How many days until St. Patrick's Day?

Who was St. Patrick?

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the fifth century, he was captured by raiders at about 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. After escaping, he became a priest and returned to Ireland as a missionary. Much of what we know comes from his own writings, the Confessio; later legends, such as driving the snakes out of Ireland, are symbolic (Ireland had no snakes after the last Ice Age). He is traditionally said to have died on March 17, which became his feast day.

From feast day to global festival

For centuries, St. Patrick's Day was a religious holiday in Ireland. The big public celebrations we know today largely began with the Irish diaspora. Boston held a celebration in 1737, and New York's first recorded parade, in 1762, was organized by Irish soldiers in the British army. Today New York's parade is one of the largest in the world. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day became a public holiday in 1903, and the government has promoted it as a national festival since the 1990s.

Traditions and symbols

• Wearing green: linked to Ireland's nickname, the "Emerald Isle", and to the shamrock. Legend says Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
• Parades: held in cities from Dublin and New York to Sydney and Tokyo.
• Green landmarks: Chicago has dyed the Chicago River green since 1962, and many famous buildings worldwide are lit green.
• Food and music: Irish music, dancing, soda bread, and in the US, corned beef and cabbage, an Irish-American tradition rather than an Irish one.

Planning ahead

St. Patrick's Day is always March 17. When it falls during Holy Week, the Catholic Church moves the liturgical feast, but public celebrations stay on March 17. Many cities hold their parade on the nearest weekend, so check local dates.