St Patrick's Day

Celebrated each year on 17 March, St Patrick’s Day, now a global celebration. It has come to be known as the day that people adorn themselves with green clothing and hats, paint shamrocks on their faces and drink Guinness, while the Chicago River is dyed a traditional green.

   

But how much do we really know about St Patrick, who revellers owe their festivities to, and the ‘Irish’ traditions so widely celebrated each year?

"May the Irish hills caress you;
may her lakes and rivers bless you;
may the luck of the Irish enfold you;
may the blessings of St Patrick behold you"

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But do you really know who St. Patrick was and why he is celebrated?

Patrick was born in AD 387 just south of Hadrian’s Wall in Britain, which was part of the Roman Empire (that's right — he wasn't Irish!). He was captured by Irish pagans in his early teens and taken to Ireland, where he was enslaved for six years. During that time, he grew to like the spirit of the Irish. When he escaped and returned to his family, he vowed to one day return to Ireland.

He studied at monasteries on the continent and was eventually ordained a priest and then a bishop. Pope Celestine I commissioned Patrick to be an apostle to Ireland.

Patrick initially encountered many hardships among the pagans, particularly the druids. They weren’t willing to give up their power over the old religion and feared Patrick and Christianity. Although the ruling monarch, King Laoghaire, didn’t convert to Christianity, many of his family members did, and little by little, the old religion began to fade. Patrick traveled from town to town, tearing down idols and temples and establishing the Catholic Church. By AD 444, the primatial see and first cathedral of Ireland were built in Armagh.

He baptized, confirmed, and ordained priests, and he erected schools and monasteries. Thousands came into the Church under his direction. He accomplished all these activities in less than 30 years, during which time the whole island nation of Ireland was converted. Toward the end of his life, he wrote Confessions, in which he gives a record of his life and mission. He died on March 17, 461, of natural causes. He is buried in Downpatrick in present-day Northern Ireland.

Many stories are told in connection with St. Patrick. The three-leaf clover was said to be used by the saintly bishop to explain the Trinity to the pagans, which is why it is such a common St. Patrick's Day symbol today. Another legend has Patrick driving all the snakes out of Ireland; snakes were a popular symbol among the Irish pagans. He is certainly one of the most revered saints in the Catholic Church.

Today, St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, of many dioceses throughout the English-speaking world, and of engineers. He is also invoked against the fear of snakes and snakebites.


Trivia

• St Patrick was not Irish

• It’s unlikely St Patrick rid Ireland of its snakes…

• Green was not his colour

• The first St Patrick’s Day parade was not held in Ireland

• Ireland is not the biggest consumer of Guinness 

 

 

16 Of The Craziest Festivals Around The World That Bring People Closer Together

Every year all around the world a wide variety of crazy festivals take place. Some are colorful, others are messy, and many more are simply beautiful. Here we countdown 17 of the craziest festivals from all around the world, the only requirement is that they bring people from all walks of life closer together.

1. Holi Color Festival in India

2. Winter Light Festival in Japan

Every year from mid November to mid March, Kuwana City holds a traditional Winter Light Festival, which includes the famous tunnel of light.

3. Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Thailand

The Festival of Lights is celebrated throughout all of Thailand, but in Chiang Mai the festivities are a bit different. Instead of releasing lotus-shaped receptacles onto the water, people in Chiang Mai release lighted lanterns into the sky while simultaneously making a wish. The exact date of the festival is never known more than a few weeks in advance.

4. Agitagueda Art Festival in Portugal

5. Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan

The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan’s largest winter festivities, attracting more and more people from near and far every year. In fact, over 2 million people visit the event in order to see incredible snow and ice sculptures, like this Star Wars inspired masterpiece.

6. Cherry Blossom Lantern Festival in Japan

This picture is from the 2013 cherry blossom lantern festival held at Honmyō-ji in Kumamoto, Japan.

7. Golden Retriever Festival in Scotland

The Golden Retriever Club of Scotland puts on the annual Golden Retriever Festival. Since 2006, the club has held the dog party at the ancestral home of the beautiful golden breed. Last year’s gathering set a record with 222 dogs in attendance.

8. Dia De Los Muertos Festival in Mexico

The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico, as well as all around the world. It is held in order to pray for and remember loved ones that have passed on.

9. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in USA

Albuquerque, New Mexico holds an annual Balloon Fiesta in early October. The spectacular 9-day event includes over 500 balloons, and is known as the largest hot air balloon festival in the entire world.

10. The International Highline Meeting Festival, Monte Piana, Italy

This festival offers unmatched views of the Italian Alps, as participants hang out on these highflying hammocks.

11. Floating Lanterns Festival in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

A must-see festival held annually on Memorial Day.

12. Burning Man Festival in Nevada, USA

The annual Burning Man Festival is a celebration of art, music, and everything creative. It is held in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

13. The Fuji Shibazakura Festival in Japan

This festival offers breathtaking views of Mount Fuji accented by endless fields of pink moss, or shibazakura.

14. Songkran Water Festival in Thailand

This Water Festival is a New Year’s celebration in Southeast Asian countries. Westerners refer to it as the ‘water festival’ because people pour water on one another as a cleansing ritual in preparation for the new year. In Thailand the festival starts on April 13 and extends to April 15.

15. La Tomatina Festival in Spain

16. Baby Jumping Fiesta in Spain

This annual festival includes men dressed in traditional devil’s clothing jumping over babies lined up in the streets.