Saint Patrick's Day
March 17, 2026
The patron saint and equivalent of the National Day in Ireland, Saint Patrick played a key role in the Christianization of Ireland. March 17 is a festive day when the beer flows freely.
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated during Lent, and it is traditional to break the Lenten fast on this day.
Origin of Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day has its origins in Ireland. Saint Patrick is credited with having brought Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century and is said to have explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a shamrock, which became the symbol of this celebration.
How and where is Saint Patrick's Day celebrated around the world?
In Ireland, Saint Patrick's Day is both a national holiday and a public holiday. The festivities include parades, concerts, theatre performances and fireworks. The United States also hosts some of the largest celebrations, in particular in New York and Boston. In Canada, Saint Patrick's Day is widely celebrated, notably in Montreal, which organizes every year one of the oldest Saint Patrick's Day parades. In the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland, Saint Patrick's Day is marked by parades, traditional Irish music and dancing.
See also
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Similar events
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External links
- https://www.ireland.com