St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on March 17, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. 385461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. In addition to the religious observances, the day is often celebrated with parades, cilidhs (traditional Irish social gatherings), and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. It is also a popular day for the consumption of alcohol, particularly Irish beer. St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Montserrat, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
