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According to History.com, Ireland didn’t allow their pubs to open on St. Patrick’s day until 1995, when they decided to use the guise of the holiday to promote tourism.  Before that, it was revered as a religious holiday, one in which the people were allowed to consume meat (traditionally Irish bacon and cabbage) despite the fact that it fell during the Lenten season.  After taking the time to read a little about St. Patrick, I have much more appreciation for this feast day.

He was not Irish, instead he was kidnapped as a teenager and sold into slavery, and ended up in Ireland, which at that time was not a Christian nation.  He continued to grow closer to God, and prayed constantly.  After six years in slavery, he escaped at age 20 and made it back to Britain, where he became a bishop.  He felt called to go back to Ireland and convert people to Christianity.  And he did.

Many of the symbols of our Irish themed celebrations stemmed from his teachings.  For instance, the shamrock is an item he used to describe the Trinity.

However, what was once strictly a religious holiday has evolved into a secular holiday as well.   Traditionally we all wear green for fear of being pinched, drink green beer, eat green food, and say Irish blessings.

Around the web there are so many cute ideas for those with kids (and those who are kids at heart).  I’m afraid I will forget some, but if I do, I’ll keep coming back and updating this list, and add new links as I find them.

Alphabet Soup’s St. Patrick’s Day page

Living Locurto: Compilation of printables and Rainbow Projects

The Mother Huddle’s St. Patrick’s Day Fun

Tip Junkie’s veritable treasure trove of crafts/activities/ideas. (If you don’t follow her already, you are missing out, I tell you what.) She has links to adult party ideas in this post as well.

A new one popped up in my reader today!  Family Corner’s blog (check out the green and white chocolate covered pretzels! Mmmmm…)

This is all I have so far…as I come across more I’ll pass them along to y’all.