St. Patrick s Day (2012-03-17)

Saint Patrick's Day is an Irish holiday celebrated annually on March 17. In Saint Patric is commonly recognized as a patron of Ireland. Saint Patric's Day is an public holiday.

Saint Patric was a missionary, who Christianized the Irish from their native polytheism. According to Irish folklore, Saint Patrick was using the shamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish people, and that is why it became a symbol of Ireland. Before his death Saint Patric managed to baptize Ireland. He died on 17 March 461, and according to tradition, was buried at Downpatrick.

The holiday is celebrated officially in Ireland, but also in Montserrat and in few Canada's provinces. Saint Patric's Day is observed also in other countries, such as: Argentina, Great Britain, South Korea, New Zealand and United States.

The main parade takes place in Dublin and it includes dancing and music events. During that day people drink green beer. There is a slogan related to celebrations: “Everybody's Irish on March 17th”. Green color and a shamrock are associated with Saint Patrick's day.

Also in other Irish cities, villages and towns parades and festivals are being hold, including Cork, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.

The biggest parades are being hold in Dublin, New York and Birmingham (UK). Parades during Saint Patrick's Day in New York are being hold since 1762. In 2006 about 2 millions of people participated in it. In Dublin, Saint Patrick's Day is a five day festival. Celebrations include concerts, theatre performances and fireworks.

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