St. Patrick's Day celebrates the man who brought Christianity to Ireland. It is common to see celebrations of Irish culture during this day. It's one of the most important celebrations in Ireland.
Upcoming Dates & Where They Are Celebrated
St. Patrick's Day lands on March 17. When the 17th falls on a weekend, the public holiday will be given the following week day. Here is a list of the upcoming dates and their observations:
- Friday, March 17, 2017
- Saturday, March 17, 2018 - Observed on Monday, March 19, 2018
- Sunday, March 17, 2019 - Observed on Monday, March 18, 2019
- Tuesday, March 17, 2020
- Wednesday, March 17, 2021
- Thursday, March 17, 2022
- Friday, March 17, 2023
- Sunday, March 17, 2024 - Observed on Monday, March 18, 2024
- Monday, March 17, 2025
Where Is St. Patrick's Day Considered A Holiday?
St. Patrick's Day is a holiday throughout Ireland. In larger cities, like Dublin, there are large festivals. These may cause disruptions in the flow of traffic. Public transportation is unlikey to be available. All government offices will be closed for observation on this day. The same can be said about banks and post offices. The availability of other stores depends on the owner. Many stores will be open for limited hours. Others will maintain their regular hours. Pubs are likely to remain open for celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
Festivities & Events During St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day is a celebration of Irish culture. There are parades in larger cities, and rejoicing in the smaller ones. The smaller villages and towns will have smaller parades. Many will also have festivals that accompany the parades. There is always live music, often played by local musicians. It's common that the celebrations last for a full week. During which, there are visual demonstrations of the Irish culture. It's a very inviting time to visit Ireland.
A Brief History Of St. Patrick's Day
St Patrick is a momentous figure in the history of Ireland. He was brought to Ireland as a slave when he was only 16. He fled back to Britain when he was 22, later returning to Ireland as a missionary. With him, he brought the Christian religion. He converted many inhabitants over to Christianity in doing this. There are many legends about St Patrick, including that he drove the "snakes" from the land. Although there are many interpretations of what that means. St Patrick died on March 17, which is why the holiday is celebrated on that day. It only became an official holiday in 1903. Although it is not a holiday in other areas, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world.