17 quirky St. Patrick's Day facts you might not know
How many could you remember? 👇
Every March 17, countries around the world celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick - credited for bringing Christianity to the country.
Originally celebrated with a religious feast day in the 17th century, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a day of parades, music, dancing and plenty of green. This year things look a little different, with celebrations and events taking place virtually instead.
Besides the lucky leprechauns and green fashion trends, how much do you really know about the national holiday? There's a host of myths and legends surrounding St Patrick's Day and Ireland, with some traditions starting off across the water. Check out some of our favourites...
17 Quirky St Patrick Day Facts...
St Patrick NEVER wore a shamrock
It's widely believed that Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to describe the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is no mention of the symbolic plant in any of the stories from that time.
Wearing a shamrock on your lapel, and later drowning it in a drink became a Saint Patrick's Day tradition in the 17th century.
Snake…what snakes?
There are no signs of snakes in Ireland's fossil records. Water has surrounded Ireland since the last glacial period. The region would have been covered in ice before that so it would have been too cold for the reptiles.
The 'banishing of the snakes' myth was really a metaphor for the eradication of pagan ideology from Ireland and the triumph of Christianity. Within 200 years of Patrick's arrival, Ireland was completely Christianised.
Blue was Patrick’s colour, not green!
Historians claim that his colour was a light shade of blue, which can still be seen on ancient Irish flags and armbands of the Irish Citizen Army.
The practice of wearing green began during the Irish independence movement.
St Patrick's Day was even celebrated in space
Parades and festivities take place across the globe, but did you know parties have taken place in space in St Patrick's honour?
NASA's International Space Station marked the day - astronaut Chris Hadfield filmed himself singing 'Danny Boy' back in 2013, and in 2011 astronaut Cady Coleman played a flute.
America held the first Paddy’s Day parade
The first St. Patrick's Day celebration was in Boston in 1737 when Irish immigrants began recognising the sacred day. This was followed by an official parade in New York in 1766.
Ireland was further behind in the celebrations, with the first parade held in Waterford in 1903 and then Dublin in 1931.
Chicago's river bleeds green
In Chicago, the Plumbers Local 110 Union dyes the river Kelly green. The dye lasts for around five hours and first started back in 1962.
St Patrick wasn’t Irish
Historians generally believe that St. Patrick was born in Britannia (not Ireland) near the end of the 4th century. His birthplace is still unsure, some suggest Scotland while others believe it might have been Wales. Still it's surprising that it's not Ireland.
St Patrick wasn’t born Patrick either
Patrick was actually born "Maewyn Succat" but changed his name to "Patricius" after becoming a priest.
St Patrick was kidnapped and sold as a slave
At age 16 he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and carried into slavery in Ireland. After six years in servitude, he had a dream of his escape and fled his master.
Surviving a harrowing journey back to Britain, he was eventually reunited with his family.
Leprechaun’s aren’t real!
One of the most iconic symbols for St Patrick's Day has to be the ginger, green-clothed Leprechaun. Sadly these aren't a real thing...we might be nation red-heads but these are a total myth.
In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies.
St Patrick visited almost every corner of Ireland
Patrick took his missionary calling very seriously, making sure to travel the length and breadth of Ireland. From Tipperary's Rock of Cashel to Croagh Patrick in Mayo, Patrick was a busy man.
Ireland has more than one patron saint
During the Dark Ages, Ireland was known as the Land of Saints & Scholars, a place of burgeoning culture and Christianity. Other patrons include, St Brigid, St Columba, St Kevin, and St Brendan.
If you don't wear green you'll feel a pinch
According to mystic folklore, wearing green on St. Patrick's Day will make you invisible to evil leprechauns, who pinch anyone they can see!
Patrick was known to have visions
He spent a period of his life as a shepherd in Co. Antrim, where he prayed to God whilst tending sheep. As his faith grew he was known for hearing voices, warning him to escape.
When he did return home, its believed he was visited by an angel telling him to return to Ireland to safe its people.
St Patrick's Day used to be a dry holiday
Up until the 1970s, pubs were closed on March 17th as it was considered a strictly religious occasion. Prior to lockdown and Covid-19, city streets would have filled with plenty of cheer and beer.
Fancy some cabbage and corned beef?
Irish Americans obsess over corned beef and cabbage on St Patrick's Day. That's not hugely popular over here, we'd rather stick to the Irish soda bread with proper butter, washed down with a pint of the black stuff or a tram of whiskey.
Global landmarks light up green in celebration
The Global Greening Initiative first started in Australia in 2011, and this year sees a postbox at the summit of Øretoppen Mountain in Norway, 350 kms above the Arctic Circle.
Other landmarks include the Palm Fountain in Dubai and Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier in California.
Read more:
17 St Patrick's Day anthems for lockdown celebrations
Here's how the weather is shaping up for St.Patrick's Day 🍺☘️
Global landmarks will light up green to celebrate St. Patrick's day