8 things to know about St. Patrick's Day
March 17 is St. Patrick's Day, Irish National Day. The event, known throughout the world, is also celebrated around the world. You want to be unbeatable on the subject? Here are 8 things to know!
The legend that surrounds St. Patrick
According to the story, he would have explained the Christianity to the Irish in a sermon , using a clover. March 17 marks the date of his death, and has been considered a religious holiday in the country for over 1,000 years.
St. Patrick's name was not really Patrick ...
His real name was indeed Maewyn Succat . Became a fervent Catholic, it was the pope who entrusted him with the mission of converting Ireland to Christianity that would have attributed "Patricius".
... and was not even Irish!
He is believed to have come from Britain and to have joined Ireland at the age of 15 as a slave to keep sheep. Having become very religious, he is then forced to flee the country. He will return to it a few years later, as a priest, to become the founder of Irish Christianity.
Snakes in Ireland?
Legend has it that St. Patrick liberated the island from snakes. Nevertheless, according to scientists, no snake would ever have been present on Irish soil. These reptiles would be more of a metaphor referring to the pagans who were driven out of the territory.
Blue, not green
The color of St. Patrick's Day would be blue, not green, as some historians claim. As proof, an old Irish flag that is tinged with blue and not green.
It was during the Irish rebellion of 1798 that clover and green color became symbols of nationalism.
A party that was not really a
Until 1961, a law forced Irish pubs to close because St. Patrick's Day was falling in Lent.
Beer is flowing
On St. Patrick's Day, the consumption of Guinness, the famous Irish dark beer, explodes: 13 million pints are consumed during the day, or 150 liters per second .
Parades all over the world
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, many parades take place in Dublin and throughout Ireland, but also outside the country where Irish expatriates celebrate this important day.
One of the most spectacular parades takes place in New York where nearly two million curious travel each year on 5 th Avenue to admire.