Thurles St. Patrick's Day Parade Sunday 21st March 2010

Marching Band at St. Patricks day Parade Thurles Ireland

Who was St. Patrick?

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling. It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D.

At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity. After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice – which he believed to be God’s – spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland. So, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from Co. Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast.

After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation – an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission – to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honouring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross. Although there were a small number of Christians in Ireland when Patrick arrived, most Irish practiced a nature based pagan religion. The Irish culture centred round a rich tradition of oral legend & myth. When this is considered, it is no surprise that the story of Patrick’s life became exaggerated over the centuries – spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of the Irish way of life.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day has come to be associated with all things Irish, including luck, rainbows, leprechauns, shamrocks and anything green or gold. It is believed that we celebrate this day on March 17th to celebrate the day of St. Patrick’s death. As the Irish immigrated throughout the world, they took their history, beliefs and traditions with them – especially the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. Although he was born nearly 1600 years ago, his presence is still felt today around the world.

The Shamrock

Of all the symbols associated with Ireland, the Shamrock is probably the most recognized. There are several reasons for this. The shamrock is believed to have been used by St. Patrick to explain the concept of the Catholic Holy Trinity. Since Ireland today is over 90% Catholic, this is a natural symbol. The green of the shamrock plant is often used to remind us of the “40 shades of green” seen on the Irish hillsides. The Shamrock (growing freely as clover throughout the world) was an inexpensive symbol for the very poor Irish to wear as a way of celebrating their history and traditions.

The Irish Flag

Ireland’s flag has possessed a lasting relevance and is rich in Irish history. This flag is known as the ‘Tricolour’, the national flag of the Republic of Ireland. The flag has three equal stripes and illustrates the Irish political landscape. It was officially recognized in 1848 – the year the flag was first unfurled.

Green – Signifying Irish Catholics and the republican cause

White – Representing the hope for peace between Catholic and Protestant

Orange – Standing for Irish Protestants

The Irish Harp

The harp, although not as widely known as the Shamrock as an Irish symbol, has historically been used as the official symbol of Ireland and has been in Irish “Coats of Arms” for many centuries. Even today, the small harp can be seen on Irish coins, flags, and other official Irish symbols.

The Claddagh Ring

The traditional wedding ring of the Irish since the 17th Century, the Royal Claddagh ring is today worn as a universal symbol of love, loyalty, friendship and fidelity. For love, we wear the heart. In friendship we wear the hands. In loyalty and lasting fidelity we wear the crown.

Irish Proverbs and Sayings

Is fearr rith maith ná droch-sheasamh

Cuir gach rud ar an méar fhada agus beidh an mhéar fhada róghearr ar ball

Ní bhíonn saoi gan locht

Is binn béal ina thost

Éist le fuaim na habhann agus gheobhaid tú breac

Sláinte an bhradáin chughat: croí foláin agus gob fliuch

An rud a théann I bhfad, téann sé I bhfuaire

Ní dhéanfadh an saol capall rása d’asal

Ní Bhíonn airgead amadáin I bhfad in a phóca

Bíonn saibhir agus daibhir le chéile ar neamh

Maireann croí éadrom I bhfad