In Ireland, March brings two welcome events; there is the wonderful “grand stretch in the day” as the daffodils begin to bloom in the city parks and gardens, ushering in the end of winter and – Saint Patrick’s Day is just around the corner.
Why is Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17th?
March 17th marks Patrick’s death, in 461 A.D. He was laid to rest in the grounds of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, County Down.
Legend of Saint Patrick:
It hasn’t been turned into a Hollywood movie yet – but Patrick’s life is the stuff of legend. As a young boy, he was captured into slavery from Wales, maybe Scotland and set to work as a shepherd on Slemish Mountain in County Antrim. He finally escaped and made his way home – but returned to Ireland after he had a vision, telling him to bring Christianity to the Irish.
St Patrick was born in Britain around AD 387 but arrived in moved to Ireland as a teenager, where he later served as a bishop for over 30 years.
Did Saint Patrick rid Ireland of snakes?
Yes! And No… But mostly, no! Ireland has never actually had any indigenous snakes to begin with. The story is based around the fact that, because of St. Patrick’s great work in converting the pagan natives to Christianity and banishing paganism from Ireland, the myth that St. Patrick drove the snakes out is most likely a metaphor for paganism.
Why Shamrocks?
Shamrocks have three leaves (unlike their cousin – the four-leaf clover), and according to legend, Patrick used the small shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity when he introduced Christianity to the Irish.
Will there be a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Ireland in 2023?
The very first recorded St Patrick’s Day parade to celebrate the famous ‘Irish’ Saint was actually in Boston, USA, in 1737. It would be another 160 years before Ireland celebrated in the same way, with a parade in Waterford in 1903.
The annual parade in Dublin was first held in 1931, and in 2023 it is expected to draw half a million people. The parade will take place on Friday, March 17th, 2023. There will be marching bands from across Ireland and North America participating and featuring in the parade. More than 4000 people will take part. This also includes large showpiece performances and creative pageants during the parade. The theme for 2023 will be ‘Mar a chéile sinn’, which is Irish for ‘We are one’.
Parades usually begin at 12 noon from Parnell Square North on March 17th and proceed up O’Connell Street’s east side (though you can line both sides). If you would like to view the parade on O’ Connell Street or O’ Connell Bridge, you need to arrive there very early.
You can still get an ideal viewing spot at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin if you miss out on O’Connell Street, Patrick Street or Kevin Street, though you’ll still need to arrive early; no later than 10:30 AM would be recommended.
Of course, if you’re not in Ireland on our big day, you don’t have to miss out. Ireland’s national broadcaster – RTE – will stream the parade live from their website, news channel and news app.
Do you need a ticket to take part in the parade on 17th March 2023?
No, you do not need a ticket. You can simply turn up and find a spot to march in the parade along the route. However, tickets are required to enter the five covered grandstands along the parade route. The locations are Christchurch, Parnell Square, O’Connell St, Westmoreland St, and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Please note that tickets for these stands sell out quickly, so to get a spot, book early. Ticket prices start at €100 and can be purchased online.
