Happy St Patricks Day - continuing the celebrations!

Today is officially St. Patrick's Day – the national day of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland (The flag on the right is the flag of St Patrick. St Patrick's flag represents the whole of Ireland). Although since it has fallen in Holy Week it was celebrated on Saturday (and being with a group of irish Rotarians boy did we celebrate - although I stuck to Bitter and red wine!) The last time St Patrick's Day had to be moved was in 1940 when it coincided with Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week. The next date it will have to be moved again is 2160 (and no matter how much you drink I am sure you will not be around for that one!).

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Born in Britain, he was carried off by pirates and spent six years in slavery before escaping and training as a missionary. The most famous story about Saint Patrick is him driving the snakes from Ireland. The day is marked by the wearing of shamrocks (a clover-like plant), the national emblem of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland … and drinking! Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

So, why is it normally celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious celebrating begins!

So come along to Swanley tonight - wear some green or gold or anything Irish and have a fun 17th March with Clem and Tracy!