03/17/2025
History fascinates me so I thought I'd share some fun facts about the history of OLE' ST. Patty.
Drop some in the comments if you have any.
1. St. Patrick Wasn't Irish: St. Patrick was actually born in Roman Britain, not Ireland. He was kidnapped by Irish pirates at age 16 and brought to Ireland, where he spent six years as a slave before escaping.
2. St. Patrick's Color Was Originally Blue: The color associated with St. Patrick was once blue, not green. In Irish mythology, blue was a symbol of Ireland and was associated with St. Patrick’s Order. Green became popular later, likely due to its association with Irish independence movements.
3. Snakes and Symbolism: The famous story that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland is likely symbolic. Ireland never had any native snakes, so many believe this tale represents his role in spreading Christianity and eliminating pagan practices.
4. St. Patrick's Day Was a Religious Holiday: Until the 1700s, St. Patrick's Day was mainly a religious feast day in Ireland, and pubs were closed. It only became a more secular celebration with parades and drinking after Irish immigrants in the U.S. popularized it in the 19th century.
5. The First St. Patrick's Day Parade Was in the U.S.: The first-ever St. Patrick’s Day parade was held not in Ireland but in New York City in 1762 by Irish soldiers serving in the British army.
6. St. Patrick Used the Shamrock for Teaching: According to legend, St. Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaf clover, to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to Irish pagans.
7. Corned Beef Isn't Traditional: In Ireland, bacon or lamb was traditionally eaten on St. Patrick's Day. Irish immigrants in America swapped to corned beef, as it was more affordable and available in the U.S.
