St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations: History, Traditions and more
It’s been said that on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish. So no matter what your nationality or faith, use our St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Web Guide to find links to parades, the best places to have fun and of course, tips on beer. We’ve also provided a history of St. Patrick’s Day, and suggestions for family-friendly traditions.
Expand All Guide SectionsHistory of St. Patrick’s Day
Most of the stories about St. Patrick are more mythology than fact, but there’s still plenty to learn about the patron saint of Ireland Once you uncover the history of St. Patrick's Day, you'll see why there are many reasons to celebrate.
Insights for the History of St. Patrick’s Day
- The findingDulcinea Religion and Spirituality Web Guide is chock-full of sources for exploring religious history and holidays.
Top Sites for the History of St. Patrick’s Day
For history of St. Patrick’s Day …
The History Channel
Web site offers a robust online exhibit devoted to St. Patrick’s Day. Learn who St. Patrick was and how the holiday originated, then dive into a wide selection of interactive and educational activities.
To learn about St. Patrick …
New Advent
hosts the Catholic Encyclopedia, and provides a detailed biography of St. Patrick. The prose is somewhat archaic and understandably, highly religious, but contains a great deal of interesting information.
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.
St. Patrick’s Day Traditions
Maybe you’re not a fan of green beer, but if you think you’d enjoy a shamrock cookie or your local parade, you should find something in this section on St. Patrick's Day traditions to suit your tastes.
Insights for St. Patrick’s Day Traditions
- For more advice on party hosting or choosing the right beer, check out the findingDulcinea Hosting a Party and Beer Web Guides.
- You’ll find more sources on religious traditions associated with St. Patrick’s Day in the findingDulcinea Catholicism Web Guide, particularly in the “Beliefs, Practices and History of Catholicism” section.
Top Sites for St. Patrick’s Day Traditions
For St. Patrick’s Day-themed food and parties …
Food Network
shares numerous ideas for a St. Patrick’s Day-themed party. Choose from a long list of recipes arranged by category.
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.
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.”
For parades and celebrations …
St-Patricks-Day.com
offers 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 (some cities have failed to update their page).
For kids …
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 or get kid-friendly recipes.
Who knew?
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.
St. Patrick’s Day Travel
Our St. Patrick’s Day travel section can help you celebrate the holiday in places that are famous for their St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Learn about the holiday in Ireland, Boston and New York.
Insights for St. Patrick’s Day Travel
- Everyone knows that Boston, New York and Dublin are great places to be on the holiday, but the Irish populations in Butte, Montana and Savannah, Georgia are also worth noting.
- Visit the subsection on parades in the “Traditions of St. Patrick’s Day” section to find a parade in one of these cities, or in your own hometown.
- If you’re planning on traveling to one of these spots, visit the findingDulcinea New York City Web Guide or the findingDulcinea Ireland Travel Web Guide.
Top Sites for St. Patrick’s Day Travel
To celebrate in Ireland …
The St. Patrick’s Festival
official Web site covers the St. Paddy’s Day celebration in Dublin. Look for an events calendar listing all the activities that happen during the week and a map of the parade route.
Down District Council
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.
Tourism Ireland
offers links to St. Patrick’s Day festival details in a several Irish cities. Extend your fun in Ireland past the holiday by using the site to find various activities all over the country.
To celebrate in Boston …
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.
The Boston Irish Pub Directory
has a long list of links to Irish pubs and bars in the Boston area. The list is organized alphabetically by town and in most cases includes maps and directions.
To celebrate in New York …
New York Magazine
has a complete guide to St. Patrick’s Day in New York. Find the magazine's picks for Irish pubs, Celtic concerts, parade pointers and more.
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