St. Patrick’s Day: A Celebration of History, Myth, and Fun!

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Who Was St. Patrick?

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, but his story starts in an unexpected place—Britain!

Born in the late 4th or early 5th century, Patrick (whose real name was Maewyn Succat) was kidnapped by Irish raiders at the age of 16 and forced to work as a shepherd in Ireland.

During his captivity, he turned to Christianity for comfort. After six years, he escaped and returned home, but he couldn't forget Ireland.

Later, he became a Christian missionary and returned to the island, determined to spread his faith. Patrick spent the rest of his life teaching Christianity, building churches, and—according to legend—using a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).

He died on March 17, 461 AD. Over time, his legacy grew into the celebration now known as St. Patrick's Day.

Busting the Myths: What's Real and What's Just a Story?

St. Patrick was a real person, but some of the stories about him were not so much.

Myth: St. Patrick Drove Snakes Out of Ireland

The legend says St. Patrick used his powers to chase all the snakes out of Ireland, but the truth is… there were never any snakes there to begin with! Ireland's cold climate and surrounding waters have always made it impossible for snakes to live there.

Myth: He Used the Shamrock to Teach Christianity

While the shamrock is a symbol of Ireland, there's no actual evidence that Patrick used it as a teaching tool. However, the number three was important in ancient Irish culture, so it's possible that people made the connection later.

Myth: St. Patrick's Day Is an Irish Invention

Believe it or not, the first St. Patrick's Day parade didn't happen in Ireland—it happened in America! Irish soldiers serving in the British army held the first parade in New York City in 1762. When waves of Irish immigrants came to the U.S. in the 19th century, they continued the tradition, making the holiday bigger and more festive.

From a Religious Feast to a Worldwide Celebration

Originally, St. Patrick's Day was a religious holiday in Ireland. It was a time for attending church, reflecting on St. Patrick's teachings, and enjoying a big meal.

In fact, for most of the 20th century, Irish laws required all pubs to be closed on March 17! That all changed in the 1970s when Ireland began promoting the holiday as a celebration of Irish culture.

Today, the day is marked with parades, festivals, and lots of green! Meanwhile, St. Patrick's Day evolved into a much more lively celebration of Irish heritage in America. Cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston hold massive parades, and people wear green to show their Irish pride—even if they aren't Irish at all!

Watch the video below for more fun facts about St. Patrick's Day!

Why Do We Wear Green?

• If St. Patrick was originally associated with the color blue, why do we all wear green on his day?

Green is one of Ireland's national colors. Ireland is often called the Emerald Isle because of its lush green landscape. The shamrock, a symbol of Ireland, is green. Over time, the color stuck.

Folklore says wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns. According to legend, leprechauns like to pinch anyone they can see, so wearing green keeps you safe!

• Speaking of traditions, what about the food?

There’s one dish that’s become almost as famous as the holiday itself: corned beef and cabbage.

Corned Beef and Cabbage: An American Tradition

You might think corned beef and cabbage is a traditional Irish meal, but it actually started in America!

In Ireland, people traditionally ate ham and cabbage, but when waves of Irish immigrants arrived in the U.S. in the 19th century, they found pork was expensive.

Instead, they turned to a more affordable meat—beef—which they cured with large grains of salt called corns. This process preserved the meat and gave it the name corned beef.

The dish became popular among Irish-American communities, especially in cities like New York and Boston. Over time, it became the go-to meal for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the U.S.

So, while it may not have deep Irish roots, corned beef and cabbage are now a beloved part of the holiday’s traditions!

Leprechauns: Mischief Makers of Irish Mythology

Leprechauns are tiny, mischievous fairies from Irish folklore. According to legend, they hide pots of gold at the end of rainbows and play tricks on anyone who tries to catch them.

But fun fact—old Irish tales actually describe them wearing red! It wasn't until later that they became associated with green, thanks to St. Patrick's Day.

Oh, and one more thing—there are no female leprechauns! Every leprechaun story ever told features only male characters.

• Weird, right?

St. Paddy's or St. Patty's?

If you want to wish someone a happy St. Patrick's Day, make sure you get it right—it's St. Paddy's Day, NOT St. Patty's!

Paddy comes from the Irish name Pádraig, which is the Irish version of Patrick. Patty is a nickname for Patricia, which is not the same thing at all.

So next time you see someone write "Happy St. Patty's Day," you can (nicely) correct them!

Now, Keep the Fun Going!

Now that you know St. Patrick's Day's history, traditions, and myths, it's time to put your knowledge to the test.

Get ready for some fun activities in the Got It? section.

• Can you spot the real facts from the myths?