×
St. Patrick’s Day usually conjures images of partying, Catholicism, Irish nationalism and, perhaps most famously, the color green: green clothes, green shamrocks, green beer and green rivers. To save you scrolling, you’ll find some speedy need-to-knows about the first color associated with St. Patrick’s Day below: 1. Yep, it all began with blue, not green. Although people wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, early depictions of St. Patrick show him clothed in fine blue robes. In fact, in Saul Church, which is on the site where St St. Patrick's Day is the holiday when even the most recalcitrant American feels tempted to don green clothing or sip on some green beer. But what if everyone wore blue on March 17 each year instead? The Irish government didn’t recognize St. Patrick’s Day as a public holiday until 1903, and the first parade in Dublin wasn’t held until 1931. Even pubs remained closed on March 17 until 1961. The Irish College in Paris, completed in 1776, [19] was renovated in 2002; the paint uncovered on the chapel walls was described as "St Patrick's blue" by a visiting journalist. [20] As regards green in association with Patrick: in 1681, Thomas Dineley reported people wearing crosses of green ribbon in their hats on Saint Patrick's Day. [21] The Ultimate Guide to St. Patrick’s Day Colors: What Not to Wear. So, you’re prepping for St. Patrick’s Day and want to avoid a fashion faux pas (or worse, a pinch from a mischievous leprechaun!). The answer, according to tradition and a touch of historical context, is: you should probably avoid wearing orange on St. Patrick’s Day Long before the vibrant green hues became the hallmark of St. Patrick’s Day, the patron saint of Ireland and the Emerald Isle itself were more closely linked to shades of blue. This fascinating aspect of Irish history reveals a deeper symbolism and cultural significance behind the colors associated with St. Patrick. In fact, copies of the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann) are printed with a blue cover and the carpets of the Irish Houses of Parliament are a deep blue. Related: St. Patrick's Day Facebook The original color associated with St. Patrick’s Day was blue, specifically a shade known as St. Patrick’s Blue. 2. Why do we wear green now on St. Patrick’s Day instead of blue? Green became the popular color for St. Patrick’s Day because it is linked to Ireland’s lush landscapes and the Irish national color; it also appears on Irish The Evolution of St. Patrick’s Day Colours: A Journey from Blue to Green. St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, is a cultural and religious holiday that honours the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. It’s a day filled with parades, wearing of green attire, public feasting and merriment. The first St. Patrick's Day parade occurred on March 17, 1601, in St. Augustine, Florida. The parade was organized by the Spanish Colony's Irish vicar Ricardo Artur. So, for example, someone might give up chocolate or alcohol for the 40 days. One of the older St. Patrick’s Day customs was the breaking of Lent on March 17th. St. Patrick’s Day acted as a reprieve from the Lent restrictions, with kids in particular taking the day to enjoy sweets! 4. Watching Irish movies and listening to Irish music 25 St. Patrick's Day Poems A collection of heartfelt, cheerful St. Patrick's Day poems celebrating Irish spirit. Short Poems & Quotes | St. Patricks Day Poems Updated February 5, 2025, by Catherine Pulsifer St. Patrick's Day brings smiles, laughter, and the joy of Irish cheer. Whether you have a drop of Irish blood or just join the fun for the 73 Funny St. Patrick’s Day Jokes For Adults And Kids; The Best Irish Songs And The Best Irish Films Of All Time For Paddy’s Day; 8 Ways That We Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day In Ireland; The Most Notable St. Patrick’s Day Traditions In Ireland; 17 Tasty St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails To Whip Up At Home; How To Say Happy St. Patrick’s Day But fear of leprechauns as a reason to wear green may be American rather than Irish in F. Ryan Duffy of Wisconsin “when he appeared on St. Patrick’s Day wearing a blue tie and no sign of If you fancy learning more about St. Patrick’s Day, here are some guides to hop into: St. Patrick’s Day Jokes; The Best Irish Songs And The Best Irish Films Of All Time; St. Patrick’s Day In Ireland; St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails ; Happy St. Patrick’s Day In Irish; St. Patrick’s Day Prayers; Fact’s About St. Patrick’ Day; Facts However, it was Irish immigrants and those of Irish descent, especially in the United States, who turned St. Patrick’s Day into the lively, secular holiday we know today. Cities with large Irish communities, like Boston and New York, began hosting grand parades as early as the 18th century. While most St. Patrick’s Day enthusiasts bust out their green clothing on March 17, there are some who would rather wear orange. The reason has everything to do with religion. Test your St. Patrick's Day knowledge with this fun trivia for kids and adults! Quiz friends or family or use the printable for your party. we would wear blue. Why? Look at ancient Irish flags You’ll see it during St. Patrick’s Day parades where people wear shamrocks wave Irish flags. Now that you know the history of wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day, you can wear it with pride! How to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day colors. It’s time to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day colors now that you understand their meanings.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |