St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching, and I’d say there isn’t a better time to be studying abroad in Ireland!
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t a legal holiday in the United States, but it is in Ireland. This well-known holiday will run from Friday the 16th to Monday the 19th in Ireland.
Guinness, the popular Irish stout, ranks this day as “The Friendliest Day of the Year”, and I’m sure that title won’t disappoint.
There will be festivities in Dublin, including street performances, walking tours, beer festivals, a parade and fireworks.
Dublin isn’t the only city to take part in events like this; Belfast, Cork, Kilkenny and Limerick are also known for hosting their own St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Since the 1990’s, Dublin has experienced a rapid growth of immigration, and the city is filled with so many people from diverse backgrounds.
Even being here for almost two months, I’ve noticed Dublin City University has many foreign exchange students.
The people who live in Dublin and study at DCU may not all be Irish, but perhaps they know the story of Saint Patrick.
The story behind St. Patrick’s Day begins with a man, Patrick, who was born in the year 378 in Britain.
Legend goes that Patrick was captured around the age of 16 by a raiding party of Druids and pagans and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd sheep. He learned their ways, but still turned to God and prayed.
He dreamt one night that God was telling him to leave Ireland.
The next morning he escaped, walked 200 miles, and found some sailors that would take him back to Britain. He was 22 when he escaped.
He reunited with his family six years after being gone, but his heart was still with God.
Patrick had another dream that the people of Ireland were calling out to him. “We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more,” they said.
He then began his studies for priesthood and studied under St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre.
Years later, Patrick was ordained a bishop and he travelled back to Ireland. He had complete trust in God and was entirely devoted to him.
Saint Patrick preached for 40 years in Ireland and is said to have worked many miracles.
Most of the people in Ireland practiced a nature-based pagan principle, and Saint Patrick helped convert these people to Christianity.
Today, Christianity is the largest religion in Ireland.
He was regarded as a patron saint to Ireland, as the special guardian from heaven of engineering.
Although shamrocks have been an important symbol even before Saint Patrick came around, he used the shamrock to explain the holy trinity to the pagans.
Saint Patrick wrote that shamrocks signify three divine persons in the one God. They also signify rebirth and eternal life.
Ireland’s favorite saint died on March 17 in the year 461, which is why we celebrate his life on this day.
For a holiday that was once observed as religious, it has turned into a secular celebration, with acts of Guinness-drinking, face painting and drunk dancing in the cobblestone streets.
Even though that has angered some Christian leaders, such as priest Vincent Twomey, I don’t think non-religious or non-Irish people seem to mind.
I think I’m going to spend my Saturday in town, getting my fill of people watching and picture taking.
An Irish man told me that you can’t spend St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin sober, and I know I’ll be more than happy to oblige with that request.
Gary Fitzsimons, and Ireland native, says, “I’m going to meet up with friends in town, probably end up in a club.”
“When I was young I’d go to the parade,” said Jeff Dalton, Ireland local. “Now that I’m older I’ll go to the pub, or have a party with friends.”
Raphael Hagenbuch, from Germany, is going to Limerick for the week. “Since there is a rugby game on St. Pattie’s, we’re going to get Ireland jerseys. We’re going to get dressed in green and go to the biggest pub in Limerick.”
“It’s my favorite day of the year!” Says Luke Reilly, Ireland native.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Dubliners celebrate this famous holiday.
I’m sure it will be full of the craic, which is Irish, meaning entertainment, dancing, good conversation, and having a grand time.
I’m not Irish by blood, but thankfully on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish!
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I also interviewed six students and asked them "How do people in Ireland celebrate St Patrick's Day?"
“It’s an all day drinking thing. The families see the parade, and there’s a lot of celebration.”
Eimear Shannon – from Ireland
“The families go to see fireworks and the parade. There’s not just drinking that goes on, there’s other fun stuff.”
Luke Reilly – from Ireland
“People wear masks, wear green, and drink a lot. They’ll go to the parade or go to pubs.”
Jeff Dalton – from Ireland
“There are lots of sporting events, like club finals, hurling and gaelic football.”
Ciarán Neary – from Ireland
“They get drunk, go to the parade and dress in green.”
Susan Histon – from Ireland
“They dress in green, they sing Irish songs, drink Guinness, get together and have the craic.”
Raphael Hagenbuch – from Germany
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