St. Patrick’s Day: History, Traditions and Celebrations

The History Channel Web site offers a robust online exhibit devoted to St. Patrick’s Day. Learn about who St. Patrick was and how the holiday originated, then dive into a wide selection of interactive and educational activities. Take quizzes, explore Ireland online or watch videos that include beer profiles, parade footage and interviews with famous Irish people.

New Advent hosts the Catholic Encyclopedia, which provides a longer, more detailed biography of St. Patrick than the one at The History Channel Web site. The prose is somewhat archaic and understandably, highly religious, but contains a great deal of interesting information, such as the complete words to the famous prayer, “St. Patrick’s Breast-Plate.”

The Catholic Information Network publishes “The Confessio,” or confession, of St. Patrick, a firsthand account of his journey to Ireland.

The BBC did a 2006 feature on the “history and myths” of St. Patrick’s Day. Learn about the many questions swirling around St. Patrick, including whether a Church authority authorized his expedition to Ireland.

Food Network shares numerous ideas for a St. Patrick’s Day-themed party. Choose from wittily titled categories, such as “Born and Bread in Ireland,” or go directly to a page of St. Patrick’s Day recipes. And, of course, you’ll find information on the holiday’s most essential element with  “Beer Basics.” 

Martha Stewart’s St. Patrick’s Day selections include fun and simple suggestions for treats you can bring to your office or child’s school, as well as some complex dinner recipes. You can even watch a video on making holiday beef and cabbage. (It’s on the top right corner of the main St. Patrick’s Day page.)

Fabulous Foods inundates you with St. Patrick’s Day-themed content, offering an extensive selection of recipes, trivia about the holiday, Irish limericks and toasts, and even a piece on “Leprechauns and How To Find Them.” Explore some charming projects for kids, learn the meaning of the shamrock or scour links and recommendations for more holiday ideas.

St-Patricks-Day.com is a site devoted to spreading spirit and uniting the Irish diaspora around the time of the holiday. You’ll find numerous suggestions for holiday celebrations and traditions. Of particular worth is the list of parades in the U.S and abroad. Choose your country or state and find your local parade.

StPatricksDayParade.com links to information on parades around the U.S. Search by a few select states, or use the alphabetized list of parades. Find information about this year’s parades. Please note that a few cities have failed to update their page. The site has some organizational troubles and looks a bit hokey, but if you can’t find your city on the site above, you may find it here.

Kaboose shares a host of St. Patrick’s Day activities that parents and kids can enjoy together. Choose from a few crafts projects, plan a St. Patrick’s Day party using Kaboose’s ideas for invitations and themed games or get kid-friendly recipes.

Fatfree Vegan Recipes demonstrates how everyone, even vegans and vegetarians, can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by eating corned beef and cabbage—or the next best equivalent, anyway—with this entirely vegan recipe.

The New York Times reported in 2007 that “Irish Soda Bread” isn’t actually the kind you’d have in Ireland. However, it does taste a lot better. To read the article, you’ll need to register for a free New York Times account.

The St. Patrick’s Festival official Web site has all the information you’ll need to get the most out of the St. Paddy’s Day celebration in Dublin. Look for an events calendar listing all the activities that happen during the week, including many family-friendly events and cultural workshops. Another helpful feature is a map of the parade route, complete with numbered locations for other events worth visiting, including a comedy circus.

The Saint Patrick’s Day Festival Web site introduces Downpatrick, the rumored burial place of St. Patrick, and another favorite spot for celebrating the festivities. Find a calendar loaded with cultural and recreational events, many of which are free. Review Festival Highlights for a condensed list of entertainment opportunities, including an Irish dancing workshop. Or visit the photo gallery.

Tourism Ireland offers links to St. Patrick’s Day festival details in a few different Irish cities. Extend your fun in Ireland past the holiday by using the site to find various activities in all regions of the country.

The Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA) offers a list of St. Patrick Day parades in the Boston area. The site is a hub for Irish cultural events and activities in Boston, such as the Irish Heritage Trail. To get a full list of upcoming activities, choose a month from the calendar at the top of the parade page, or visit the BITA home page.

The Boston Irish Pub Directory looks a bit dinky, but its list of links to Irish pubs and bars in the Boston area is actually quite useful. The list is organized alphabetically by town and in most cases includes maps and directions.

New York Magazine gives the lowdown on New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Find out when the parade begins, where it starts, who’s involved and the most ideal viewing spots. If you’re looking to make mischief after the parade, have a drink at one of the best New York City bars for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. (Call ahead to make sure your chosen bar is still in operation.)