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By now, you’ve probably heard the story about St Patricks and snakes in Ireland. As Irish folklore has it, Saint Patrick once stood on a hilltop (Croagh Patrick) and banished all the snakes from Ireland with his wooden staff. The truth is, there have never been any snakes on the island nation.

It was said that the recounted tale of “banishing the snakes from Ireland” was simply a metaphor for spreading Christianity throughout the land and ridding the nation of paganism.

In fact, 200 years after Patrick’s evangelizing, all of Ireland was Christianized. Even though this story was a myth, there are other true tales that we do know about the life of Ireland’s patron saint.

After Saint Patrick was stolen from his home, he was transported to Ireland, where he spent six years working for a shepherd. The details of St Patrick’s captivity are unclear. Some say he was taken to Mount Slemish of County Antrim, but others believe he was held prisoner in County Mayo of Killala.

Regardless, it is known that the young man lived a lonely life — outdoors and away from people. He turned to religion for solace, but it wasn’t until his escape that he had a vision that religion would become more than just a coping mechanism — but rather, his life’s purpose.

He became a model Christian for others to emulate. Even though he was not perfect, he loved the Lord and spread His word. For this reason, Ireland celebrates this instrument of God with a feast day every year.

While there is some dispute as to St. Patrick’s date of death, it is most widely believed to be on March 17th, in or around 460 A.D. Patrick is said to be buried at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick (County Down), along with St. Brigid and St. Columba — the other two patron saints of Ireland.

Of course, no one has exhumed the bodies to validate this claim. Today visitors to Ireland can see the Saint Patrick Visitor Centre in Downpatrick, which features interactive displays on the story of St Patrick.

To read more The Life Of Saint Patrick

Everyone knows of the Irish holiday called St. Patrick’s Day, which is widely celebrated around the world. However, few people can delineate the authentic Irish customs and traditions from the newer, more Americanized traditions.

Truly, Irish-American St. Patty’s Day celebrations are still valid, but it’s fascinating to see how old customs have been reinvented in the modern era. The next time you sit down to that corned beef and cabbage dinner, you’ll know the real reasons behind why you’ve chosen that particular food.

“Traditionally in Ireland, the feast of St. Patrick is a celebration of the Christianization of Ireland,” says Ninian Mellamphy, a professor at the University of Western Ontario who came over from Cork, Ireland.

For many years, the Irish holiday was commemorated by attending mass and honoring the missionary who converted much of Ireland from paganism to Christianity in the fifth century. “It was a quiet celebration of our culture,” he adds.

“There was no sense of the carnival.” Rather, the “carnival” of beer drinking, Irish music, parades and parties began when homesick Irish immigrants got together to celebrate their origins.

The Americanized version of Saint Patrick’s Irish holiday has made it back to Ireland, says Mary C. Kelly, a professor at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire. “It used to be a very church-focused event, but in the last 10 years, it has become much more commercialized and Americanized.”

She says this probably has to do with an eagerness to lure tourists during a chillier, rainier time of the year. “It’s a reflection of the fact that the Irish have become very wealthy in the past decade,” Kelly explains.

She also believes Irish who have tried their luck abroad and returned back home are bringing a lot of their American traditions back with them, where it’s intermingling with the Irish culture.

“Some would be aware that they’re bringing what you might even call a new culture back there. Others wouldn’t, they would see it as their own personal interpretation.”

To read more Irish Holiday On St Patricks Day

Before this St. Patrick’s Day 2010, you should learn a little about Ireland’s history so you can really wow your friends. While the story of St. Patrick is often up for debate, scholars can agree that he was sold into slavery as a teenager, where he became a sheep farmer.

Upon his escape to France, he experienced an inspirational vision, became a priest and later became the second Bishop to Ireland. He is noted for establishing schools, churches and monasteries around the country.

In his preaching, he often used three-leafed shamrocks as a metaphor of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Trinity, which is why it is so much a symbol of Ireland today. Once you’ve brushed up on your Irish history, here are some other ways to celebrate.

Since it is a “feast day,” consuming traditional Irish food is the ideal way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2010. Whether you have friends and family over for a sit-down meal or you hit up a local restaurant, you’ll enjoy the specialties that Irish cuisine has to offer.

Saint Patricks Day dinner ideas include corned beef, cabbage, Reuben sandwiches, Irish lamb or beef stew, Guinness and cheddar soup, shepherd’s pie, Atlantic salmon, Guinness beef tips with mashed potatoes and chicken/apple boxty. You can finish up your meal with coffee and Bailey’s Irish cream and a piece of Irish soda bread.

Irish culture is embedded in much media, so you may consider singing Irish songs, attending Irish theatre or watching an Irish movie for St. Patrick’s Day 2010.

