St. Patrick's Day: What We Celebrate on 17 March
St. Patrick's Day is the feast of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and it falls on 17 March, the day of his death around the year 461. It is celebrated with the colour green, music and beer all over the world, and every year here at Little Island in Frydek-Mistek.
Who was Saint Patrick?
Patrick was born in Roman Britain towards the end of the 4th century. At sixteen he was carried off by Irish raiders and spent six years in slavery. After escaping he returned as a missionary and became the most important figure in the Christianisation of Ireland.
- He is said to have used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, which is why it remains the symbol of the feast to this day
- The legend of him driving the snakes out of Ireland is a metaphor for the banishing of paganism
- Green only became associated with the day in the 18th century; Saint Patrick's original colour was blue
How is the day celebrated around the world?
In Dublin the festival runs for several days and the parade draws hundreds of thousands of people. In Chicago they dye the river green, and New York has held the world's largest parade since 1762, which makes it older than the United States itself. In pubs across the globe, 17 March sees several times the usual volume of Guinness poured.
How do we celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Little Island?
In Frydek-Mistek we mark the Irish national day as it deserves:
- Guinness and Magners on tap, plus a choice of more than 50 whiskeys
- Live music, with Irish tunes from 8pm
- Green decorations and a festive atmosphere in an interior inspired by genuine Irish pubs
If 17 March lands on a weekday, the celebrations here usually carry on into the nearest weekend, when we stay open until 4am.
Why celebrate in a pub rather than at home?
St. Patrick's Day is a feast of togetherness. The Irish call it "craic": good fun in good company. You can pour yourself a green beer at home, but nothing replaces the atmosphere of a packed pub, live music and a shared toast.
Come and celebrate Saint Patrick with us on 17 March at tr. T. G. Masaryka 1129 in Frydek-Mistek. Slainte!