The true origins of St. Patricks Day
Growing up outside of Boston, one learns early on that St Patrick's Day is a serious day of celebration. The Irish population is large in that area and has played an important role in Boston's history. It is also no secret that the Irish (for the most part) like to enjoy a drink or two when celebrating St. Patrick's Day. For those of us with little or no Irish heritage, it is just a great day to party. But what is the celebration really for and where did it stem from?
The accounts of St. Patrick vary a bit, after all we're talking about a man who lived over 1,500 years ago. It is believed that St. Patrick was born around 385 AD and that his given name was Maewyn. He lived in Wales and at age 16 his village or estate was raided by Irish marauders, he was then sold into slavery. He was sent to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity, at which time he escaped. It is believed that during his time as a prisoner, as he worked outdoors mostly by himself, he became closer to God and a devote Christian. He heard a voice (he felt it was God's) that told him to leave Ireland, so he walked to the Irish coast from County Mayo, a nearly 200 mile trip.
He escaped to Britain where he reported a second vision, which told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. His religious training would last more than fifteen years, at which time he was ordained as a priest.
He returned to Ireland with a mission to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to convert the rest of the Irish population to Christianity. This mission lasted for thirty years. He established monasteries, and set up schools and churches across the Irish country. St. Patrick incorporated traditional rituals and culture into his teachings, which made it much easier to convert the population.
There is much folklore that surrounds the life of St. Patrick, such as the popular tale that he banished all snakes from Ireland. This is untrue since there are no snakes native to Ireland. The Shamrock is a well recognized symbol of the Irish people and it is said that St. Patrick used this item in his lessons to help explain the Trinity, showing how the father, the son, and the holy spirit could act as separate components of the same overall entity.
St. Patrick died on March 17th, around 460 AD. The custom of St. Patrick's was first celebrated in America in Boston, in approximately 1737.
My guess would be that the idea of green beer for St. Patrick's Day was thought up here in America. Green beer is simply the addition of food coloring to a lager or other light colored beer. Irish Ale is a reddish ale that is slightly sweet. There are several Irish Reds being brewed today including Smithwick's, in Ireland, and Killian's Irish Red, which is brewed by the Coor's company in America. The red color is obtained by using black and crystal malts in the brewing process.
Beamish Stout has a somewhat chocolate flavor and is the only stout that is brewed exclusively in Ireland. Of course, Guinness is one of the most famous of the Irish brews, with its stouts. Other tasty Irish beers include; Caffery's, Harp, Murphy's, Macardles, Kilkenny, Wrasslers, Porter House, and Smithwick's.
Whatever beverage you choose to celebrate with, have a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!
