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About St. Patrick's Day

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About St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day, on 17 March, honours Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who brought Christianity to the island in the fifth century. It is a national holiday in Ireland.

Tradition says Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, which is why the shamrock became a symbol of the day and of Ireland.

Today it is a worldwide celebration of Irish culture. Cities hold parades with marching bands and Irish dancers, rivers and landmarks glow green, and families share soda bread, stew and music. Many people still begin the day at church.

  • 17 March every year
  • Feast of Ireland's patron saint
  • Green, shamrocks and parades
  • Ireland, US, Canada, UK, Australia

Where it began

Saint Patrick lived in the fifth century. He was born in Britain, was taken to Ireland as a young man and later returned as a missionary. He is remembered for bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Legend says he used the three leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. Another story says he drove the snakes out of Ireland, though Ireland likely had no snakes after the ice age. The 17th of March is held to be the day he died.

A pipe band marches in the St Patrick parade

How it grew over time

  1. 5th century

    Saint Patrick worked as a missionary in Ireland.

  2. Early 1600s

    The church set 17 March as his feast day.

  3. 1700s

    Irish people living in North America held some of the first parades.

  4. 1903

    St Patrick's Day became a public holiday in Ireland.

  5. Today

    Cities around the world light up famous buildings in green.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Dublin, Ireland

    A festival over several days brings a big parade, music and street theatre.

  • New York City

    One of the oldest and largest parades marches up Fifth Avenue.

  • Chicago

    The river is dyed bright green for the day.

  • Montserrat

    The Caribbean island keeps a public holiday with Irish and African roots.

  • Australia and the UK

    Irish communities hold parades, ceili dances and pub music.

St. Patrick's Day moments

Irish dancers step out along the parade route
Pipes and drums fill the street with music

St. Patrick's Day today

People wear green or a shamrock, go to parades and enjoy Irish music and dance. Families share foods like soda bread, and many go to church in the morning.

How people celebrate St. Patrick's Day

  • Wearing green and a shamrock
  • Parades and marching bands
  • Irish music and dancing
  • Landmarks lit up green
  • Soda bread and Irish stew
  • Church services in the morning

How to wish well

  • "Happy St. Patrick's Day" is the usual greeting. In Irish it is "Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit".
  • An Irish blessing makes a warm message for family and older friends.
  • Keep humour gentle and clean; avoid jokes built on stereotypes about Irish people.
  • "St. Paddy's" is the friendly short form; "St. Patty's" is common in the US but some Irish people dislike it.

Questions about St. Patrick's Day

When is St. Patrick's Day?

On 17 March every year. If it falls in Holy Week, the church feast may move, but the public celebrations stay on 17 March.

Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day?

Green is linked to Ireland, the Emerald Isle, and to the shamrock. In the US, children may playfully pinch anyone not wearing green.

What do you say on St. Patrick's Day?

"Happy St. Patrick's Day". In Irish, "Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit" (Happy St. Patrick's Day to you).

Who was Saint Patrick?

A fifth-century missionary born in Britain, who was taken to Ireland as a young man, later returned as a bishop and became Ireland's patron saint.

Is St. Patrick's Day a public holiday?

Yes in Ireland and Northern Ireland, and in some other places such as Montserrat and Newfoundland and Labrador. Elsewhere it is a working day.

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