by March 17 was Saint Patrick’s Day, and with that stems celebrations! Drinking Guinness, Harp, or any other beverage that one can get their hands on is usually what the day consists of for a majority of people.
Saint Patrick’s Day in America is universally different from how it is celebrated in Ireland, however. Here in America, it is used as an excuse to have everything that one wears be green in public, talk in a terrible Irish accent, and get trashed after having a few too many “brewskis” with the lads.
Some students however, like freshman Sean Pohl, say that they are, “just going to spend time with family and chill out, be lazy, and relax.”
Either way, Saint Patrick’s Day is to be celebrated in a multitude of ways for a majority of Americans.
The shamrock, or four-leaf clover, is the “national sign” of the Irish, so obviously it has to be celebrated and seen everywhere on the Irish holiday. In addition to the shamrock, Irish music is danced to constantly throughout the day. Fiddles, different bagpipes, and many other instruments are played in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
Corned beef and cabbage is the traditional meal of the holiday in Ireland. Irish-Americans dig in to this worldwide feast as well, so they still have some cultural aspects of the holiday’s history.
Many myths are associated with Irish culture like leprechauns, rainbows, pots of gold and other myths generated around this wonderful culture. There are even myths behind the Irish holiday as to why it is celebrated.
The myth behind Saint Patrick’s day is that Saint Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland and the shamrock is supposed to represent the Trinity that is associated with Christianity.
Yes Americans are very extra and put a twist on other cultures, but we do this all the time. Saint Patrick’s Day in America has become a drinking holiday, and of course Irish people in Ireland celebrate the day by drinking as well, but they have other symbols and honors other principles on the day. Let’s not forget the origin of Saint Patrick’s Day and the importance of the day for Irish men and women everywhere.
