St. Patrick’s Day ‘Facts’ That Aren’t True

Taking place every March 17, St. Patrick’s Day commemorates the death of Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, renowned for bringing Christianity to Ireland.

However, St. Patrick’s Day as we know it is not a true Irish holiday. According to historian Mike Cronin, co-author of The Wearing of the Green: A History of St Patrick’s Day, the United States is the real home of St. Patrick’s Day.

Since the founding of America, generations of proud Irish Americans transformed a modest Irish feast day into the green-themed festival we love today, celebrated by Irish and non-Irish alike the world over. “Once it was established as a bona fide American cultural phenomenon…St. Patrick’s Day become a full-fledged celebration whose spirit was reimported in its Americanized form back to Ireland itself,” Cronin wrote.

Prepare to be shook!

St. Patrick wasn’t really Irish
Originally a Roman citizen of Britain, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates as a teenager and sold into slavery in Ireland, where he later made it his mission to spread Christianity.

St. Patrick isn’t a real saint
Well, not technically. Official canonization in the Roman Catholic Church was not established until after his death.

St. Patrick didn’t banish all snakes from Ireland
Just more fake news! Experts believe that snakes never existed in Ireland to begin with.

St. Patrick’s original color isn’t green
The official color of the Order of St. Patrick is blue, and St. Patrick is traditionally shown wearing blue robes. So how did green become the color representing St. Patrick — and Ireland? The color started out as the symbol of Irish nationalism and anti-British rebellion, and over time green became associated with Ireland itself. Now, all over the world on St. Patrick’s day, the color green is displayed in his honor.

Corned beef isn’t an Irish specialty
Like most traditions associated with St. Patrick’s Day, the habit of eating corned beef began in the United States, specifically in New York City, where 19th-century Irish immigrants found a less expensive substitute for their customary Irish bacon in the corned beef sold by the delis of their Jewish immigrant neighbors.

And finally, what about leprechauns?
It is said that those who are wily enough to capture this cantankerous Irish fairy will obtain his hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! And who are we to tell you otherwise?

Modern-day St. Patrick’s Day promises parades, parties, and fun for all ages. Even though the continuing pandemic will keep us from honoring every tradition, there are still plenty of opportunities to make the holiday special for your family by celebrating with festivities at home.

Plan a St. Patty’s Day party with your kids! They’ll enjoy helping you decorate with crafts like this festive banner and shamrock stained glass, or this creative art project for toddlers. Make shamrock-shaped printable pins for everyone to wear. And don’t forget to set a leprechaun trap. The little ones will have even more fun designing their own.

Make yummy sweet treats that will delight the kids (and the grown-ups), like Copycat Shamrock Shakes or St. Patrick’s Day Chocolate Marshmallow Pops. Try these delicious slow-cooker or Instant Pot Irish specialties. Or make the best corned beef ever with these brilliant tips. And enjoy an adult beverage or two that isn’t green beer. Say “Sláinte!” to a St. Patrick’s Day Green Tea cocktail!

Mother-of-five Chaunie Brusie previously wrote on Mom.com that one special tradition is Leprechaun hunting for her kids. “The point is, there’s nothing over-the-top about our St. Paddy’s day tradition, but it is a big deal to my kids,” she explained. “I can count on the fact that on March 17, I’m going to wake up to see my kids smile as they hunt down their very own pot of gold.”