St. Patrick’s Day
Held annually on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green.
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The celebration of Irish culture takes place annually on March 17. Learn about the origins and history of St. Patrick’s Day in this article.
St. Patrick is not a canonized saint, despite his well-known honorific. Still, he is known as the patron saint of Ireland and Nigeria.
Despite the holiday’s Irish origins, many St. Patrick’s Day traditions were born in the United States. Learn why we celebrate in America.
March 17 has taken on new meaning for cat lovers, who honor the church’s unofficial patron saint of felines: St. Gertrude of Nivelles.
3 Surprising Facts About St. Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick
Was St. Patrick Irish?
St. Patrick converted the Irish to Christianity, but there's more to know about Ireland's patron saint—like the fact that he wasn't Irish.
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St. Patrick’s Day is known for shamrocks, corned beef and music. Learn more about famous Irish and American traditions and symbols.
The celebration of Irish culture takes place annually on March 17. Learn about the origins and history of St. Patrick’s Day in this article.
St. Patrick is credited with spreading Christianity in Ireland. Learn about who he was, where he was born and the holiday honoring him.
Learn about the first, earliest, biggest and most famous St. Patrick's Day parades around the world, in cities including New York, Boston, Chicago and Dublin.
St. Patrick is not a canonized saint, despite his well-known honorific. Still, he is known as the patron saint of Ireland and Nigeria.
There are many myths about St. Patrick’s Day, including that Ireland’s patron saint was not truly Irish nor did he rid the nation of snakes.
The March 17 holiday is steeped in myths. These St. Patrick’s Day facts share the fun, surprising truth about the celebration.
The patron saint of Ireland first arrived in Ireland in the hold of a slave ship.
The British retreated from Boston on March 17, 1776, in the first major Patriot victory of the American Revolution.
Despite the holiday’s Irish origins, many St. Patrick’s Day traditions were born in the United States. Learn why we celebrate in America.
Why do we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day? Wearing green is an homage to leprechauns and Irish defiance.
St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland was traditionally a more solemn occasion—until Americans got involved.
