I used to read a book called "Are You Irish, or Normal?" written by an Irish Australian. I do not have the book with me now, also forgot the author's name. It's a funny point of view on Irish and the history of Ireland. I do not understand much of the witty jokes in there, but still think it's an interesting book to read. I found some Irish in me too (because I am not normal?).
St Patrick is not Irish (by birth, I mean). He has become an integral part of the Irish heritage, mostly through his service across Ireland of the 5th century.
Growing up in Britain, Patrick was born in the later half of the 4th century AD in either Scotland or Roman England. One day a band of pirates landed in south Wales and kidnapped this boy along with many others. Then they sold him into slavery in Ireland. When he was imprisoned as a slave was the time changes came to him. He dreamed of having seen God. Legend says, he was then dictated by God to escape with a getaway ship.
Finally, he did escape and then joined a monastery and studied under St. Germain, the bishop of Auxerre in France. He spent around 12 years in training. And when he became a bishop he dreamed that the Irish were calling him back to Ireland to tell them about God.
So he set out for Ireland with the Pope's blessings. For 20 years he had traveled throughout Ireland. Through active preaching, he made important converts even among the royal families. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He stablished monasteries across the country and set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion.
By the end of the 7th century Patrick had become a legendary figure, and the legends have continued to grow since then.
St. Partick died on March 17, AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.
The day's spirit is to celebrate the universal baptismal of Ireland. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. Or, rather, 'be an Irish Day '. And the Irish has borne it as part of
their national tradition in everywhere they populated and prospered.
The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in U.S.A. (Boston). The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place in New York City on March 17, 1762 when Irish soldiers serving in the British colonial army staged a parade celebrating their heritage.
St. Patrick's day has became bigger events in America, Canada, and Australia than in Ireland itself. Therefore, from 1995, the Irish government began a national campaign to transform St. Patrick's Day into an authentic Irish celebration. What no doubt also struck the government was something else enticingly green besides shamrocks and beer. Wonder if this is merely for tourism.
However, they've been catching up to the rest of the world. St. Patrick's Day parades in the U.S. number about 100; in the Republic of Ireland, there are now about 30. Even Belfast, which had never before held a parade, began having its own in 1998. And once Ireland claimed the holiday as its own, the name has been changed to "St. Patrick's Festival," expanding the holiday first to three days, and in the year 2000, to five.
More:
How about the Shamrock?
Three (the Trinity?) is Ireland's magic number. There comes Shamrock. Shamrock was referred to in the history the first time around 1681 as a badge to be worn on the lapel on the Saint's feast day. As a symbol of Ireland it has long been integrated into the symbol of the United Kingdom, along with the Rose, the Thistle and the Leek of England, Scotland and Wales.
Leprechaun?
The Leprechaun is an Irish fairy. He looks like a small, old man (about 2 feet tall), often dressed like a shoemaker, with a cocked hat and a leather apron (mann... I always thought those were dwarves). According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live alone, and pass the time making shoes. They also possess a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer and threat him to give the gold pots. Only those who really believe have seen these little elves.
Don't have St. Patrick's parades in Asia. St. Patrick is not very popular in the Philippines (the only Christian country) either. I wish I could join one of the parades once in my life. I love the theme... Shamrock... Leprechaun... Green...
Harrison Ford (in The Fugitive)...
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