SAINT Patrick’s Day comes around every year on March 17.
The holiday aims to commemorate the Irish Patron Saint Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the island.
Which is correct St Patty's Day or St Paddy's Day?
The correct name to celebrate the Irish Patron Saint, Patrick is Paddy.
The name Patrick is the Anglicized form of Pádraig, nicknamed Páidín and Paddy.
However, another acceptable familiar name is "St. Pat's Day," as Pat is a common English nickname for Patrick.
Saying “Patty” as used in St. Patty's Day is considered by many Irish people to be disrespectful.
The name Patty is a diminutive of the female name for Patricia, not Patrick, and it is not the correct way to commemorate Ireland's patron saint.
Why do we celebrate St Patrick's Day?
According to a myth, Saint Patrick was kidnapped from the UK and brought over to Ireland in the fifth century, at 16-years-old.
St Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and according to legend, he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of the shamrock.
The reason the day is celebrated all over the world is due to Ireland's diaspora and the country's mass historical emigration.
Between 1845 and 1854 two million people were forced to leave Ireland due to the potato famine.
They traveled to the US, the UK and Canada where the national holiday is continued to be celebrated.
When is St Patrick's Day 2021?
St Patrick's Day 2021 will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 17.
It became a national holiday in Ireland in 1903 and is also a bank holiday in Northern Ireland.
The national holiday has been commemorated for over 1,000 years however, the first public celebration is up for debate.
Some argue that the first parade was held in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737 while others argue that the first official parade was held in New York in 1762.
Either way, across the world every year, people come together to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.
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