By Caitlyn McGregor, Staff Writer
St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, is a lively and colorful holiday known for its festive spirit, parades, and all things green. But how does the way we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in America differ from celebrations around the world?
St. Patrick’s Day originated in Ireland. According to History.com, the Irish commemorate the day with religious services, parades, and festivals. It is a time for families to come together and honor their patron saint, St. Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.
In Ireland, you might see traditional Irish music performances, dancers clad in vibrant costumes, and, of course, plenty of green everywhere. However, wearing green is a tradition the Irish adapted from America. People often attend mass in the morning and spend the rest of the day enjoying festivities with loved ones.
St. Patrick’s Day has become a global phenomenon, not just being celebrated in Ireland but all over the world. However, the way people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day outside of Ireland can differ quite a bit.
For example, in the United States, cities like New York and Chicago host massive parades with elaborate floats and marching bands. There is also a strong focus on wearing green clothing and accessories, and sometimes green wigs or face paint as well.
After speaking to many Saint Leo students, it was clear that Saint Patrick’s Day for college students involves wearing green. According to Irish Central.com, green is the color worn for St. Patrick’s Day because Americans associated the color with Ireland’s nickname, the Emerald Isle.
“The only thing I’ve ever done to really celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is wear green, but I haven’t done that since middle school,” said Hennessy Franco, a freshman majoring in business management.
It was clear that because most St. Patrick’s Day traditions involve drinking, parades, and festivities at clubs and bars, it is a holiday celebrated mostly amongst older college students and adults.
St. Patrick’s Day, rooted in Irish tradition, has evolved, and spread to various parts of the world, each putting its unique spin on the holiday. Whether you are enjoying a lively parade, wearing green or celebrating with traditional Irish dances, everyone has their own way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
