Ah, St. Patrick's Day. The day when everyone claims to be Irish, wears green, and drinks more than they probably should. But have you ever wondered how this holiday became synonymous with alcohol consumption? Let's take a look at the history of drinking on St. Patrick's Day, with a humorous twist.
First things first, let's talk about St. Patrick himself. He was the patron saint of Ireland and is credited with bringing Christianity to the country. But did you know that he was also known to be a bit of a partier? Legend has it that he once kicked all the snakes out of Ireland and celebrated with a pint of Guinness. Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it's not far off from the truth.
St. Patrick's Day originally started as a religious holiday in Ireland in the 17th century. It was a day to honour St. Patrick and attend church services. But let's be honest, sitting in church all day can get a bit boring. So, the Irish decided to liven things up a bit by feasting with family and friends. And what's a feast without a little bit of alcohol?
Drinking on St. Patrick's Day didn't become popular until the 18th century when the holiday became a public holiday in Ireland. That's when the tradition of "drowning the shamrock" started. Now, don't worry, no shamrocks were actually harmed in this tradition. It involved placing a shamrock, a symbol of Ireland, in a glass of whiskey or beer and then drinking it as a toast to St. Patrick. Legend has it that by doing this, you would receive good luck for the coming year. We're not sure how true that is, but we're willing to give it a shot.
As the years went on, the drinking culture associated with St. Patrick's Day continued to grow. It became less about honouring St. Patrick and more about having a good time with friends. And what's more fun than getting a little bit tipsy? Okay, maybe we shouldn't encourage heavy drinking, but a little bit of alcohol can't hurt, right?
In the United States, St. Patrick's Day became an even bigger holiday than it was in Ireland. In fact, it's estimated that Americans spend over $5 billion on St. Patrick's Day festivities. That's a lot of green, both in the sense of money and clothing.
The first St. Patrick's Day parade in the United States took place in New York City in 1762. It wasn't until the mid-1800s that the parade became associated with drinking. This was around the same time that Irish immigrants were coming to the United States in large numbers. They brought their traditions with them, including the tradition of drinking on St. Patrick's Day.
But it wasn't just the Irish who were drinking on St. Patrick's Day. In fact, it became a day for people of all backgrounds to let loose and have a good time. It's a day where everyone can be Irish, at least for a little while.
Now, we should mention that drinking to excess on St. Patrick's Day is not recommended. It can lead to a variety of health problems and can also ruin your fun. So, if you do decide to indulge, do so responsibly. And make sure you're wearing green while you're at it.
The history of drinking on St. Patrick's Day is a long and storied one. It started as a way to honour St. Patrick and evolved into a day of feasting and drinking with friends. While it's important to remember the holiday's roots, it's also important to have fun and enjoy yourself... just remember to prepare appropriately, perhaps by taking some LVDY so that you can love the day after St Patrick's day too!