A global celebration of Irish roots and good fortune

St. Patrick’s Day has become a global celebration of Irish heritage, with the United States being the epicentre of festivities.

Although originally a solemn religious day in Ireland, the celebration has evolved into a boisterous, cultural event in America, marked by parades, food, drinks, and, of course, the wearing of green.

The day honours St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Born in the late fourth century, Patrick was captured and enslaved in Ireland as a teenager, later escaping to become a priest.

He returned to Ireland in the fifth century to spread Christianity, and his efforts led to his canonisation by the Catholic Church.

March 17 was designated as his feast day, and over time, it became a significant celebration in both Ireland and the Irish diaspora worldwide.

In the United States, Irish immigrants brought the celebration with them.

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in Manhattan in 1762, and since then, the day has grown into a cultural festival.

While the holiday maintained a religious tone in Ireland until the 20th century, it became more of a secular celebration in the US, enjoyed by people of all backgrounds, even those without Irish heritage.

The adoption of the day as a national celebration in the US allowed Irish immigrant communities, who faced discrimination in the 19th century, to “stake their claim” and show their contribution to American society, says Leigh Schmidt, a professor at Washington University.

For those celebrating the day, the four-leaf clover has become a symbol of good luck, although it is rare to find one.

It’s said that the four-leaf clover’s rarity is due to a genetic mutation, but those with a keen eye often come across this lucky plant, with some even gifting them to others as tokens of good fortune.