5 quirky facts about St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day—a day for wearing green outfits (maybe even a leprechaun hat) and festive drinks like dyed-green beer or a pint of Guinness at the neighborhood pub—unfolded Tuesday (March 17), marking a worldwide celebration of Irish culture, arts, and heritage.

According to Tourism Ireland, around 70 million people worldwide have Irish roots, and each year the holiday is brought to life across the globe with traditional Irish music and dance.

In Canada, the celebration extends to Irish Heritage Month, which celebrates history and the many ways Irish Canadians have helped shape Canada.

Irish is the fourth largest ethnic group in Canada, with more than 4.5 million claiming Irish heritage (or 12 per cent of the population).

READ MORE: On Location: Cathedral secrets, stallions & “stouties” – PAX spends 48 hours with Royal Irish Tours

In a dark time in Irish history, 18,000 Irish landed in Toronto, following the famine in 1947 – at a time when the city’s population was just 20,000. 

Recognizing how Irish culture has influenced Canadian society, Irish Heritage Month was officially designated by the Government of Canada in 2022.

This month, in Toronto, up until March 17, Tourism Ireland has been running a “Create #YourIrishEdit” pop-up at the Eaton Centre mall downtown.

The activation has put a spotlight on the full breadth of sellable Irish product, from dramatic coastal itineraries and culturally-rich city stays to luxury castle accommodations, culinary tourism, and heritage-driven experiences.

READ MORE: Check out Tourism Ireland's pop-up experience at Toronto's Eaton Centre

“Ireland continues to perform strongly with Canadian travellers, presenting significant opportunity for the travel trade,” said Sandra Moffatt, country director for Canada at Tourism Ireland, earlier this month.

“Through our newly-launched ‘Ireland Goes Beyond’ campaign, we are equipping advisors with a powerful storytelling platform that highlights the depth and diversity of the island, from iconic landscapes and heritage-rich cities to contemporary culture and immersive experiences. This activation brings that message to life in-market, creating qualified consumer interest that advisors can confidently convert into bookings."

READ MORE: On Location: From urban farms to viking victories – a bounty of experiences in Ireland

St. Patrick’s Day is not just a day of partying—it also honours the death of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, while celebrating Irish heritage, culture, and the spread of Christianity across the country.

However, the special day is often misunderstood, with many common myths and misconceptions surrounding its meaning and traditions.

Here are five fun and quirky facts about St. Patrick’s Day that you may have not known. 

1. St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish

Patrick is thought to have originally come from either Wales or Scotland, where he was abducted at the age of 16 and brought to what is now Northern Ireland as a slave. He was sent to Slemish Mountain in County Antrim – still a popular pilgrimage spot to this day – to herd sheep. But after his escape, he had a vision which prompted him to return to Ireland to spread the word of Christianity. 

Patrick remained in Ireland for the rest of his life, preaching, baptizing, and founding schools, churches and monasteries before his death in County Down, on 17 March, AD 461

2. He was never officially made a saint

Despite being known as “St. Patrick,” he was never formally canonized by the Catholic Church. That’s mainly because the official canonization process didn’t exist in the 5th century. Back then, people were recognized as saints by popular belief, and Patrick earned that title through his reputation for faith and influence.

3. The first parades weren’t in Ireland

You might assume Ireland started the tradition, but early St. Patrick’s Day parades actually took place in the United States. Cities like Boston and New York held celebrations in the 1700s, and there’s even evidence of one in St. Augustine, Florida in 1601. Ireland didn’t host its first parade until 1903 in Waterford.

4. Blue was the original colour—not green

Today we associate the holiday with green, but originally St. Patrick was linked to blue. Early images show him wearing blue robes, and a shade called “St. Patrick’s Blue” was even used in Irish symbolism. Green became popular later, thanks to Ireland’s nickname “the Emerald Isle,” the shamrock, and the country’s lush landscapes.

5. Ireland never had snakes 

Among the many legends associated with St. Patrick is that he stood on top a hillside and delivered a sermon that drove Ireland’s serpents into the sea. It’s true the island is snake-free, but the story is likely an allegory for Patrick eradicating paganism on the island. Research suggests snakes were never resident in the Emerald Isle in the first place. There are no signs of snakes in the country’s fossil record and water has surrounded Ireland since the last glacial period. Before that, the region was covered in ice and would have been too cold even for reptiles.

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