St. Patrick’s Day: A history behind the celebration

By Jorge Rosado
Contributing writer

For many years, St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland in the fifth century, has allowed celebrators the opportunity to let loose and show their pride – Irish pride. University of North Florida students are celebrating with intense house parties, costumes and non-traditional Irish-pride cocktails.

“Much of what we know about St. Patrick is legend,” said Dr. David Sheffler, assistant professor of the department of history. “He has many stories that contribute to his eminence, two of which include his driving the snakes out of Ireland and using the three-leaf clover to teach people the trinity.”

St. Patrick was born in Wales around AD 385 and was named Maewyn, according to wilstar.com, a St. Patrick’s Day Web site. He was a pagan until he reached 16 years of age, when he was sold into slavery and eventually became closer to God, according to the site. He escaped slavery after six years and joined a monastery in Gaul for 12 years. After losing an appointment as bishop of Ireland to St. Palladius, Patrick was later appointed as second bishop to Ireland, where he converted many pagans to Christianity and escaped arrests several times during a span of 30 years. He died March 17, AD 461.

The tradition appeared in America in 1737, where it was first publicly celebrated in Boston, according to the site.

St. Patrick’s Day is important, because it’s a reflection of the Irish migrating to the United States, Sheffler said. It’s a collaboration of American and Irish customs, he said.

Jacksonville will be home to several St. Patrick’s Day events March 17. Lynch’s Irish Pub will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration with live entertainment and original Irish pride drinks, such as the Irish flag, hot nutty Irishman and the Celtic cocktail. Lynch’s also offers traditional Irish cuisine including corned beef and cabbage, and Sheppard’s pie and stew.

“One of our most popular St. Patrick’s Day shots is the Irish flag,” said Mishell Penny, a cocktail waitress at the pub. “It’s a layered shot with three colored liqueurs that resemble the Irish flag.”

Some UNF students decided to avoid the hustle and bustle of busy bars and attend different house parties.

“I am going to a costume party,” said senior political science major Jessie Spradley. “It will be my way of paying homage to the Emerald Isle. If I were to go out, I would probably stop by Lynch’s or the Ale House. I know both places have events scheduled.”

For dedicated partyers, radio station 97.9 Kiss FM and the Amsterdam Sky Café are sponsoring the Green Eggs and Kegs party Downtown Jacksonville from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. The party features live music and all-day drink specials. Green eggs will also be available on the menu at Amsterdam Sky Café.



E-mail Jorge Rosado at uspinnak@unf.edu.