The Origins of St. Patrick's Day Drinking Traditions
In 1997, as part of a study abroad program on Irish literature for the University of Dayton, I traveled with my students to Croagh Patrick in County Mayo. This mountain is where thousands of pilgrims annually honour St. Patrick, who, according to legend, fasted and prayed on its summit for 40 days. During our visit, the tour guide shared a poignant tale: as St. Patrick lay on his death bed on March 17 in A.D. 461, he supposedly asked those gathered to toast his heavenly journey with a "wee drop of whiskey" to ease their sorrow.
This mention of whiskey sparked my curiosity about whether St. Patrick inadvertently shaped how the world now celebrates this holiday—often with copious drinking. Originally, the Festival of St. Patrick began in the 17th century as a religious and cultural commemoration of the bishop who brought Christianity to Ireland. While Ireland still observes the day with significant religious and cultural elements, globally, it has largely become an excuse to wear green and indulge in heavy drinking.
The Legendary Life of St. Patrick
Historical details about St. Patrick's life are often speculative, making it challenging for scholars to distinguish fact from myth. In his spiritual memoir, "Confessio," St. Patrick recounts being taken to Ireland as a slave, escaping, and reuniting with his family in Britain, likely Scotland. He describes a recurring dream where the "Voice of the Irish" called him back to baptize and minister to them, a mission he embraced.
The Irish deeply revere this account, appreciating the simplicity and fervour of his words and feeling a lasting gratitude for his selfless commitment to their spiritual welfare. However, converting the Irish to Catholicism was no easy feat; high kings and Druid priests resisted his efforts, viewing him as a threat to their authority.
Through his missionary zeal, St. Patrick integrated Irish culture into Christianity, introducing symbols like the Celtic Cross and using bonfires for feasts such as Easter. Many of these stories may be mythical, but centuries later, the Irish honour their patron saint by wearing shamrocks on March 17, starting with mass, enjoying a daylong feast, and ending with prayer and reflection.
The Global Spread of St. Paddy's Day
From 1820 to 1860, nearly 2 million people left Ireland, many fleeing the potato famine of the 1840s and 1850s, with more following in the 20th century to escape poverty and reunite with family. In their new homes, they developed fresh ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and express their Irish identity.
Irish-Americans, in particular, quickly commercialised March 17. The tradition of wearing a simple spray of shamrocks evolved into the garish "wearin' of the green," while parades emerged in cities like New York and Boston, accompanied by revelry and even green beer. Children of Irish-Americans often learn about St. Patrick from afar, but may not grasp his mythic status in Ireland, where kids grow up hearing tales of his miracles, such as driving snakes from Ireland or using the shamrock to explain the Trinity.
The Modern Celebration: Raising a Glass
In America, St. Patrick's Day has transformed into a major party. Some years, Americans have spent over US$6.16 billion on celebrations, consuming 13 million pints of Guinness. Certain regions even host pre-celebrations on September 17, dubbed "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day."
Since the 1990s, Ireland has recognised the economic potential of this Americanised version. While March 17 remains a holy day for locals, it has become a lucrative holiday for tourists, with pubs earning significant revenue. Reflecting on this evolution, one might wonder: if St. Patrick had requested silent prayer instead of a whiskey toast, would the celebration have retained more sacredness than profanity?
This article updates a version originally published on March 16, 2021, by James Farrelly, a Professor of English at the University of Dayton, republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
