Happy St Patrick's Day!

Today is 17th March, the Feast of Saint Patrick (or, more correctly Lá Fhéile Pádraig), and a public holiday throughout Ireland. Patrick was not the first person to bring Christianity to Ireland, as the faith was practised there long before his time, but he was very successful at converting the pagan Celts. He was not an Irishman either, and was actually born under the Roman occupation somewhere on the British mainland, probably between 390AD and 385AD. And while he is Ireland's primary patron saint, he is not their only one! In fact, Ireland has three patron saints: St Patrick, St Brigit, and St Columba.

Left: St. Patrick's Bracelet, Poshracrafts, Right: St. Patrick's Day Pendant, NancysCrystalFantasy

Much of the information we have about St Patrick comes two of his letters which have survived. One, known as the Declaration, is a kind of a spiritual autobiography which gives a brief account of his life and work. In this letter, Patrick describes how he was captured into Irish slavery as a teenager, then in later life returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary, following visions entreating him to convert the pagans there. But as a foreigner in Ireland, he had no legal status and was not regarded with respect - indeed, according to his writings, Patrick was mistreated, beaten, robbed and imprisoned on more than one occasion.

Left: Celtic Influence Necklace, LoveStoneArts Right: Four Leaf Clover Toe Ring, dashery

Ireland is fondly known as the Emerald Isle, and it is certainly very green and always seems to be raining when I'm there! It has been associated with the color green for centuries, and shamrocks, the national flower of Ireland, have been worn on St Patrick's Day since the late 17th century. The word shamrock comes from the Irish word seamróg, which means small clover, and legend has it that Patrick used the three leaves of the trefoil plant as a metaphor, to explain the three parts of the trinity to his Christian converts. It is a popular myth that Patrick wore green robes, but this is extremely unlikely.
There is also a story that Patrick banished all the snakes in Ireland by driving them into the sea. But there were almost certainly never any snakes in Ireland in the first place, and this myth probably symbolizes his driving out pagan practices in favor of Christianity.

Left: Emerald Green Earrings, BlackDragonflies3 Right: Green Agate Necklace, ELEVEN13

So, what does St Patrick's Day mean to Irish people today? According to Edna Barth, "For most Irish people in Ireland the day has little to do with religion at all. St. Patrick's Day church services are followed by parades and parties, the latter being the best attended. The festivities are marked by Irish music, songs, and dances."

John Nagle agrees: "Like many other forms of carnival, St. Patrick's Day is a feast day, a break from Lent in which adherents are allowed to temporarily abandon rigorous fasting by indulging in the forbidden. Since alcohol is often proscribed during Lent the copious consumption of alcohol is seen as an integral part of St. Patrick's Day." Sounds good to me, although along with other English people I don't celebrate it.

Left: Black Rhinestone Shamrock Brooch, LovesVintageDelights Right: St Patricks Day Earrings, RoughMagicHolidays

But please please please, NEVER call him Patty. Patty is a girl's name in Ireland, and is short for Patricia, not Patrick. My Irish friends and family living in Dublin, Cork and Kerry - several of whom are named Paddy - get very upset indeed if St Patrick is referred to as Patty! The correct nickname for Patrick is either Paddy, which derives from the Irish Pádraig, or Pat. So, feel free to call him St Patrick, St Pat, or St Paddy if you like, but NEVER EVER St Patty!