From Sydney to London to Chicago, punters all around the world are painting themselves green and channelling their inner leprechaun in preparation for this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebration.
So where will you be joining in on the festivities?
First, a little history.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the Roman Catholic feast day of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, who died on March 17, 461.
But did you know that he wasn’t even Irish?
Nope, he wasn’t.
Saint Patrick – or “Paddy” as his mates called him – was born in Roman Britain in the 4th-century AD into a wealthy Romano-British family.
But he was kidnapped into slavery and brought over to Ireland where he ended up becoming a bishop.
After his death he was officially named Ireland’s patron saint. And the rest, as they say, is history.
So with that out of the way, let’s take a trip around the world and see how punters are celebrating old mate Paddy.
Sydney.
The iconic Opera House is set to turn green to celebrate the annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities this year.
The Harbour City’s Irish pubs are also expected to be flooded with scores of Sydney-siders trying their best Irish accents on whilst downing pints (or is it schooners?) of Guinness.
Tourism Ireland will also be hosting a special event for media and travel professionals in Sydney this Thursday, replete with Irish music, food and drinks. Stay tuned for an update from KarryOn on this.
London.
If previous years are any indication, London is set for a spectacular day of celebration on St. Patrick’s Day.
Good times will be had at Trafalgar Square, where thousands will congregate for dancing, singing, Irish food, and, of course, drinking – lots and lots of drinking!
Chicago.
The Windy City will be hosting an epic St. Patrick’s Day parade to commemorate Ireland’s patron saint.
Chicago will also be turning its rivers green – literally.
The practice of dyeing the river green actually started in Chicago in 1962, when city officials decided to dye a portion of the Chicago River green.