Celebrate Like The Irish

The Irish have celebrated St. Patrick's Day on March 17th for over 1,000 years.  Celebrated for the patron saint of Ireland as a religious feast day on the anniversary of his death in the 5th century.  St. Patrick is one of Christianity's most widely know figures, but for all his celebrity his life remains a mystery.  Most of the popular stories, including the banishing of snakes, is the result of years of exaggerated storytelling.

It just so happens that St. Patrick's day falls during the Christian season of Lent.  Irish families traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon by dancing, drinking, and feasting.  With the Lenten prohibitions of eating meat waived, a traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage may be enjoyed by the Irish.  This St. Patrick's Day enjoy some classic and modern Irish food, follow these link for the recipes.

• Irish Soda Bread with Raisins
• Irish Brown Bread
• Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Champ
• Beef and Guinness Pie

There are many symbols we associate with St. Patrick's Day and Ireland itself.  Learn more about parades, shamrocks, and all things Irish; including leprechauns and the color green.  You might be surprised to find out which ones have roots in Ireland and which ones are purely American made.  Below are two of the most popular symbols we relate to St. Patrick's Day.

• Shamrocks - The sacred plant of ancient Ireland originally symbolized the rebirth of spring.  In the 17th century it became a symbol of Irish nationalism.  As the English began to seize Irish land and enforce laws against the use of the Irish language and Catholisism, the Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride.
• Leprechauns - It is believed to stem from the Celtic belief in fairies.  Leprechauns were protrayed as cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of other fairies in Celtic folktales.  However, in 1959 Americans were introduced to cheerful, friendly Leprechauns by Walt Disney in the film Darby O'Gill and the Little People.  The American version of the Leprechaun has become symbolic to St. Patrick's Day and Ireland.

Video on the History of St. Patricks Day.

For more information on St. Patrick's Day, visit History.com.