For the past 200 years, the Irish have migrated to every corner of the earth. Some left their native shores by choice, but most migrated to find work. They settled in towns and cities on five continents, with no place being too remote, too humid, too dry, too hot, or too cold. It is for that reason that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 all over the world, just as the festivities in one city begin in the next. For 24 hours, as the earth rotates and parts are illuminated by the sun, one celebration begins and another comes to an end when the sun goes down.
Snippets of these parades and festivities are broadcast on Irish television on March 18 because even when bedtime arrives in Ireland on March 17, the most “Irish” holiday is still in full swing elsewhere.
Irish traditions around the world
No Irishman is as much in touch with his ethnicity as the Irish emigrant or descendants of emigrants, regardless of where they live in the world. They love to celebrate their origins with enthusiasm and some do so quietly in remote areas such as Newfoundland, where many of the citizens, although several generations away from their homeland, still retain the customs and accents of their ancestors’ origins.
In other areas, such as New York City, Irish emigrants have integrated into their communities for generations, operating businesses, entering politics, entering the medical professions, and serving in the military like any other citizen. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York is one of the largest in the world, now used to make national and international social and political statements both subtly and openly.
Other parades occur in Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, London, Glasgow and, to a lesser degree, in most European capitals. There are Irish celebrations even in parts of India, China, and Japan.
The best place to celebrate the Irish national holiday
The best place to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day and participate in its festivities is, of course, Ireland. The largest parade usually takes place in Dublin, and visitors from around the world flock to the city in mid-March to watch the parade’s street theater, drink a pint of Guinness, and settle into a cozy Irish pub to listen to traditional music. session. Irish living at home often attend a local parade and there are parades in the main city of every county in Ireland.
It is always a pleasure to attend the local parades. Being local we know many of the participants, we enjoy their music, their satirical performances and we support our neighbors and friends who are promoting their new product or service. We enjoy judging from the pavement, our children, although they do not always understand the messages that are transmitted, enjoy the show, the color and the sound.
