The Origins of St Patrick's Day Celebrations

Finally, after three long years, St Patrick's Day parades will return to our streets with a bang this week. Big or small, local or national, we're bound to see so many creative takes on this tradition as they unfold across our town network.

This tradition has stood the test of time, but you might be surprised to find out that St Patrick's Day parades didn't actually originate in Ireland. 

In fact, the very first St Patrick's Day parade ever to take place was held in the most unlikely of places: among a Spanish colony in St Augustine, Florida, in the year 1601. It would more than 300 years until the first Irish parade was held in Waterford in 1903.

The first officially recognised St Patrick's Day parade took place in New York City in 1762. It has since developed into the largest and longest-running Paddy's Day parade in America. 

The Chicago River dyed green for St Patrick's Day

The New York City and Chicago parades are now attended by almost 2 million people every year, but they weren't always so popular. Irish immigrants who flocked to North America during and after the Great Famine were deemed second-class citizens and heavily criticised by the anti-Catholic 'Know-Nothings.' Determined to pay homage to their roots — and spite their bullies — the Irish began to march through the streets of New York on the day of their patron saint. And as they say, the rest is history.

Before the 20th century, March 17th celebrations in Ireland were much more solemn and religious. People marked the day by going to mass and treating their families to a hearty meal of bacon and cabbage — until the feast day became a public holiday in 1904, and people started taking to the streets in celebration, too.

The practice of lifting Lenten restrictions on meat and alcohol for the day explains why booze quickly became associated with the tradition. That said, Irish pubs were not allowed open on March 17th for more than half of the 20th century; that law was abolished in the mid-1960s, to the relief of many!

These days, Paddy's Day parades take place in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, India, and many many more countries where there are Irish ex-pat communities.

If the above proves anything about the Irish people, it's that we certainly know how to make an impact wherever we go! 

Check out your town news on the Xplore app for details on when and where your local parade is taking place this bank holiday weekend. Happy St Patrick's Day!