Why not spend St. Patrick's Day in Ireland?

If you're going to celebrate St Patrick's Day why not do
it in Ireland?
(Courtesy: pixabay)

IRELAND — While there are many legends surrounding St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, arguably the most familiar one being that he was responsible for ridding the country of its snakes.

Wikipedia says "the earliest text to mention an Irish saint banishing snakes from Ireland is in fact the Life of Saint Columba (chapter 3.23), written in the late seventh or early eighth century."

It wasn't until the 13th century however, before there was any written account of a legend regarding Patrick driving away Ireland's venomous reptiles. That story occurred when Gerald of Wales expressed skepticism about the veracity of the folklore.

Irish legend claims St Patrick drove the snake away
(Courtesy: Nheyob -- licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share
Alike 4.0 International license)

Even so, the most familiar version of the legend is that of Jocelyn of Furness, who says that the snakes were banished when Patrick chased them into the sea after attacking him while he was in the process of doing a 40-day fast on top of a hill.

In reality, evidence shows that Ireland probably never had any snakes at all and that, most likely, the slithering creatures were actually a metaphor for the druids, whom Patrick is said to have driven out of Ireland when he established Christianity there.

Whatever the truth may be matters little to the Irish today who have celebrated March 17, believed by many to be the day of St Patrick's death, as a religious holiday for more than a thousand years.

So popular has the tradition become that the holiday has now expanded into the secular world as a robust international celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

New York and Savannah have two of the biggest celebrations
in the United States
(Courtesy: pixabay)

Among the biggest celebrations in the US is in New York City. Highlighted by a massive parade beginning at 11 am on 44th Street and marching up Fifth Avenue past St Patrick's Cathedral, of course, the celebration concludes around 5:00 pm at the American Irish Historical Society at East 80th Street.

Oddly enough, the second largest St Patrick's Day Parade in the world, drawing more than half a million spectators, takes place in Savannah, GA. In fact, Savannah is recognized as the first city in the United States to hold a public observance of the "wearing of the green" tracing its roots back 196 years to 1824.

A pint of green  beer is
good for what "ales" you
(Courtesy: pixabay)

At that time a notice from the Hibernian Society was published on March 16th in the local paper, The Georgian, inviting citizens of Savannah to join them for a discourse at the Roman Catholic Church on the Feast of St Patrick the following day. The rest is history.

The Cliffs of Moher are
an Irish highlight
(Courtesy: Ireland.com)

Which leads to the most obvious question, facsimiles are great, but why not experience shamrocks and green beer in the place where it all began, Ireland itself?

To be expected, Dublin attracts the most attention and largest crowds on St Patrick's Day, but if you venture out from the capital, you will find a plethora of celebrations in virtually every village, town and city in the country. Some of the festivities last for days at a time where visitors have the opportunity to celebrate in style with locals in one of the friendliest countries on the planet.

Ireland’s second city, Cork, is staging a four day festival this year from March 14th -- 17th, culminating in a vibrant St Patrick’s Day parade. The colorful cavalcade will feature up to 3,000 people including sporting groups, dance schools, the city’s long-established brass bands and special guests from around the world.

The stunning Ring of Kerry is a scenic masterpiece
(Courtesy: pixabay)

Cork is well-known year-round for its lively nightlife but during the festival it will be bursting with music as the Lee Sessions bring masters of traditional music to pubs throughout the city.

Belfast marks St Paddy’s Day with a vibrant carnival parade and free open-air concert on March 17. The streets will be awash in color (especially green) and noise as the parade snakes  (oops, check that, better to say "winds" in this case) its way through the city center from Belfast City Hall to Writer’s Square.

Reflections of Kylemore Abbey
(Photo: Peabod)

Elsewhere, historic Limerick, which flanks the Shannon Estuary, will host a four-day festival filled with fun, fireworks and plenty of fancy dress.

On Sunday, the 15th of March, the 50th Limerick International Band Championship will strike up in the streets of the city when over 1,300 marching band musicians from across Ireland, Europe and America will compete for the coveted winners’ cup.

The grand parade, with its theme of ‘Our Future is Green’, celebrating the city's designation as a European Green Leaf City for 2020, will wend its way through the city's streets.

In Armagh, where Patrick began his Christian mission and established the city as the spiritual capital of Ireland, the annual Home of St Patrick Festival promises another exciting program of culture, music and spirituality. From March 6th to 17th, Armagh will feature a superb mix of local and international music, theater, spoken word, art and comedy emphasizing the locations where Patrick walked, worked and lived.

Killarney, on the Ring of Kerry, has four days of festivities
(Photo: peabod)

Killarney, on the spectacular Ring of Kerry, celebrates with an extravagant four-day festival promising street céilís (traditional dancing and Gaelic music), treasure hunts, greening of buildings, a grand parade and fun for the entire family.

St Patrick himself will perform the miraculous feat of leading parades all over the island of Ireland, including Sligo, celebrating 50 years of parades in 2020, and in Downpatrick in County Down, where a cavalcade of floats, bands and color will be a sight to behold.

Picturesque pub, Dublin
(Courtesy: pixabay)

No trip to St Patrick’s Day in Ireland would be complete without a visit to the national grave of St Patrick in Downpatrick. The town is also home to the St Patrick Centre, the only permanent exhibition in the world about Ireland's patron saint, as well as Down Cathedral and many other religious sites and cultural attractions associated with the great man.

If Ireland appeals but St Patrick's Day is not feasible, The Magellan Travel Club is offering a Shades of Ireland tour from July 13th to July 25th. 

In a closing bit of trivia, the "Emerald Isle" looks like this when you see it on a map:

Generic map of Ireland
(Courtesy: pixabay)

However, after too many pints of St Pat's green beer, if you turn the map 90-degrees counterclockwise it may take on the appearance of a little green terrier:

Map turned 90-degrees counter-clockwise looks like a small dog
(Courtesy: pixabay)

A word of advice if such a phenomenon occurs, it is best to seek out the "hair of the dog."

Erin go bragh!