUaYETisQ



GBS once said, "I do not have an Irish accent". You cannot argue with scholars, writers and artists of this calibre.



The problem with Irish traditions is that they have spread far and wide, especially in America. What happens over time is you get add-ons so that the original tradition/culture somehow grows fur and starts to become cluttered with a lot of things which probably have little or nothing to do with celebrating St.Patricks day.



Here's a St.Patrick joke - "What did the great Saint Patrick say to the snakes as he drove them out of Ireland? Are you okay in the back there boys"?



[Just in case you didn't get it, Saint Patrick is driving the snakes out of Ireland in his car...get it? The snakes are all on the back seat...boom boom].



One famous Irishman speaking of another famous Irishman: -



."Mr. Bernard Shaw has no enemies,

but is intensely disliked by all his friends."



Oscar Wilde.



The best way for you to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day is to do it in accordance with your own local Irish traditions and not be bothering about what they do in London, New York or Chicago.

Answer 18

Well, it has always been a good and proper tradition, good manners etc, to wish everyone a happy St. Patricks day, which i most sincerely do to all of you, however poor old Plato has had her wishes removed from Q&A even though it is current news - i withdraw my good wishes from the idiot who reported her and from the moron who then wiped it! However, God still loves an eedjit!

Answer 19

Getting absolutely totally sozzled, dancing and making a complete pratt of yoursevles and generally not caring as you are having such a good time. Can't wait til next St Patrick's Day!!!! Enjoy & Have fun

Answer 20

First Parade

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years.



On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.



The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.



Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called "Irish Aid" societies, like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.



No Irish Need Apply

Up until the mid-nineteenth century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to a million poor, uneducated, Catholic Irish began to pour into America to escape starvation. Despised for their religious beliefs and funny accents by the American Protestant majority, the immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs. When Irish Americans in the country's cities took to the streets on St. Patrick's Day to celebrate their heritage, newspapers portrayed them in cartoons as drunk, violent monkeys.



However, the Irish soon began to realize that their great numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize, and their voting block, known as the "green machine," became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick's Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates. In 1948, President Truman attended New York City 's St. Patrick's Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in America.



Wearing of the Green Goes Global

Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.



In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick's Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Last year, close to one million people took part in Ireland 's St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks shows.

Answer 21

Isn't it an American day now?

The 10th generation American Irish (which means your great grandfathers mate knew someone named Seamus) celebrate it more than people who are Irish and actually live in Ireland.

Answer 22

Guinness

Answer 23

St. Patrick day was first started as a way to honor St. Patrick. It realy is a holy day. I think the reason for the shoes is that St. Patrick used to leave gifts in children's shoes.

Answer 24

The First Parade

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years.



On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.



The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.



Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called "Irish Aid" societies, like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.



No Irish Need Apply

Up until the mid-nineteenth century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to a million poor, uneducated, Catholic Irish began to pour into America to escape starvation. Despised for their religious beliefs and funny accents by the American Protestant majority, the immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs. When Irish Americans in the country's cities took to the streets on St. Patrick's Day to celebrate their heritage, newspapers portrayed them in cartoons as drunk, violent monkeys.



However, the Irish soon began to realize that their great numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize, and their voting block, known as the "green machine," became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick's Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates. In 1948, President Truman attended New York City 's St. Patrick's Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in America.



Wearing of the Green Goes Global

Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.



In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick's Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Last year, close to one million people took part in Ireland 's St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks shows.

Answer 25

Wearing green and a shamrock and getting drunk on Guiness!

Answer 26

Just letting you know that I eat corned beef and I'm from Tipperary!!

Answer 27

1. Get pissed on either Guiness or Murpheys

2. Get beaten up by a leprecon

3. Wake up and wonder where you where.

Answer 28

This dosnt answer ur question..but ur question came up in the 'best of answers box' and Y!A said that it was celebrated this Monday.It's not,as u probably know its tomorrow..



Cos of Holy Week.

Answer 29

Being irish myself its just a time to get blotto and its grand

Answer 30

i am irish i find paddys day is more celebrated in other countries our parade in our town is brutal tractors and bin trucks in it ,naff or what,but we have a great drink !!!!!!

Answer 31

Drink!

Answer 32

Go to the pub, get pissed, have a fight in the chipper with some other drunken asshole...oh and by the way......Top o' the mornin' to ya, bejasus!!

Answer 33

go to the pub, get really pissed, wear green, and do irish accents. those are the proper tradtions that St. Patrick himself said people should follow.

Answer 34

the traditions in Ireland is to go to the parades and go to the pub afterwards.









hope this helps !!!

Answer 35

#1 drink

#2drink more

#3 pee

#4 drink a pint

#5 sleep ;)x.x.x.x.x

Answer 36

They go to the pub, get plastered and sing songs like Danny Boy.

Answer 37

drink as much alcohol as you can, wear something green that makes you look daft and then fall over

Answer 38

drink lots of guiness & paint the town emerald green!

Answer 39

Wasn't it him who got rid of all the snakes after sinking copious amounts of Guinness. If it was, perhaps that's got something to do with it.

Answer 40

Don't know. I'm a puritan and not into worshipping saints lol

Answer 41

i think the main tradition is going to the parade!

Answer 42

I think it may be booze, perhaps some more booze, and if that goes down well even more booze, followed by a nice plate of boiled bacon & cabbage

Answer 43

Getting drunk, and asking everybody for a light.

Answer 44

wear green drink beer and drink beer!

Answer 45

It's a holy day of obligation. Off to church with you, lad!

Answer 46

Guinness,Guinness and more Guinness!

Answer 47

drink drink and be merry to be sure to be sure

Answer 48

to celebrate my birthday :) hehe

Answer 49

Getting drunk, what else? Oh, and fighting.

Answer 50

leprachauns

Answer 51

getting bevvied is the main one isnt it?....

Answer 52

www.marvelicious.com/stpatrick should answer some of your questions.

Answer 53

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7QKiItXIdg&feature=related

Answer 54

drinking a lot????

Answer 55

WHO CARES?

Answer 56

beer maybe?

Answer 57

Corned beef and cabbage.

Answer 58

Drink !!!!!!!!!!!!