Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is the most popular celebration of Ireland and it's a cultural and religious celebration occurring annually on 17 March, the death date of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461).

The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. The worldwide known celebrations involve public parades and festivals, live Irish music, and the wearing of green clothing or accessories, and shamrocks. This day is also widely celebrated by the Irish descendants around the world, especially in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

It is believed that Patrick was born in Britain in the fourth century. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland. He spent six years working as a shepherd and during this time he "found God", who told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest.

According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. He spent many years evangelising in the northern half of Ireland and converted "thousands". Tradition holds that he died on 17 March and was buried at Downpatrick. Over the following centuries, many legends grew up around Patrick and he became Ireland's foremost saint.

According to the legend, Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans. 
 

The legend also says that Saint Patrick drove snakes out of Ireland. What do you think about this? Experts confirm there were never snakes in Ireland and most likely the metaphorical 'snakes' were the pagans, who Patrick converted to christians.