ST PATRICK'S DAY IS COMING!

Who was St. Patrick and why does he have a special day?

Saint Patrick's Day, also known as St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates St. Patrick, one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17th. The day is the national holiday of Ireland. In other parts of the world, where there are many Irish immigrants, such as parts of Canada, the UK, Australia, the United States and New Zealand, it is also widely celebrated but is not an official holiday. St. Patrick was a Christian missionary, who was really born in Roman Britain, during the second half of the fifth century. When he was about sixteen, he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for around six years before escaping and returning to his family. He entered the church and later returned to Ireland as a missionary, working in the north and west of the island. By the eighth century he had become Ireland's patron saint.

What celebrations are held during this day?

Celebrations around the world are generally themed around all things Irish and, by association, with the colour green. Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate by wearing green or orange, eating Irish food and drinking whisky or beer, which is also coloured green for the occasion. In the USA, people in Chicago colour the river green as it runs through the city.

There are parades in different cities and towns, and the biggest parade is the one that takes place in New York, watched by at least two million spectators.