Some of the traditions celebrated for St. Patty’s Day come from the Irish immigrants who came to America and brought their culture with them. Others are purely American creations. On the flip side, the Irish celebrate their holiday in ways that most Americans do not. 

In America, you can see people eating corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day, which is also a tradition in Ireland. If you are near major cities in America, you might see a large parade going by. Likewise, in Dublin, Ireland, some parades go on all day.

With their corned beef and cabbage, Americans will consume a beer, often dyed green. St. Patrick’s Day is one of the top 10 days of most alcohol consumed in all of America. Americans are all about the green, wearing green clothing, hats, headbands, or things with shamrocks on them. And it doesn’t stop there: large rivers will even be dyed green (Indianapolis’ White River and the Chicago River will be green). Another major difference is that here in America we don’t get the day off of work or school.

Unlike in America, the Irish eat their corned beef and cabbage without dying any beer. Traditionally, they barely ever drink beer on this holiday. Before a law was created in the 1970s, pubs had to be closed on St. Patrick’s Day because it is a religious holiday. It is a religious holiday in all parts of the country, and they go to church and sing Hail Glorious St. Patrick. Because of its religious roots, St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, and schools and businesses are closed to celebrate. Their parades include the bagpipes and can last several days.

As you can see, the traditions in America and Ireland share some similarities but are overall very different regarding how the holiday is celebrated. America’s celebrations are a bit more lighthearted and commercialized thinking of it as a green holiday; in Ireland, they go to church and view it as a more solemn day. How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Do you celebrate it like the Irish who originated the day? Or the Americans who took up the custom and the green fun? However, you celebrated it hope you had a good St. Patrick’s Day!