Homesick Irish-Americans have always liked movies such as; Going My Way (with Bing Crosby), The Bells of St. Mary’s (with Bing Crosby & Ingrid Bergman), The Quiet Man (with John Wayne & Maureen O’Hara) and Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt’s memoir).

Theatrical performances of Riverdance are popular in March, as are Celtic music concerts. Also, don’t forget to sing along with traditional Irish folk songs like “Danny Boy” or “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”

To read more Celebrating With Traditional Irish Cuisine On St. Patrick’s Day 2010

Ireland is sometimes referred to as “the island of saints and scholars” because so many noteworthy individuals came from this relatively small land mass.

Even though many of the Irish saints were never officially canonized by the Catholic Church and many of their names and stories have been lost in the annals of history, there are still a number of people the Church commemorates as ideal examples of Christianity.

Some saints of Ireland are quite famous — like Saint Patrick — while others, such as Saint Valentine and Saint Brendan are less well known outside of Ireland. Here you can read a brief overview of the saints who contributed so much to Irish culture and religion.

Saint Fiachra, another one of the more popular saints of Ireland, lived in Ireland during the 7th Century. As a skilled herbal healer, Fiachra of County Kilkenny sought a reclusive life of contemplation, far from his cult-like followers who believed he had the power to cure venereal diseases.

Legend has it, that a country woman saw him uprooting the earth one day and told him that he was being “beguiled with witchcraft.” Instead, he saw his tilling as work from God, so he avoided all women for the rest of his days. Today he is known as the patron saint of gardening and of venereal disease sufferers with his feast day on September 1st.

In addition to Brigid and Patrick, Saint Columba is another one of the patron saints of Ireland. After an argument with Saint Finnian of Moville over his right to keep a copy of a holy manuscript, the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne (561) culminated with many deaths and the near-exile of Columba.

Saint Brendan of Birr spoke on his behalf, so he was allowed to go into exile in Scotland, where he made it his pledge to “convert as many as had been killed in battle.” Columba’s work extended from Derry, to Durrow, to Iona and he is credited with bringing the Irish faith to the east.

His feast day is celebrated on June 9th and one can see statues of him at Drumcliff in County Sligo, Ireland.

To read more Contribution To Irish Culture By The Saints Of Ireland

The 2010 Saint Patricks Day parades are traditionally held the Sunday before March 17th in America. Seattle mops the city blocks of their parade route in kelly green for the celebration.

Chicago has been dyeing the river green for the holiday since 1961, which has inspired Indianapolis to dye its canal, Jamestown to dye its river and Savannah to dye its fountains.

Boston, Massachusetts holds the longest running Saint Patrick’s Day parade, which has been operating since 1737. If you don’t mind traveling, there are many Irish festivities from which to choose.

New York City does everything larger than life and their 2010 Saint Patricks Day parades are no exception. You can expect 150,000 participants, including politicians, firefighters, military personnel, police forces, county workers, emigrant societies, bag pipers, social clubs and dance troops and two million spectators.

Generally, the parade is moved to Saturday when March 17th falls on a Sunday. Visitors can enjoy their Paddys Day celebration at Molly’s Pub and Restaurant, which is famous for their shepherd’s pie and frothy pints of Guinness.

Downtown Chicago will undoubtedly be hosting one of the biggest and best 2010 Saint Patricks Day parades. The festival kicks off with the world-renowned Chicago River dyeing, which is a beautiful sight to see at night in particular.

Pipe bands, elaborate floats, Irish dancers and Irish culture demonstrations flood the city during this week in March. Parties run nonstop in Chicago bars, pubs and nightclubs.

Live Irish music plays at Abbey Pub and Restaurant on the north side, which can’t be missed for the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

To read more Activities For 2010 Saint Patricks Day Parades Across America

Boston, Massachusetts offers no shortage of Irish events this year, including their world-renowned St Patrick’s Day parade.

Whether you’re in the mood for Irish pubs and grub, Irish parades and festivals, or Irish museums and historical walks, you will find Boston has everything you need. Before you take off, it’s best to plan where you’ll be and at what time well in advance, since St. Patrick’s Day is a bona fide holiday here.

There are many festive activities following Boston’s St Patrick’s Day parade. While many locals will undoubtedly flood the local Irish pubs, you might want to experience more of the local culture by strolling down the twenty locations on the Irish Heritage Trail.

This three-mile self-guided walking tour will take you through downtown Boston, the North End, Beacon Hill and Back Bay. On your walk, you’ll see the Rose Kennedy Garden; statues of Irish heroes like Kevin White, James Michael Curley, Maurice Tobin, David I. Walsh and John S Copley; civic wonders like Boston’s City Hall, the Massachusetts State House; memorials for the Boston Irish Famine, Colonel Shaw, Soldiers and Sailors, Commodore John Barry, the Boston Massacre, Colonel Thomas Cass O’Reilly; and Fenway Park.

