why do ppl who are not Irish celebrate St. Patrick's day?

Question

I admit, I am Irish, but in all the years of my life, i don't think i've ever knew the origin of the holiday. When i was a kid, we always had family gatherings on that day, but to this day, I don't have the foggiest idea why. LOL

I also don't know why people of other cultures tend to celebrate it. Perhaps it's because of the green beer? Corned Beef and Cabbage? Or maybe they think they will have the luck of the Irish, at least for one day..

Answer 1

St. Patrick is a famous and beloved Catholic Christian saint; since there are Christians throughout the world, it’s no surprise he is widely celebrated in many nations. He was not Irish, himself, of course (probably a Roman Briton), but since the great man is generally credited with almost single-handedly bringing the faith to Ireland, he is their patron saint. Of course, the celebration takes many secular forms, too, in America, but up until bowing to tourist pressure in recent years, the people of Ireland celebrated March 17 chiefly by attending Mass.

Answer 2

Well i would say it would be because they celebrate all of the holidays, be it one that they are into or not, it gives a lot of people out there a reason, so they say, to go and get drunk.

For the Irish i would say it is a day to celebrate who they are, and their believe, and what they stand for, and to get together and have a good time with others from their home land, and listen to the Irish tales being told.

Answer 3

it rather is Paddy's Day. properly, i'm Irish, and that i do rejoice St. Patrick's Day. i'm obliged to. yet i'm getting particularly aggravated on the actuality that human beings in particular have this theory that they are Irish in some way. I recommend, maximum of them have by no skill even been to eire and think of it rather is all merely massive fields infested with merry little leprechauns. i do no longer bypass around celebrating the 4th of July, and that i quite do no longer make an more advantageous deal of it than the human beings themselves, even regardless of the indisputable fact that i've got kinfolk residing there!

Answer 4

some are of irish descent, during the famine a large number of irish people fled to many other countries for survival. the first st patricks day parade was actually held in america. another reason people may celebrate the day is beacuse they are catholic or the nation they are from is predominantly catholic. everyone loves the irish so let them join in on our fun irish or not. thats why everyone loves the irish!!!!we have always held to a cead mile failte for all.

Answer 5

Good question! (as is, why do Non-Catholics and Northerner's celebrate Mardi Gras or non-German's celebrate Ocktoberfest?)

Both answers = another reason to drink and party. There's so many parades now for St. Patrick's Day, it's too hard to pass up celebrating the day.

Plus, kids love the idea of pinching someone who's not wearing green. 'Justified violence'...what kid would pass that up?

Answer 6

i don't know but its fun to go out and have a fun time. i don't get it tho why do we celebrate Irish cultures and not other ones like English and German?? but any ways i think its to drink a lot i don't think green beer has anything with it its just the beer part!

Answer 7

It's a reason to party basically!

But I love Irish people and culture so I'm more than happy to celebrate this day! :-D

Answer 8

because, we let everybody be IRISH for a day !...I like trying new foods and other cultures, I'm Irish/American, and I celebrate "Chinese new year" "Sinko Demao", and ANY other culture with nummy food, we don't have "Nummy" food :( "Corned beef" and cabbage is actually a "Kosher meal" from a jewish deli, it's totally a "NEW YORK" Thing ! The "Beer" (Guiness) we got down !

Answer 9

Maybe because Lent is a time to sacrifice and St. Patrick's Day is a day to relax and let go

Answer 10

You really should consider doing some reading (you can learn a lot online, you know); total ignorance is nothing to be quite so proud of. In the meantime, see Thucydides answer above for some good info.