×
The snake has always represented transformation, healing, and rebirth—even in ancient Irish myth. To drive out the snake was to drive out fear, superstition, and tribalism—and replace it with a faith built on unity, renewal, and grace. St. Patrick’s myth is not about biology—it’s about symbolism that outlasts bone and skin. St. Patrick's Day Today . Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in many places on March 17, typically with a parade (an oddly American invention) and lots of other festivities. In Irish cities like Dublin, Belfast, and Derry, the annual celebrations are a big deal. One of the most famous stories about St. Patrick is how he used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). He showed that just like a shamrock has three leaves but is one plant, the Trinity is three in one. To this day, the shamrock is a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day. The First St. Patrick’s Day Parade Was in America, Not Ireland. Many people assume that St. Patrick’s Day parades originated in Ireland, but the first recorded parade actually took place in the United States. On March 17, 1601, in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, Spanish settlers and Irish clergy organized the first known St. Patrick’s The Saint and the Serpents: Unraveling the Legend of St. Patrick and the Snakes. The saint most famously associated with driving snakes out of Ireland is St. Patrick.Legend claims he banished all serpents from the Emerald Isle, chasing them into the sea after they attacked him during a 40-day fast. They might be surprised to learn that he never drank green beer (not even a Guinness), never ate corned beef and cabbage, never drove snakes out of Ireland and had no leprechaun friends. The majority of St. Patrick’s Day customs, myths and fables have been perpetuated and instituted over a period of 16 centuries. According to historical records, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was celebrated in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, on March 17, 1601, predating the founding of the United States. St. Patrick Drove Snakes Out of Ireland: Truth or Myth? Irish folklore recounts the myth of St. Patrick ridding Ireland of snakes. St. Patrick's Day, which is celebrated worldwide on March 17, honors St. Patrick, the Christian missionary who supposedly rid Ireland of snakes during the fifth century A.D.. According to legend St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland is almost certainly one of those legends. Yes, Ireland is snake-free, but most experts believe they never made it to Ireland in the first place. But St. Patrick did drive the metaphorical snakes of evil and paganism out of Ireland, converting an entire people to Catholicism. That is why the legend For St. Patrick’s Day 2013, the New York Times reported on the phenomenon and talked to Kevin Cunningham, founder of the National Exotic Animal Sanctuary, which took in many abandoned snakes. A prayer card illustration showing Saint Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland, published circa 1900 (Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images). Scientists and historians argue that this has nothing to do with St Patrick's intervention, though. One famous legend claims that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland, though scientists say that snakes were never there in the first place. Another story says he raised 33 people from the dead, and he’s also said to have miraculously provided food for starving sailors by summoning a herd of pigs. 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 In Irish; 5 St. Patrick’s Day Prayers And Blessings The Hidden Symbolism of Snakes in Celtic Lore on St. Patrick’s Day. Let’s be honest: St. Patrick’s Day is all about green beer, shamrocks, and people pinching you for not wearing enough green. But beyond the rowdy parades and rivers dyed an unnatural shade of emerald, there’s a hidden, ancient symbol writhing beneath the surface—snakes. Cartoon of the Day: St Patrick's Day; IRISH MYSTERIES: Mystery Readers Journal (24:2) Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore Move; Cartoon of the Day: St Patrick regrets his decisio ST. PATRICK'S DAY CRIME FICTION; Cartoon of the Day: Roadsigns for a Gothic Novel; MANHUNT WITH MARTIN CLUNES: AcornTV; Cartoon of the Day: A Book's Life Off the Millions of people around the world celebrate St Patrick's Day on 17 March every year. It is a celebration of Irish history and culture, and is a national holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Ol paddy boy wasn't a mass murderer nor did he bring Christianity into Ireland. However, "driving the snakes out of Ireland" (if we can take liberties and say that snake was an allegorical reference to Gaelic pagans) is easily explained as bringing people into the Christian faith. In a literal sense, there is no way Patrick could have driven any snakes out of Ireland because there were no snakes there to begin with. To quote Nigel Monaghan, head of natural history at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin: “At no time has there ever been any suggestion of snakes in Ireland. [There was] nothing for St. Patrick to People of Irish descent around the world are celebrating St Patrick’s Day today. is driving the snakes out of Ireland. Attacked by some serpents while undergoing a 40-day fast on a hill, he
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |