Saint Patrick’s Day

Saint Patrick’s Day is a Catholic holiday celebrated annually to remember Saint Patrick. Initially a religious holiday, St Patrick’s Day has become more of a secular holiday in recent years. Commonly recognized as patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated with most fervor in Ireland as well as among Irish communities in other countries.

When is St Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on 17 March, which is St. Patrick’s feast day and the anniversary date of his death.

Date of St Patrick’s Day 2012
St Patrick’s Day 2012 falls on Saturday, 17 March 2012.

Date of St Patrick’s Day 2011
St Patrick’s Day 2011 falls on Thursday, 17 March 2011.

Origin of St Patrick’s Day

Origin of St Patrick’s Day revolve around St Patrick. In 432, Patrick was called as a bishop to Ireland to convert Irish from polytheism to Christianity. He died on 17 March 461 in Ireland, after nearly 30 of evangelism. Eventhough there were other Christian missions to Ireland after that, Patrick continued to be held with high esteem as the patron of Christianity in Ireland.

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

St Patrick’s Day 2012 is celebrated in Ireland, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, and Argentina.

St Patrick’s 2012 Festival in Ireland
St Patrick’s Day 2012 is a public holiday in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. On St. Patrick’s Day, families in Ireland would attend special mass in church in the morning and continue with celebration in the afternoon. While St Patrick’s Day usually falls during the Christian’ Lent / Fasting season, exception would be made for the day and Irish people would drink, feast, and dance on the St Patrick’s day.

In recent years, realizing economic potential of the festival, Ireland government start to use St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin to drive tourism to Ireland. Colorful parades, outdoor theater productions, concerts, and fireworks shows form festive celebrations that last a few days.

Previous year, St Patricks Festival 2011 in Dublin, Ireland was held from Wednesday, 16 March 2011 to Sunday, 20 March 2011.

St Patrick’s Day 2012 in United States
Aside from Ireland, the most popular St Patrick Festival celebrations take place in United States. On 17 March 1762, world’s first ever St Patrick’s Parade took place in New York City with Irish soldiers in the British Army marching through the city.

St Patrick’s Day is now widely celebrated in the United Stated by Irish and non-Irish alike. It is the day of highest alcohol consumption and one of busiest days for bars, pubs, and restaurants. Many people wear green clothing, the color associated with St Patrick’s Day.

Many parades throughout America are held to celebrate the St Patrick’s Day. Some of the most popular parades are in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and New Orleans.

See also
Hotels in Ireland
Ireland St Patrick’s Festival Official Site
Wikitravel – Ireland Travel Guide

Happy St Patrick’s Day 2012 !

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