On March 17 of every year, all the Irish Christians get together and pay tribute to Saint Patrick, a saint who is believed to have brought Christianity in Ireland. On every March 17, Irish people sing, dance, drink, and make merry in their Green costumes, as Green is considered to be the color of Christians who reside in Ireland. Blue was the color of Irish Christians some decades ago but was later replaced by Green.
Who was Saint Patrick?
As written in his autobiography "Confessio," Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain. Saint Patrick was a pagan in his childhood, i.e., he was not a born Christian.
At the age of 16, he was taken as a captive and put into slavery by some Irish pirates. It is said that after six years of captivity, he became a Christian after hearing some “mysterious” voices that Christians believe had come from God. Although there are people who believe that his story was fabricated by Saint Patrick and that he was never taken as a slave to Ireland, it’s a controversial topic and I won't elaborate.
Current trends
Interestingly, to an outsider, it is a day of paying tribute and reverence to St. Patrick. However, for Irish people, it is a day to meet their loved ones or to sit idly in their homes and enjoy a holiday, just as they do on any other holiday. Some people sometimes go to various pubs in Ireland, where they tend to get quite intoxicated.
Not long ago, pubs in Ireland used to remain closed on this day. Drinking cocktails is one of the very important activities that take place on this day. Dancing is another very important and amusing activity that takes place on March 17 in Ireland. Authorities, for unknown reasons, have even warned some government officials against what they deem to be the detrimental effects of dancing on this day.
Irish people know how to party hard
I don't blame Irish people for this attitude as the same attitude may be observed by non-Irish people living across the globe. After all, no Muslim considers Eid to be a means of solemn learning; no Hindu considers Diwali to be a solemn day of worship; everyone considers such occasions a way to get rid of boredom and official duties.
Most people these days don’t even bother to meet their relatives as they consider it absolutely downmarket and old-fashioned.
All jokes and sarcasm apart, I really wish Irish people have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. May they enjoy to their full. To all the Irish and those who want to help them celebrate, all the very best to you wherever you may be on the globe.
