What is the History of St. Patrick?
What started as a religious holiday in the early 17th century, has become a worldwide celebration of Irish culture. With green beer and quirky costumes, St. Patrick's Day is now very different from the day of feast that the church originally proclaimed it to be. Officially, the day commemorates St. Patrick and the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. It is held on the 17th of March as this is thought to be the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death. He was born in what was then known as Roman Britain and first travelled to Ireland as a young boy. While finding completely accurate text from that period is rare, popular belief is that St. Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave where he was made to work as a shepherd. It was during this time that he is said to have found God, which ultimately set the course of the rest of his life. He was eventually able to flee slavery and make his way home, where he entered the priesthood. After eventually becoming a bishop, he returned to Ireland on a mission to rid the Emerald Isle of pagans and heathens. For his efforts in spreading Christianity across the country, St. Patrick has been regarded as a saint in Ireland since the 7th century. It wasn’t until the 17th century that the 17th of March was added to the Catholic book of prayers as the Feast of St. Patrick.
Why do people celebrate St. Patrick's Day?
Thanks to Irish emigration, in particular to the United States, St. Paddy’s Day celebrations take place each year around the world. They have become synonymous with parades, parties, traditional Irish music, and dance, celebrated by people with various backgrounds. Even Lent restrictions are lifted for the 24 hours that span St. Patrick's Day to allow people to celebrate without limitation. The best-known celebrations are the ones that take place in the US, with massive parades filled with kilts, flags and floats taking place in both Boston and New York. Chicago even dyes the river that runs through the middle of the city bright green to get the festivities started. Ireland has one of the highest diaspora of any country across the globe. To put that into context, in America, 1 in 10 people claim to have Irish ancestry. St. Patrick's Day is a way for people around the globe to connect and celebrate their heritage. For those who aren’t of Irish descent, it's still a great excuse to have a good time.
Can you wear a kilt on St. Patrick’s Day?
One of the most visible similarities between Scottish and Irish culture is that both wear kilts. Historically, kilts in Scotland are closely connected to a clan’s tartan whereas in Ireland, traditional kilts were made from cloth composed of a single colour, predominantly saffron. In the late 19th, the kilt became a popular symbol of Irish identity and as a result, Irish tartan designs were developed. Unlike traditional Scottish tartans that are connected to a specific clan, Irish tartans represent the different Irish counties. These modern tartans feature muted, earthy tones that work well with a range of different outfit options, making them a great choice for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. So the answer to “Can you wear a kilt on St. Patrick’s Day?” is absolutely! Whether you choose to pair your Irish Tartan Kilt with a tweed jacket or a ‘Kiss me, I’m Irish’ t-shirt, it’s completely your choice. Whatever you decide, wearing an Irish tartan is a fantastic way to celebrate your heritage while standing out from the crowd.