Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385-461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Patrick was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland.
The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilis (a traditional social gathering consisting of a social visit which involves dancing and playing Gaelic folk music) and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks.
St Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival, particularly in North America.
A leprechaun is a type of fairy of the Aos Si (a supernatural race in Irish mythology comparable to the fairies or elves) in Irish folklore. They are usually depicted as little bearded men, wearing a coat and hat, who partake in mischief. They are solitary creatures who spend their time making and mending shoes and have a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If captured by a human, they often grant three wishes in exchange for their freedom.
In our school, we have given you the chance to catch one of them, and even have a picture taken!
