What Was that St. Pat's Madness All About?

By Laura O'Callaghan

President & C EO

Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Yesterday, on March 17, millions around the world donned green, raised a pint, and celebrated Saint Patrick's Day with parades, shamrocks, and a hearty dose of Irish cheer. If you’re nursing a post-festivity glow—or perhaps wondering why you missed the memo—this holiday’s vibrant traditions might surprise you with their depth. Many revelers join the fun without knowing its origins, so let’s explore the history of Saint Patrick’s Day, its customs, and how celebrations differ between Ireland and the United States.

The Origins: Who Was Saint Patrick?

Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, wasn’t Irish by birth. Born in Roman Britain around 385 AD, likely named Maewyn Succat, he was kidnapped at 16 by Irish raiders and enslaved as a shepherd in Ireland for six years. There, he found solace in Christianity. After escaping, he returned to Britain, became a priest, and later felt called to bring his faith back to Ireland as a missionary.

Patrick’s impact was profound. In a pagan-dominated land, he converted thousands, famously using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. Legends—like banishing snakes from Ireland (a symbol of paganism)—embellish his story, but his real achievement was blending Christianity with Irish culture. He died on March 17, around 461 AD, and that date became his feast day—a quiet religious observance for centuries before it exploded into today’s global celebration.

From Piety to Party: The Holiday’s Evolution

Saint Patrick’s Day started small in Ireland, with church services and modest reflection. Pubs often closed, and festivity took a backseat to faith. Its transformation began abroad, driven by Irish immigrants. The first recorded celebration was a parade in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1601, led by an Irish priest. But it was in 1762, when Irish soldiers in the British military marched in New York City, that the parade tradition took hold in America. As Irish immigrants poured into the U.S., especially during the Great Famine (1845–1852), the holiday became a bold statement of identity.

Ireland, meanwhile, lagged in embracing the revelry. Only in the 20th century, spurred by the diaspora’s influence and tourism, did it adopt grand parades and festivities. Today, it’s a worldwide phenomenon—but the way it’s marked in Ireland and the U.S. reveals striking differences.

Traditions: Symbols and Celebrations

Saint Patrick’s Day brims with customs, many with roots deeper than the green dye in Chicago’s river:

Wearing Green: Inspired by Ireland’s "Emerald Isle" moniker, green overtook an earlier blue association with Patrick. Folklore adds that it wards off pinching leprechauns—hence yesterday’s playful jabs at the underdressed.

Shamrocks: Patrick’s three-leafed symbol of the Trinity remains iconic. Irish tradition pinned them to lapels; now they’re everywhere, from hats to tattoos.

Parades: What started in America is now global. Bagpipes, step dancing, and floats turned yesterday’s streets into a sea of green.

Food and Drink: Corned beef and cabbage (an American twist) contrasts with Ireland’s lamb or bacon with potatoes. Guinness flowed freely yesterday, a modern indulgence once curbed by Lenten rules.

Leprechauns: These folklore tricksters, amplified by commercialization, add whimsy—especially in the U.S.

Ireland vs. the United States: A Celebration Comparison

While both nations toasted Saint Patrick yesterday, their approaches differ:

Scale and Style: In Ireland, celebrations are a national affair but retain a cultural core. Dublin’s multi-day festival blends parades with traditional music, dance, and storytelling, drawing tourists yet staying rooted in heritage. The U.S., however, goes big and bold. Cities like New York and Boston host massive parades, while Chicago dyes its river green—a spectacle unseen in Ireland. American festivities lean into excess, with green beer and party vibes often overshadowing the saint himself.

Religious Roots: Ireland still nods to Patrick’s legacy with church services, especially in rural areas, reflecting its history as a feast day during Lent. In the U.S., the religious aspect is secondary; it’s more a secular celebration of Irish-American identity.

Food and Drink: Irish menus might feature colcannon or soda bread alongside a pint, while corned beef reigns in the U.S.—a dish born from immigrant adaptation, not Irish tradition. Booze flows in both, but America’s green-tinted excess contrasts with Ireland’s more measured pub culture.

Tone: Ireland’s festivities feel like a homecoming—proud yet intimate. The U.S. version is louder, brasher, and more universal, inviting everyone to be “Irish for a day.”

They’re not the same, then. Ireland’s day honors its saint and soul; America’s remixes it into a blockbuster party. Both, though, trace back to the same diaspora-driven spirit.

A Day Late, But Timeless

Yesterday’s Saint Patrick’s Day reminded us how a missionary’s legacy became a global bash. Whether you celebrated with a quiet prayer, a parade, or a pint, it’s a story of resilience and reinvention. Ireland and the U.S. may differ in their revelry, but they share a thread of Irish pride—woven through centuries and continents. So, if you missed it, there’s always next March 17. 

Sláinte!