ANSWERS…

Here are the answers to the questions!

How did St Patrick’s Day originate?

ANSWER:  St. Patrick’s day was first celebrated in this country in Boston in 1737. It’s not surprising that it reached our shores as there are more Americans of Irish origin than there are Irish in Ireland.

 

The man himself, St. Patrick, was born in Wales in 385 AD. His given name was Maewyn. He had an eventful life and was good at converting pagans to Christianity. He was thrown into prison several times and escaped each time from the Celtic druids to continue establishing churches and monasteries all over Ireland, a mission that took him over 30 years.

St. Patrick died on March 17th, 461 AD and that day has been celebrated as St. Patrick’s Day ever since.

When we think of this holiday, we think of green and yet the color of St. Patrick is actually blue. Green came into the picture and started to be associated with this celebration in the 19th century. The color green in Irish legends was the color worn by fairies and immortals and the color worn by people to encourage crops to grow. Even today, when we think of green, we think of springtime, new life and new growth.

 

What is the meaning of St. Patrick’s Day?  Saint Patrick’s Day is now associated with everything Irish, from the colour green to shamrocks, good luck to Guinness! However the color of Saint Patrick is blue!! However, its true meaning is as a time-honoured day for spiritual regeneration and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide. St Patrick’s day is always celebrated on the 17th March. Many believe St Patrick died on this day. The day is a religious holiday, so along with many businesses closing for the day (with the exception being restaurants and pubs), many Irish people attend mass. In many cities and towns, all over the world, with an Irish population, St. Patrick’s Day is a day to party! The people of Ireland often attend church in the morning and then get together and party in the afternoon.

What is the connection between the color green and St. Patrick’s Day? HERE ARE THREE ANSWERS THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE:  A major misconception is the association of St. Patrick with the color green. The confusion arises from the phrase “the wearing of the green,” which means to wear a shamrock. St. Patrick used the three-leaved plant to explain the Trinity of the Christian religion. Actually blue is the color associated with St. Patrick. “St. Patrick’s blue” can be seen on ancient Irish flags.     Green is associated with Saint Patrick’s Day because it is the color of spring, Ireland, and the shamrock. Leprechauns are also associated with this holiday, although I’m not sure why. Leprechauns of legend are actually mean little creatures, with the exception of the Lucky Charms guy. They were probably added later on because capitalists needed something cute to put on greeting cards Actually there’s no connection between green and St. Patrick. It’s just that Irish connecting green colour to fairies, angels, and saints, and any other Holy things.

What do you respond when someone says ‘Top of the morning’ to you? ANSWER: You should say ‘And the rest of the day to yourself!

 

What is the meaning of the shamrock? ANSWER:  The druids in Ireland looked at the shamrock as a sacred plant because its leaves formed a triad. Three was a mystical number in the Celtic religion. The shamrock was used to represent the Trinity by St. Patrick. By doing this he could show people how the church was connected. St. Patrick used this to symbolize how The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit can be separate but also part of the same entity. But this is only a myth, as it is not supported in any factual literature in Ireland. The shamrock was a sign of rebellion of the Irish from the English. Anyone seen wearing one were to hanged. The shamrock is used in Irish pubs around the world. It is a sign of an English speaking, warm establishment.

What is a leprechaun’s occupation? ANSWER: Again two answers are possible! The name leprechaun may have derived from the Irish leath bhrogan (shoemaker), although its origins may lie in luacharma’n (Irish for pygmy). These apparently aged, diminutive men are frequently to be found in an intoxicated state, caused by home-brew poteen. However they never become so drunk that the hand which holds the hammer becomes unsteady and their shoemaker’s work affected. Leprechauns have also become self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure (left by the Danes when they marauded through Ireland), burying it in crocks or pots. This may be one reason why leprechauns tend to avoid contact with humans whom they regard as foolish, flighty (and greedy?) creatures. If caught by a mortal, he will promise great wealth if allowed to go free. He carries two leather pouches. In one there is a silver shilling, a magical coin that returns to the purse each time it is paid out. In the other he carries a gold coin which he uses to try and bribe his way out of difficult situations. This coin usually turns to leaves or ashes once the leprechaun has parted with it.However, you must never take your eye off him, for he can vanish in an instant.OR:  They guard the gold at the end of the rainbow.

Why did St. Patrick convert to Christianity?  Most historians believe patrick was born a christian, indeed his father may have been a priest in the roman province of britannia. he became a priest and later bishop himself in order to return to ireland to preach to the native irish.

What was St. Patrick’s given name?  Maewyn Succat.