16 March 2015
| Last updated on 15 March 2016
St Patrick's Day Around the World
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day this year? Here's how everyone else is celebrating across the world...
Thanks to Ireland's complex history, Irish populations can be found worldwide. Meaning, St Patrick's Day has effectively become a worldwide holiday.
Here we take a look at the history of St Patrick's Day and some ideas of what to do, along with inspiration from our neighbouring countries across the world... Some of the places may surprise you!
London Parade
Thousands and thousands of people gather each year at London's recognisable Trafalgar Square to celebrate both the Mayor of London parade and St. Patrick's Day celebrations. This parade includes floats, marching bands, costumes, puppets, dancers and so much more entertainment that everyone can get involved with.
The Trafalgar Square celebrations is free to attend, and families and individuals of all ages can take part in any of the activities.
South Africa Festivities
Every year on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in South Africa as well as Ireland and the rest of the world. In fact, Cape Town plays host to an assortment of its own lively festivities in honour of the day.
A wide selection of pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs open their doors and invite dressed-up revelers in for a good bout of drinking and some Irish themed entertainment.
If you are in Cape Town this St. Patrick's Day, don't miss the Paddy's Day specials at The Village Idiot - try their green burger! Plus, down a bevvy or two at O'Driscoll's Irish Pub in the CBD or The Foreign Exchange's blowout in honour of the day.
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History in Montserrat
This tiny Caribbean volcanic island is the only other country in the world - in addition to Ireland - that celebrates St. Patrick's Day as a public holiday, but not for the reason you may think. In fact, March 17th marks the anniversary of an unsuccessful slave revolt against the European whites who colonised it in the 17th century, seven out of ten of whom were Irish.
The central celebration is the Masquerade, where Montserratians dress in colourful hats resembling bishop miters, dance Irish jigs and crack whips in mocking defiance of their one-time Irish masters.
The Japanese Influence
First held in 1993, the Tokyo parade is one of the largest of several parades around Japan to celebrate March 17th. It began by the Irish network in Japan for the purpose of introducting Irish history and culture to Japanese citizens, and has since evolved into a vibrant mix of traditional Japanese style dress with Irish costumes. Not to be missed!
Down Under in Australia
Over 80,000 people and more show up for the St. Patricks' Day Parade and Family Day in Sydney, Australia, which makes it the largest event in the southern hemisphere... And it's all in honour of St. Patrick! It's also the only event in the world outside of Ireland to be organised and funded with support from the Irish government.
But while Sydney goes big for the day, those in Perth commit a full week to the celebrations, with a host of races, activities, competitions and parades!
New York Celebrations
Shown to millions of viewers around the world on TV, the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York is the largest in the world, and most definitely pays adequate homage to the Irish history embedded in American culture. Even the iconic Empire State Building will turn green for March 17th!
The parade lasts for 6 hours, and will march down Fifth Avenue featuring floats, dancers, bagpipers galore. Expect huge amounts of people, lots of green beer and a fabulous buzz across the entire city and in its Irish bars.
SEE ALSO: Browse our collection of Irish recipes to try
Over in India
The Gateway of India in Mumbai turns green every year in honour of Saint Patrick, and the Irish pubs around the place stock up on Murphy's stout.
Turkey's Capital Goes Green
Every year, the centre of everything Irish in Turkey's Istanbul a.k.a. The James Joyce Irish Pub holds a festival in celebration of the day. The pub is the cities only Irish bar and features live dancing, music, an ample beer selection and plenty of traditional Irish food. So if you're lost in Istanbul for St. Patrick's Day this year, make sure to head here to join in all of the fun!
Green in Brussels
Belgium's capital city turns green for St. Patrick every year, as the city's St. Patrick's Day Parade is staged in the Schuman area of the EU Quarter in Brussels... Which is often referred to as the city's Irish village.
Even Brussel's most famous statue, the Manneken Pis often dresses up in tweed for the occasion.
Irish in Buenos Aires
DId you know, that Buenos Aires actually boasts the 5th largest Irish community in the world? This pocket of green in Argentina will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day in suitable fashion, with a 10-block area of the Retiro district turned into a giant street party featuring music, dancing and lots of craic.
St. Patrick's Day in Dubai
Whether you're an Irish expat living in the Emirate, an Irish tourist visiting Dubai or quite simply someone who wants to join in the celebrations of St. Patrick's Day, there's plenty to do and see and get involved with here in the city.
There are around 4 Irish venues in Dubai and all will no doubt be having celebrations over the St Patrick's Day weekend- usually live music from Irish bands, Irish dancers, entertainers and fancy dress is encouraged!
SEE ALSO: Where to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Dubai
History Of St Patrick's Day
St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed that he died on March 17th in the year 461 AD. St. Patrick was born in 385 AD somewhere along the west coast of Britain, possibly in the Welsh town of Banwen. So St Patrick wasn’t actually Irish!
Saint Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early 17th century and has nowadays become a non- religious, worldwide celebration of Irish culture in general.
Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador and in Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by Irish expats all over the world, especially in places such as Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, St. Patrick's Day is probably one of the most widely celebrated saint's day in the world!
