5 Things You Didn't Know About St. Patrick's Day – Including the True Meaning of the Shamrock
If you're looking for a little St. Patrick's Day facts to speak about over some corned beef and cabbage … Well then you have come to the perfect place. These are fun facts to share in a conversation at work, with those who may not be well informed.
Every March 17th St. Patrick's Day rolls around and you will see people in bright green outfits marching in parades to celebrate this joyful holiday. But, most of us don't really know the true meaning of the holiday. It is celebrated inside and outside of Ireland, as both a religious and cultural holiday. It is observed on March 17th because it is said to be the day of St. Patrick's death.
Before you put your shamrock t-shirt on and watch the famous parade in NYC, check out these 5 fun tidbits:
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Patrick Was Not His Given Name
"Patrick's 'real name was Maewyn Succat, or in Latin, Magonus Succetus," reveals Giraffe Childcare and Early Learning, citing Irish legend, in a recent educational infographic it created for the holiday. He took on the name Patrick when he became a priest.
The True Meaning Of The Shamrock
The shamrock is not the symbol of Ireland. That honor goes to the harp. A popular icon of the holiday, the shamrock was used by St. Patrick to teach the Holy Trinity.
There are No Female Leprechauns
If Irish folk tales are to be believed, the mystical beings are expressly male.
St. Patrick's Day Beers Were Verboten for Decades in Ireland
Despite the majority of modern-day St. Patrick's Day celebrations centering around bar crawls and drink specials, from 1903 until 1970 all pubs were closed on the holiday due to religious observances.
Beantown Started the Party in the U.S.
The first St. Patrick's Day celebration took place in America in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737.
