By Shaia Culligan
Saint Patrick’s day has been celebrated for more than 1,500 years, and it’s all because of one guy named, you guessed it, St. Patrick.
According to Peperdinne Library, Patrick was born in southwestern Britain. His dad and grandfather both worked in a church. At the age of 16 pirates kidnapped him and took him to Ireland. He prayed every day and one day in a dream he heard a voice that said, “Soon you will return to your homeland,” and, “Come and see, your ship is waiting for you.” After hearing those things, he fled back to his home.
Catholic Saint Medals says Patrick returned home and for about 30 years and spoke to mainly the Pagans and taught them the teachings of Jesus Christ. Patrick accomplished many things like surviving more than 10 captures by enemies, put together baptisms, and putting together many churches in Ireland.
Folklore is often known as traditional beliefs from a long time ago usually taught as tradition. Not all folklore is true. Some folklore that you might’ve been told as a child are things like the tooth fairy who takes your teeth under your pillow and gives you money in return. Or the Easter bunny who comes into your home who would bring you candy and maybe some eggs. All of this folklore.
Tír na nÓg also known as “The Land Of The Young”. In Celtic mythology Tír na nÓg is an “otherworld” parallel to our world. This land is where a lot of Irish folklore comes into play, in which there is a lot on St Patrick’s day. The land of Tír na nÓg talks about gods and goddesses of the Irish mythland.
On Saint Patrick’s day, shamrocks are especially seen more. These shamrocks represent many things. Shamrocks remind people of how St. Patrick would use them to explain the Holy Trinity which is The Son (Jesus Christ), The Father, and The Holy Spirit. Patrick also used to stay the stem on the 3 leaf clover representing how they all united together. Still on St. Patrick’s day, it reminds people of the Holy Trinity.
Leprechauns also come into play during this holiday. At first in Irish folklore, leprechauns wore red and made shoes, and hid their money in pots near the end of the rainbow. But, since in the 20th century everything was related to green, the story changed.
Some people believe that the color changed so leprechauns could camouflage and be “sneakier”. People are so interested in leprechauns because leprechauns are characters who are driven by greed and, so people say if you catch a leprechaun you will get your pot of gold! People are also fascinated by them because they are full of whimsy and represent Irish culture.
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