By KYRA HASH
Staff Writer
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th every year. It’s an Irish holiday that honors the death of Saint Patrick on the day of his passing in the 5th century and has been held as a religious holiday ever since. Saint Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland, although he was born in Roman Britain, and is their national Apostle. When he was 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland, and even though he did escape, he eventually returned to share ideas of Christianity.
Celebrators of St. Patrick’s Day would go to church in the mornings, then celebrate later in the day after. Since it falls within the celebration of Lent, the restrictions regarding meat consumption are disregarded on this day. The celebration often consisted of the traditional Irish meal of bacon and cabbage, drinks, and dancing.
There are many different things that make St. Patrick’s Day what it is today, but one of the more notable things is leprechauns. The name comes from the Irish word “lobaircin” which is translated to mean “small-bodied fellow”. The idea of leprechauns comes from the Celtic belief of faeries and the Fae. Tiny beings who could use their magical powers for either good or bad. And, much like the Fae, leprechauns were known for maniacally using their magic to protect their treasure.