If it’s food and spirits you’re after for your St Patrick’s Day parade celebrations, then be sure to visit the Brendan Behan Pub (278 Centre St). According to Ireland native/bartender John Casey, “It’s probably about as similar to something back home as you’d get around Boston.”

Listen to live Irish music four nights a week at The Snug (116 North St). County Galway favorite, The Corrib Pub (369 Market St) is a favorite for native-born Irish folk. The Last Hurrah (60 School St) has been a popular meeting place for over 150 years.

For delicious authentic food, the following are a few Saint Patrick’s Day party ideas. Sweeney’s Retreat (18 Atlantic Ave), The Purple Shamrock (One Union St), Jose McIntyre’s (160 Milk St), Coogan’s (173 Milk St), The Brownstone (111 Dartmouth St) or The Black Rose (160 State St). For more information, visit www.irishmassachusetts.com/pubs_restaurants.php.

To read more Festive Activities Following St Patrick’s Day Parade In Boston

The house is decked in green, the Irish music is playing softly in the background and you’ve got the table set.

Organizing a Saint Patrick’s Day dinner can be a fun way to celebrate this March holiday with your friends and family. While your first instinct may be to shop for corned beef and cabbage, there are a number of traditional dishes from which to choose.

According to the Food Services of America organization, a Saint Patrick’s Day dinner of corned beef and cabbage is perhaps more of an Irish immigrant luxury than a traditional dinner served in Ireland.

Thanks to the use of expensive salts in production, corned beef was a costly delicacy that was reserved for annual Easter feasts. Pork and fresh beef would be more authentic Saint Patricks Day dinner ideas.

The FSA recommends serving up the following dishes for your dinner this March. Irish Lamb Stew, Irish Pot Roasted Chicken, Marinated Fried Fish Strips & Potatoes, Cod Cobbler, Potato & Parmesan Gratin, Bangers and Rum Sauce and Irish Smoked Salmon Salad.

What Saint Patrick’s Day dinner would be complete without a tasty Irish dessert? Irish chef Damien Brassel of Knife & Fork in Manhattan recommends serving a bottle of whiskey. Cathal Armstrong, an Irish chef at Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, Virginia, recommends apple-based desserts like crumbles, pies, cakes, fritters, dumplings or soufflés.

For an Irish-American take on desserts, try a Guinness Cake. With any luck, your St. Patty’s Day dinner will inspire your children to carry on Irish customs and traditions of their own one day.

To read more Planning Ideas For A Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner

Whether you’re a parent gathering the kids together for a fun family celebration or you’re a college student looking to “go all out,” there are many Saint Patricks Day party ideas from which to choose.

For some, the party hits the streets along the parade routes, in local Irish pubs and in restaurants. For others, a more intimate gathering at home with a potluck dinner is preferred. After all, Saint Patty’s Day is about so much more than wearing a spot o’ green to avoid getting pinched!

If you’re hosting an adult party, then there are many Saint Patricks Day party ideas to keep everyone entertained. Some Americans like to prepare green beer by adding a few drops of food coloring to a glass of light beer, like Harp’s.

However, if you want to go with the authentic Irish customs, you should go for a Guinness or some Irish whiskey instead. For a green cocktail called “Green Grog,” mix two 12-ounce cans of frozen limeade concentrate, two 12-ounce cans of frozen lemonade concentrate, two 2-liter bottles of lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage, one 750 milliliter bottle of rum and 2 quarts of lime sherbet.

For a delicious “Girl Scout Cookie” tasting shot, fill half a shot glass with Bailey’s Irish Cream, pour to three quarters full with white chocolate liqueur and top her off with creme de menthe liqueur.

You’ll definitely want to incorporate Irish songs in with your other Saint Patricks Day party ideas, since music often sets the tone for the celebration. You can go modern Irish with rock bands like U2, The Boomtown Rats, The Chieftains, The Cranberries or Sinéad O’Connor.

Other top-selling Irish acts include Enya (Celtic-New Age) and The Corrs (pop). Or you might want to go Irish punk rock with bands like the Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, The Pogues, The Real McKenzies, Blood or Whiskey and The Street Dogs. Amazon also sells mixed compilations with traditional folk songs like “Whiskey in the Jar,” “Danny Boy,” “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” or “Pub With No Beer.” Bagpipe CDs are a good way to set the tone, while borrowing from authentic Irish traditions.

To read more Keeping Friends Entertained With Saint Patricks Day Party Ideas