Green hats, green beer, people jolly and drunk and pubs overflowing are all part of a day that is celebrated almost worldwide.
So hang on, the world now celebrates in excess of alcohol and revelry, the death of a Saint in Ireland, who grew Christianity substantially to Ireland.
This seems like some commercial entities have gotten hold of something good again.....think Christmas and Easter.
Who was Patrick
So Patrick who was alive in the 5th century, was born into a wealthy family, but had very religious parents and grandparents, but at the age of 16 he was kidnapped and spent the next 6 years as a shepherd.
It was here that he found God himself, and returned to Northern Ireland to spread the world of God among his old country folk.
So this crazy celebration of such a man and what he did just doesn't tie up! If you thought the same, then you would be correct.
In fact the type of celebrations we know to happen on St Patricks day don't happen everywhere. In Ireland it is not celebrated like it is elsewhere. Many people actually attend church on the day, and until the 20th century it wasn't even a thing in Ireland. It was more a North American tradition that spread to Ireland later.
It only started being celebrated in Ireland as St Patricks day since 1903, when James O'Mara introduced a bill that made it a holiday in Ireland.
This sounds nuts...because it is!
Alcohol and the day
What is interesting about the day is that alcohol was in fact banned from the day until quite recently.
It was not allowed till 1960, because Ireland is heavily Catholic, and revelling till late in the night while drinking was considered too sinful, so laws prohibited bars from being open on March the 17th.
This is perhaps why it is seen as a day to go a little mad with the alcoholic beverages, because now it is lifted.
Of course the green attire, the Shamrocks (young sprig that was said to be used by St Patrick as an example of the trinity for the pagan Irish people) and the leprechaun type outfits all are used as part of the Irish culture, and the Irish seem to enjoy that celebration with those around the world.
In fact these days politicians and Irish personalities use the celebrations to promote Ireland and the culture.
Now there are festivals and parades where everyone wears green, shows the Shamrocks on everything, drink lots of alcohol and generally use it as an excuse to go crazy.
It is also a national holiday in Ireland, yet there are some that are displeased it has become overly commercialized and creates a negative image of the people in Ireland.
Whatever it is, or wherever it came from, most people know about it.
I for one, wonder what poor 'ol St Patrick himself would think about the day's celebrations and what the day has become?
Interesting thought?