CelebrationsCelebrationsSt Patricks DaySt Patricks Day

(Lá Fhéile Pádraig)(Lá Fhéile Pádraig)

St. PatrickSt. PatrickIn The BeginningIn The Beginning

He was born in Britain to wealthy parents. He was born in Britain to wealthy parents.

At the age of sixteen, he was taken prisoner by At the age of sixteen, he was taken prisoner by Irish raiders.Irish raiders.

He spent six years in captivity in Ireland.He spent six years in captivity in Ireland.

During this time, he worked as a shepherd.During this time, he worked as a shepherd.

Lonely and afraid, he turned to religion for Lonely and afraid, he turned to religion for solace.solace.

After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. escaped.

On his return to Britain he joined the Church, On his return to Britain he joined the Church, becoming a Bishop.becoming a Bishop.

He later returned to Ireland as a missionary.He later returned to Ireland as a missionary.

By the eighth century he had become the patron By the eighth century he had become the patron saint of Ireland. saint of Ireland.

St. PatrickSt. PatrickMyths and LegendsMyths and Legends

Legend credits Patrick Legend credits Patrick with teaching the Irish with teaching the Irish the concept of the Trinity the concept of the Trinity by showing people the by showing people the shamrock. shamrock. Using it to highlight the Using it to highlight the

Christian belief of 'three Christian belief of 'three divine persons in the one divine persons in the one God' God'

Pious legend credits Patrick Pious legend credits Patrick with banishing snakes from with banishing snakes from Ireland although:Ireland although: post-glacial Ireland never post-glacial Ireland never

actually had snakes actually had snakes

one suggestion is that one suggestion is that snakessnakes referred to the serpent referred to the serpent symbolism of the Druidssymbolism of the Druids

He is believed to have died on March 17He is believed to have died on March 17thth..

This has become celebrated as St. Patricks DayThis has become celebrated as St. Patricks Day The day became a feast day in the universal church.The day became a feast day in the universal church.

St. Patrick is also venerated in the Orthodox St. Patrick is also venerated in the Orthodox Church. Church.

St. PatrickSt. PatrickSainthood and RemembranceSainthood and Remembrance

Festivities TodayFestivities TodayIrelandIreland

Celebrated worldwide by Celebrated worldwide by Irish PeopleIrish People

Celebrations are generally Celebrations are generally themed around the color themed around the color green and all things Irish.green and all things Irish.

A St. Patrick's Day parade A St. Patrick's Day parade is held by almost all Irish is held by almost all Irish towns.towns.

Both Christians and non-Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the Christians celebrate the holiday by:holiday by: Wearing green or orange Wearing green or orange Wearing ShamrocksWearing Shamrocks Eating Irish FoodEating Irish Food Imbibing Irish drink (usually Imbibing Irish drink (usually

Guinness)Guinness) Attending paradesAttending parades

It became a public holiday It became a public holiday in1903.in1903.

Festivities TodayFestivities TodayAround the worldAround the world

ArgentinaArgentina Canada Canada United Kingdom United Kingdom GermanyGermany DenmarkDenmark Montserrat Montserrat MexicoMexico RussiaRussia

South KoreaSouth Korea Sydney, AustraliaSydney, Australia United StatesUnited States

Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah, Georgia New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana Syracuse, Syracuse, New YorkNew York New York CityNew York City Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, Nevada

•St Patricks day is celebrated all over the St Patricks day is celebrated all over the World.World.•Large Parades are held in:Large Parades are held in:

Those of Irish descent, and people with no Irish Those of Irish descent, and people with no Irish connections who may proclaim themselves "Irish connections who may proclaim themselves "Irish for a day" also celebrate St. Patrick's Day by:for a day" also celebrate St. Patrick's Day by: Drinking Irish BeveragesDrinking Irish Beverages

Lager dyed green Lager dyed green Irish beer and StoutIrish beer and Stout Irish WhiskyIrish Whisky

Wearing GreenWearing Green Playing Irish musicPlaying Irish music Hosting ParadesHosting Parades

The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is held in The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is held in New York City and is watched by over 2 million New York City and is watched by over 2 million spectators.spectators.

New London, Wisconsin, New London, Wisconsin, changes its name to New changes its name to New Dublin the week of St. Dublin the week of St. Patrick's Day.Patrick's Day.

The Canadian city of The Canadian city of Montreal is the oldest Saint Montreal is the oldest Saint Patrick's day parade in Patrick's day parade in North America.North America. 184th consecutive parade in 184th consecutive parade in

20082008

Ciara PrestonAIT

Ireland

©2008