St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17. Although not an official holiday in the United States, St. Patrick's Day has a long history of being celebrated with parades, parties and general goodwill toward all things Irish. The day commemorates Bishop Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland in the Fifth Century.
What do the colors of the Irish Flag represent?
Its three equal stripes illustrate the Irish political landscape as accurately today as in 1848, the year the flag was first unfurled.
orange — standing for Irish Protestants
green — signifying Irish Catholics and the republican cause
white — representing the hope for peace between them
What is a Shamrock?
A Shamrock is a plant with leaves composed of three leaflets. According to legend it was used by St. Patrick in explaining the doctrine of the Trinity; it is now used as the emblem of Ireland. An artificial or real shamrock leaf is customarily worn on St. Patrick's Day.
The popular phrases "Erin go Bragh" or "Erin go Braugh" mean Ireland forever. The Erin-go-Bragh flag, sometimes called the Irish-American flag, features a gold harp surrounded by clover with the words Erin-go-Bragh (Ireland Forever) on a field of green. Versions of this flag were carried by Irish regiments in the civil war.
What Are Leprechauns?
Leprechaun (Old Irish for "small body"), in Irish folklore, a fairy in the shape of an old man, sometimes conceived as a cobbler, with a hidden store of gold. The challenge, of course, comes in capturing the illusive little creatures and gaining possession of their treasures.
What is a Blarney Stone?
A stone in Blarney Castle near Cork, Ireland, it is said to impart skill in flattery to anyone who kisses it. Why? Legend has it an old women cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. By kissing the stone, he gained the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly.
What is Wearing of the Green?
Irish legend states that green clothes attract faeries and aid crops.
Where Can A Pot of Gold Be Found?
Rainbows reveal where pots of gold are hidden, so leprechauns sometimes spend all day moving their crocks from one spot to another to allude the tell-tale end of the rainbow. A mortal who is able to catch a leprechaun can make him tell where his riches are hidden. However, if the leprechaun can trick his captor into looking away even for an instant, he can escape and save his wealth.
