St Patrick's Day is synonymous with green, but few realise the holiday was once associated with blue. The patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick, was a Christian missionary born in Roman Britain, not Ireland. He died on March 17 in the fifth century.
Historians say the first signs of St Patrick's popularity emerged in the 10th century. It wasn't until the early 17th century that Irish priest Luke Wadding persuaded the Catholic Church to mark March 17 as a feast day. Initially, these were solemn occasions, with Mass and quiet dinners.
By 1785, the Dublin Evening Post reported that patriots wore 'true blue' in processions. Blue was considered the colour of St Patrick's Day. However, during the 1798 Irish rebellion, the United Irishmen adopted green to represent nationalism and opposition to British rule.
As Ireland became more sectarian in the 19th century, green became linked to Catholicism. Today, green is on the Irish flag, alongside orange for Protestants and white for peace. Blue has not vanished entirely: the president's flag features a gold harp on a dark blue background.
The Irish government made St Patrick's Day a public holiday in 1903, but the first parade in Dublin was not held until 1931. Pubs remained closed on March 17 until 1961.
