17th March marks the traditional celebrations in honour of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Merriment is worldwide but there’s more St Patrick than the abandonment of joy with a glass of Guinness in one hand and a green wig atop the head while dancing a jig in the street.
St Patrick led, it is thought, a rather colourful life. In his teens and having been captured by pirates, he worked as a herdsman in Ireland but managed to escape six years later, fleeing to possibly England. After becoming a Christian priest, he returned to Ireland as a missionary, establishing monasteries, schools and churches across the country for the next thirty years. Appointed as successor to the first bishop of Ireland, St Palladius, he later died on 17th March in the year of 461.
St Patrick’s flag is a red saltire on a white background and when the 1800 Act of Union came into effect in 1801 which joined together Great Britain and Ireland, the saltire became part of the British flag. Today’s Union flag still represents the combining of the St George’s Cross, St Andrew’s Saltire and St Patrick’s Saltire.
Colourful parades including performers from dance, clubs, community organisations, schools and sport will take place across the country marking St Patrick’s Day and in Trafalgar Square in London, the St Patrick’s Day Festival has a packed programme of entertainment. A national holiday in Ireland and Northern Ireland, Dublin’s parade will start in Parnell Square and is the beginning of their four-day Festival and Belfast’s will start from the City Hall and ends at Custom House Square, culminating in a free concert.
In London, St Patrick’s Day will be celebrated by the Irish in style with dancing, singing, Gaelic-themed activities for kids and adults, Irish food, live music, shamrocks and the wearing of green. Make papier mâché leprechauns at Drink Shop Do with free craft materials – perfect for the kids! Enjoy free food, Irish music and a cocktail at the Sun Tavern in Bethnal Green. Or head to Mr Fogg’s Tavern where they are holding an old-fashioned hooley including an traditional Irish band, Irish stew and specially created whisky cocktails.