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The origins of St Patrick’s Day
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world on 17 March in honour of the patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick. It’s a day celebrated with everything Irish, green or gold.
Patrick’s birth name was Maewyn. He was born in Britain during the 4th century. As a teenager, he was kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland. Maewyn later escaped to a monastery in France and converted to Christianity. He returned to Ireland as a missionary. Maweyn took the name Patrick when he became a bishop.
According to Irish folklore, Patrick used the shamrock to explain the concept of God to the Irish (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Patrick evangelised for 30 years, establishing churches, monasteries and schools. He died on 17 March 460 AD and was canonised by the local church.
St Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737 by a large group of Irish immigrants.
