1. Believe it or not, St Patrick wasn’t Irish
Actually his parents were roman citizens living in modern-day England, either in Scotland or Wales.
2. St Patrick had the misfortune of being enslaved… at the young age of 16!
He was kidnapped and taken away to Gaelic Ireland. It is actually during this time that he "’found God’’. Thankfully, he did manage to return home six years later at the age of 22, when he went on to become a priest. However, St Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity.
3. 17th March, the day we celebrate so eagerly, was actually the day of St Patrick’s death not birth. A bit contradictory, isn’t it? .
However, let’s not ruin the high spirits of this day and of it think as the day he entered heaven. So drink to that!
4. It may seem absurd but there are more Irish in the USA than in Ireland.
Ireland’s population is said to be about 4.6 million, whilst an estimated 34 million Americans have Irish ancestry; that is, the Irish-American population is seven times larger than Ireland’s!
5. Unsurprisingly, the Americans take this day very seriously as well.
In fact, more than 100 St Patrick’s Day parades are held every year in the USA and the NYC parade is one of the world’s largest parades.
6. Like Daft Punk, Chicago wants to “get lucky” as well.
The city celebrates St Patrick’s Day by dumping about 40 tons of green dye into the Chicago River. Don’t worry they literally "’go green’’ as the city uses natural vegetable dye.
7. Even the White House in Washington D.C changes from "white’ to green for this special day.
The water in the fountain on the North Lawn has been being dyed green since 2009. This trend began after Michelle Obama’s request (as she is originally from Chicago as well).
8. And people, there is no such thing as female leprechauns.
Don’t be fooled by any holiday decorations or costume shops selling such costumes, because that would be totally incorrect according to traditional Irish folk tales. So don’t even bother as you wouldn’t impress any Irish citizens.
9. If you want to impress an Irish man or an Irish woman, why not try this tongue twister: Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit!
Rule of thumb: Just get to know them a little bit first, just in case they don’t know any Gaelic Irish themselves and that would be a completely awkward situation for both of you.
10. This festive day was celebrated in space… twice!
In 2011 and 2013 a few astronauts perfectly demonstrated how one does not simply miss out on this day’s celebration.
Don’t forget that even our little island joins this global fun every year, when can visit some of the Irish pubs found around Malta, but this year there will also be a concert held in Floriana (opposite the police HQ) with top local talent performing including Red Electrick and a band called TURAS coming all the way from Dublin.
PS: If you are not a fan of alcohol, do not miss out on the fun! You can stay home and bake some delicious, gorgeous cookies or cupcakes decorated specifically for this day.
And you don’t even have to worry about the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol as they are lifted for the day, which has encouraged the holiday’s tradition of alcohol consumption. This day must undoubtedly be the favourite feast for brewers, because in 2012 it was estimated that the total amount spent on beer for St Patrick’s Day celebrations was approximately $245 million!
The Third Eye encourages responsible drinking and advises abstainance from driving under the influence of alcohol.
