St. Patrick’s Day synonymous with Shamrocks

On St Patrick’s Day, it seems fitting to provide the following advice to those who are not Irish and are celebrating the day with Irish friends.

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated every year on March 17, has become synonymous with shamrocks, the color green, pinching, (if perchance you’ve forgotten to wear the color green), and plenty of guilt-free alcohol imbibing. But the holiday, commemorated in today’s green and shamrock-inflected Google Doodle, has a long, rich religious history.

In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is not only a time for celebration but also a religious experience. Since the beginning of the 17th century, it has been celebrated as an official religious holiday on the Catholic calendar. The country’s banks and other businesses close down, and most Irish citizens attend Mass to give thanks for missionaries working around the world.

What Do People Do?

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world, especially by Irish communities and organizations. Many people wear an item of green clothing on the day. Parties featuring Irish food and drinks that are dyed in green food color are part of this celebration. It is a time when children can indulge in sweets and adults can enjoy a “pint” of beer at a local pub. Many restaurants and pubs offer Irish food or drink, which include:

• Irish brown bread.
• Corned beef and cabbage.
• Beef and Guinness pie.
• Irish cream chocolate mousse cake.
• Irish coffee.
• Irish potato champ, also known as poundies, cally or pandy.
• Irish stew.
• Irish potato soup.