| Whether you're Irish or simply love Irish | | | | Christianity throughout Ireland during his |
| traditions and holidays, St. Patrick's Day | | | | day. Perhaps the most famous legendary story |
| brings Irish cheer to many people around the | | | | about St. Patrick is that he drove out snakes |
| world. St. Patrick's Day is a celebration of | | | | while in Ireland. Though this story is |
| all things Irish, commemorated on March 17 | | | | probably not true, many Irishmen claim that a |
| when many families gather and serve cabbage, | | | | snake cannot be found in Ireland! |
| corned beef, and delightful mint chocolate | | | | |
| pies. Some cities even celebrate by changing | | | | Celebrations of St. Patrick's Day |
| entire bodies of water to the color green to | | | | |
| remember the beloved St. Patrick. | | | | Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated around |
| | | | the world. In Ireland, it was once a |
| The holiday also sparks a tradition of | | | | religious holiday, but is now used to draw |
| shopping for and wearing Irish t-shirts and | | | | millions of tourists each year with parades, |
| apparel, usually the color green. People | | | | fireworks, and live entertainment. In |
| celebrate by wearing cute Irish accessories | | | | America, there are parades, Irish dances and |
| and fun clothing to create humor on the | | | | jigs, Irish singing, wearing |
| holiday. | | | | Leprechaun-themed outfits, clovers with three |
| | | | leaves, and more. The holiday is celebrated |
| Brief History of St. Patrick's Day | | | | with a day of prayer by many Irish Catholic |
| | | | families. St. Patrick's Day is often called |
| The holiday remembers St. Patrick, one of | | | | by a nickname, St. Paddy's Day. There are |
| Ireland's patron saints. St. Patrick was born | | | | even products and icons designed specifically |
| to a family of aristocrats in Whales and was | | | | for the holiday such as Paddy the loveable |
| set on course to become a priest. He was | | | | Leprechaun, which can be bought in various |
| captured at 16 years of age and taken to | | | | themes like Cop Paddy, Firefighter Paddy, or |
| Ireland by Irish raiders. For six years, he | | | | Cowboy Paddy. |
| was held captive, but was also able to grow | | | | |
| spiritually during this time. He believed he | | | | St. Patrick's Day Online Shopping |
| heard the voice of God commanding him to | | | | |
| leave Ireland, so he escaped to Britain after | | | | Those wanting to celebrate "St. Paddy's Day" |
| walking hundreds of miles. | | | | can find great items online for the occasion. |
| | | | There are Leprechaun crafts and gifts. For |
| He became a priest and returned to Ireland, | | | | work or school, lots of people wear Irish |
| knowing that many citizens of Ireland were | | | | T-shirts and apparel. For the true fan, there |
| pagans at the time. He created the famous | | | | are even Paddy mugs, mouse pads, teddy bears, |
| Celtic Cross and used some of the Irish | | | | pillows, buttons, and tote bags. One custom |
| customs he had learned to celebrate Easter. | | | | is to wear green so you won't get pinched. |
| Many people believe St. Patrick died on March | | | | These items have plenty of green for |
| 17 in 461 AD. His legend grew in Ireland and | | | | protection! |
| the UK as the man who single-handedly spread | | | | |