St Patrick's Day ,Irish Holiday -A Funful Celebration , Events in UK

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig (The Festival of Patrick); Ulster-Scots: Saunt Petherick's Day) is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick (c. AD 387–461), the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church and Lutheran Church. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early seventeenth century, and has gradually become a celebration of Irish culture in general. 
(This Article Has Everything You Wanna Know About St. Patrick's Day )

Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador and in Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora, especially in places such as Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. Today, St. Patrick's Day is probably the most widely celebrated saint's day in the world.

The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 385. His given name was Maewyn, and he almost didn't get the job of bishop of Ireland because he lacked the required scholarship.

ST. PATRICKS DAY PARADE 2010 by BalconyTV

The Pagan Saint

Far from being a saint, until he was 16, he considered himself a pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity he became a Christian and adopted the name Patrick.

He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he got the notion that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity.

His wishes were to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans to Christianity. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland.

Spreading the "Truth"

Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact rightfully upset the Celtic Druids, who had their own native religion. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He travelled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his indoctrination of the Irish country into Christianity.

His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.

Maewyn Myths

Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Not much of it is actually substantiated.Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, no snakes were ever native to Ireland, and some people think this is a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday.

Symbolism

One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country, in Boston.

St Patrick's day Parade

The Rainbow, the Pot of Gold belief and the Lucky Leprechauns

The rare and lovely appearance of rainbows makes them incredibly magical for children and adults alike. Perhaps this magic first inspired the notion of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Dating back to Old Europe, the legend of the pot of gold is claimed enthusiastically by the Irish. They'll tell you that fairies put the gold there and then the leprechauns guard it. This folklore has become part of the symbolism of St. Patrick's Day, a holiday that celebrates everything Irish including the hope and luck it takes to find that elusive pot of gold. People play games of finding the pot of Gold on this day.

A Cute little leprechauns Poem 

You think you can trick me with rainbows and gold.

But I’m really fast, even though I am old.

Here is a treat to help you play.

I hope you have a happy St. Patrick’s Day

Children make some craft trap to catch the Leprechaun and try to trick him with some treats.below is the example of it.Often parents keep some small treats for the kids on behalf of the Leprechaun on the trap to make the kids happy

Leprechaun's Trap craft

A Cute Movie on  Leprechaun 

Good Things Come from Pagan Conversions

Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green and drinking beer. One reason St. Patrick's Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring.

"For those looking for something a bit different to the traditional pint of Guinness, there are quirky events taking place up and down the country – from the largest British St. Patrick's Day parade in Manchester to the annual 'Paddle for Paddy's' on the Thames."

Event and Attractions on St Pat :-

Note: It’s just a list not in order

1. Irish House Party– Dublin

There's no shortage of high spirits and entertainment at the Irish House Party. Join local musicians for an exhilarating evening of traditional Irish food, dancing and culture.

2. Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl - Dublin

Two professional musicians set the pace for a night of vivacious Irish music. Traditional instruments such as the tin whistle, accordion and the fiddle animate the crowd as the duo relates the history of Irish music and its influence on contemporary world music.

3. Paddle for Paddy's – London

Pair up with a friend and paddle in a double kayak from Westminster to Chelsea – complimentary Guinness will be given out on completion to spur you on!

4. St Patrick's Day parade – Manchester

This festival takes place in Manchester for just over two weeks in March and is the largest St Patrick's Day festival in England, with Irish food, drink and music galore!

5. Brent St Patrick's Day Parade with Irish Dancing – London

Cheer on the parade that departs from Willesden Green Station and finishes with stage performances from Irish dancers, singers and a fairground for the little ones.

6. The Drunk Show – London

This show in Kings Cross hosts performances from comedians including Wade McElwain, Patrick Morris and Angus Duncan. The first is performed when they are sober and the second after they've had a few drinks! This one is happening at the Star of Kings, 126 York Way, London.

7. Soul Food Project St Patrick's Day Supper – Birmingham

Enjoy an evening of delicious Gaelic cuisine at The Old Crown in Digbeth, Birmingham. The evening costs £15 for the three course sampling menu and tickets are distributed on a first come first serve basis.

8. Gaels Le Chéile – Glasgow

Enjoy entertainment from a variety of musicians including the Inishowen Céili Band whilst raising money for charity, as all proceeds from this event go to the Glasgow Irish Centre Project.

9. England vs Ireland Six Nations Rugby – Twickenham

Take a trip to Twickenham to enjoy one of the biggest games of the year for the Six Nations Rugby tournament. Being on St Patrick's Day, the game is sure to have a great atmosphere!

10. 'Forty Shades of Green', Mary and Brian Evans' art exhibition – Nottingham

Bring along your children and listen to some traditional Irish stories at the Mary and Brian Evans' art exhibition- a perfect afternoon for the whole family.

Important Links for Further Information - 


Crowds fill downtown for St. Patrick's Day 



History Channel
http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day 


http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20120317/dublin-st-patricks-day-parade-120317/

http://stpatricksday.com/

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120316-saint-patricks-day-2012-march-17-facts-ireland-irish-nation/