On 17 March the world is painted green. Because that is Saint Patrick’s Day: Ireland’s national holiday. With parades and celebrations, the Irish all over the world commemorate the death of their patron saint Patricius, who spread Christianity on the island in the fifth century A.D.
What ingredients do I need to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in style?
- Cloverleaf
The shamrock or three-leafed clover is the unofficial symbol of Ireland. According to the legend, Saint Patrick used the plant to provide a simple explanation of the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. On Saint Patrick’s Day, revellers wear the lucky charm on their clothing. Tradition also dictates that you must regularly water the cloverleaf – drowning the shamrock – by baptising it in your glass of beer or whiskey before you drink it.
- Fifty shades of green
On 17 March the Irish dress in green, greener, greenest. With reference to the colour of the cloverleaf. Monuments, dishes and drinks are also coloured green for a day.
- Guinness and Irish whiskey
The Irish symbol is of course Guinness, a dark stout with a creamy head. The beer is still brewed in Dublin according to Arthur Guinness’ original recipe, with water, barley, hops and yeast. And for anyone who is not a fan of beer, they are sure to find something to their liking in the range of Irish whiskey.
- A few words in Irish
The two official languages in Ireland are English and Irish or Gaelic. Hiberno-English mixes the two. Saint Patrick’s Day is the perfect opportunity for learning some handy Irish expressions:
- Sláinte: cheers
- Erin go bragh: Ireland forever
- Dha Guinness le do thoil: two Guinness, please
- The perfect location
Where can you sample the Irish green folk festival? At Viage, of course! Come to the Cinna-Bar on Friday, 17 March and celebrate Paddy’s Day with us.
Open from 12 pm with a happy hour at 5 pm.
Before you enter into the green revelry, a few interesting facts:
- The harp, not the cloverleaf, is the official symbol of Ireland.
- The patron saint, Saint Patrick, was not Irish but Welsh or Scottish.
- The colour of Saint Patrick’s Day was originally blue, not green.
Beannachtaí Lá Fhéile Phádraig daoibh go léir!*
* Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
