March 17th is the day that Irish people around the world honor their patron saint on the anniversary date of his death in the year 461 AD. But who was Maewyn Succat, and how did he become Ireland’s globally-celebrated patron Saint Patrick?
Giraffe Childcare in Ireland put together an educational infographic that contains 33 (and a third!) facts about Saint Patrick’s Day, in recognition of this national Irish holiday. The infographic posted below includes everything from Patrick’s childhood on the west coast of Britain, to how both sides of the Atlantic developed their own traditions to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
The first ever Saint Patrick’s Day parade took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737. It was 29 years later in 1766 when the first Saint Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York. In Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day had always been celebrated as more of a religious observance. The first Saint Patrick’s parade didn’t happen there until 1931, in Dublin.
Did you know that Patrick’s grandfather was a priest and that his father was a deacon? Still, Patrick admitted that he only developed his spirituality during his time of captivity in Ireland. He was sold into slavery at the age of 16 by Irish raiders, but eventually he escaped – only to go back later! Saint Patrick went on to establish over 300 churches and he baptized over 100,000 people. Although, at first, he was not welcomed with open arms when he returned to Ireland, he is now well-loved there.
These are just some of the fun, interesting, and sometimes surprising facts about Saint Patrick’s Day that you will discover in the infographic below. Find out what snakes and shamrocks have to do with Saint Patrick’s Day. There’s even a mention of leprechauns! Enjoy the infographic, and may the luck o’ the Irish be with you!
