ST PATRICK’S DAY

By Sarah Vallis

Ireland

St Patrick•Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland was born in the year 385 and died on March 17th around the year 460.

•Saint Patrick had an adventurous life. He was captured by pirates when he was 16 who took him to Ireland and sold him as a slave.

•He escaped to France and became a monk.

St Patrick•Many people believe that he brought Christianity to Ireland. He taught many of the Irish how to read and write.

•According to legend, St. Patrick drove all of the snakes out of Ireland and into the sea.

St. Patrick’s Day•St. Patrick’s day is celebrated on March 17th every year, the day that he died.

•Although it began in Ireland, it is celebrated in many countries around the world.

•Many people wear green on this day because it is the national colour of Ireland.

The Symbols•There are many symbols of Saint Patrick’s day.

•These include:•Shamrocks•The Celtic Cross•Leprechauns•Guinness

Saint Patrick Parades.

•The first Saint Patrick's Festival was held on 17 March 1996 in Dublin.

•By 2006, the festival was five days long. More than 675,000 people attended the 2009 parade.

•Festivities include concerts, outdoor theatre performances, and fireworks.

Parades in the U.K.•The biggest parade is in Manchester where there are more than 70 floats, bands, and marching groups.

•In London, there is a week long celebration of Irish culture.

•The parade in Birmingham regularly attracts more than 100,000 people.

Typical food.•A typical meal on this day is corned beef and cabbage.

•Beef in stout with herb dumplings.

•Dublin Coddle.

•Another tradition is to eat potato pancakes.

•On this day, many Irish pubs put green colouring into their beer.

•People also drink Irish coffee, which is made of sugar, coffee, cream and whiskey.

“Beannachta file padraig oraibh”

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“St Patrick’s day blessing upon you.”