Top 6 St Patrick’s Day Traditions
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Most people might only know about St. Patrick’s Day as a day when you wear green, watch parades, and drink a lot of alcohol. However, there is so much more about this day. Check out the top 6 St Patrick’s Day traditions.
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6. Eating Corned Beef and Cabbage
Every year, many Irish Americans get together with their loved ones and families to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with the “traditional” meal of corned beef and cabbage. However, while cabbage has long been a traditional staple in Irish cuisine, corned beef only became associated with St Patrick’s Day at the beginning of the 1900s.[1]History – St. Patrick’s Day Tradition During this time, Irish immigrants in New York City, would substitute Irish bacon for corned beef in order to save money. They actually learned this trick from their Jewish neighbors and it has stuck ever since.
5. Parades Are Some of the Biggest St Patrick’s Day Traditions
According to Timothy Meagher, history professor at Catholic University in D.C., St. Patrick’s Day originally was just a religious holiday; however, it expanded to the celebratory occasion that it is today due to Irish Americans.
In fact, one of the biggest St Patrick’s Day Traditions are parades where Irish people can show of their colors, numbers, and revel in their Irish-American identity. The first St Patrick’s Day parade was actually held in 1762 in New York City.[2]USA Today – 7 St. Patrick’s Day tradition explained By the mid 19th century they became popular, and people have been flocking to them ever since.
4. Why Shamrocks?
One of the biggest St Patrick’s day traditions is shamrocks. According to legend, St. Patrick used the 3 leaves of the shamrock in order to explain about the Christian Holy Trinity to the Irish people. However, there is no historical evidence to support this claim.
In reality, shamrocks have been part of Irish tradition going back to the 17th century. They would wear shamrocks on their coasts and finish the day by “drowning the shamrock” (placing it at the bottom of a glass of whiskey before drinking).[3]USA Today – 7 St. Patrick’s Day tradition explained
3. The Green River in Chicago Is a Family Affair
One of the most famous St Patrick’s Day traditions is the dyeing green of the Chicago River for St Patrick’s Day. A crew places a top secret recipe in the water which turns the river green for about 5 hours.
However, not just anyone can do this. In fact, the Butler and Rowan family have been responsible for this tradition for 50 years. The only way you can become a member of the 6 person crew that dyes the river is by blood or marriage to either Mike Butler or Tom Rowan.[4]USA Today – 7 St. Patrick’s Day tradition explained
2. Drinking Alcohol
Perhaps the best known St Patrick’s Day tradition is drinking alcohol. For example, it is a popular tradition for Irish pub goers to drink some beer or whiskey to celebrate the day. In fact, an estimated 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed on St Patrick’s Day compared to the usual 5.5 million per day![5]Ireland Information – Saint Patrick – Saint Patrick’s Day Tradition
1. St. Patrick’s Day is a Holy Day of Obligation
In Ireland the biggest of the St Patrick’s Day traditions is to go to church. The day is actually a Holy Day of Obligation. In the Catholic religion, Holy Days of Obligation are days when the faithful Christians of the church are expected to attend Mass, and rest from both work and recreation. These practices are in accordance with the 3rd Commandment in the Bible. For example, Irish families attend church in their best clothes and pin Shamrocks on their breasts.[6]Your Irish – St Patrick’s Day Celebrations & Tradition
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