Over the past 200 years, the Irish have migrated to all corners of the earth. Some left their native shores by choice, but most migrated to find work. They settled in towns and cities on five continents, with no place too remote, too wet, too dry, too hot, or too cold. That’s why St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 around the world—just as the festivities wane in one city, they begin in the next. For 24 hours as the earth rotates and portions are illuminated by the sun, one celebration begins and another ends at sunset.
Bits of these parades and festivities are broadcast on Irish TV on March 18 because even as it’s time for bed in Ireland on March 17, the most ‘Irish’ party is still in full swing elsewhere.
Irish traditions around the world
No Irish person is as in touch with their ethnicity as the emigrant or those who are descended from Irish emigrants, regardless of where they live in the world. They love to celebrate their origins with enthusiasm, and some do so quietly in remote areas like Newfoundland, where many of the citizens, though separated by several generations from their homeland, still retain the customs and accents of their ancestors’ origins.
In other areas, such as New York City, Irish emigrants have integrated into their communities for generations, operating businesses, entering politics, entering the medical professions and serving in the military just like any other citizen. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York is one of the largest in the world, now used to make national and international social and political statements in both subtle and overt ways.
Other parades take place in Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, London, Glasgow, and to a lesser degree in most European capitals. There are Irish celebrations even in parts of India, China and Japan.
The best place to celebrate the Irish national holiday
The best place to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day and take part in its festivities is, of course, Ireland. The largest parade usually takes place in Dublin and visitors from around the world flock to the city in mid-March to watch the parade’s street theater, drink a pint of Guinness and settle into a cozy Irish pub to listen to traditional music. session. Irish people living at home usually attend a local parade and there are parades in the main town/city of each county in Ireland.
It is always a pleasure to attend the local parades. Being local we know many of the participants, we enjoy their music, their satirical performances and we support our neighbors and friends who are promoting their new product or service. We enjoy judging from the pavement, our children, although they do not always understand the messages that are transmitted, enjoy the show, the color and the sound.