As the March sun shines down, millions of parade goers across the country strut the streets in floppy hats and cloverleaf glasses. In schools, children snack on chocolate coins and playfully pinch any playmate who has no spec of green in their attire. Thousands of people are upholding traditions consisting of soda bread, corned beef and cabbage, and are partying like there is no tomorrow. Everybody seems to be in a happy-go-lucky mood. To Americans, it isn’t hard to recognize this holiday as St. Patrick’s Day. But to the Irish, this day has another meaning, one that has been stripped away and generalized as time goes on.
One big generalization that the Irish face is that they consume a lot of alcohol, especially on this date. It’s ironic that they are constantly being stereotyped as this when everybody seems to be binge drinking on March 17 except them. St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland originally was a religious holiday celebrated by prayer and attending mass. It was a feast day deemed by the Catholic Church to be dedicated to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who converted the Irish to Christianity. The drinking craze only picked up as Irish immigrants in the 1840s brought the celebration to America. As it became bigger, Americans adopted the holiday as their own and used it as an excuse to get intoxicated-often to an extreme extent. According to The Recovery Village, on average, drinkers on this day in the States consume 4.2 drinks and spend $42 on them. This drinking proves to be fatal in some cases. It is estimated that a drunk driving death happens every 30 minutes during St. Patrick’s Day.
As St. Patrick’s Day shifted from a strictly religious holiday to one associated with heavy partying, it is important to note that it also became a testament to Irish resilience. After the devastating Potato Famine of the 1840s, which slashed Ireland’s population from 8 million to 6.5 million through starvation and emigration, Irish immigrants brought their traditions to cities like New York. By 1858, the Irish Brigade led one of the first major St. Patrick’s Day parades, turning the holiday into a proud display of heritage even in hardship. Decades later, during the Troubles, Irish celebrations persisted despite violent attacks like the 1976 St. Patrick’s Day bombing. History proves that this holiday is more than just a party—it is a story of perseverance. People need to recognize and learn about the nation’s past, not just celebrate its symbols.
While learning about Irish history is essential, St. Patrick’s Day is not just about looking back—it can also be a time for people to celebrate, connect with and embrace Irish culture in the present. For many, it is the one day a year when they truly feel connected to their Irish roots, whether through food, music or a shared sense of pride. And you do not have to be Irish to join in. Whether it is indulging in classic Irish dishes, enjoying traditional music or simply appreciating the culture’s rich heritage, St. Patrick’s Day is an open invitation to experience the camaraderie that defines Ireland.
Although St. Patrick’s Day has transformed into a more universal holiday, it is also crucial to educate yourself on the origins of it, and the struggles that Irish people have faced and continue to face under British rule. Maybe this March 17 when you look at an Irish flag, before your thoughts instantly flood with leprechauns and cloverleafs, you will see for a split second a desperate plea for a country’s unification, and an end to the violence they face.
