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By Devon Aragona
From Moscow to Malibu, the traditional Irish holiday of Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions of people. Findlay is no different, with students celebrating this long-standing day of green. But do they know why they are celebrating Saint Patrick?
Records of Saint Patrick are vague, but according to history records, Patrick, who was actually British, was captured from home in his teens and taken to Ireland where he was a slave for several years. After escaping and returning home, he became a cleric, he returned to Ireland as a missionary to work to convert Pagan Irishmen to Christianity.
Saint Patrick’s day is traditionally celebrated on March 17, the date that is said to be the date of the Saint’s death. He has become the patron state of the country of Ireland.
Over the years, the feast and traditions have become less focused on Saint Patrick, and more focused on the traditions brought to the United States by Irish immigrants, such as Guinness.
“I prefer to spend my holiday at Nino’s bar with my favorite bartenders Sunny Winterroth and Leah pricem,” said junior western equestrian studies and English major Courtney Sheely.
Nino’s Bar and Grill, a local hang out for many Findlay students, celebrates Saint Patick’s day with specials and by adding a little green to their color scheme.
“We will have green beer and will be opening a couple of hours earlier at 2 p.m., for Saint Patrick’s day,” said Abigael Hays, Findlay alumni and a manager at Nino’s.
For other Findlay students, Saint Patrick’s Day may be a little more about being entertained by celebrators.
“I’ll be at work at McDonald’s waiting for the spirited people to come get Shamrock Shakes,” said Adam Michael, senior creative writing major.
While some students may stick around Findlay, others are wishing that they were somewhere else.
“Unfortunately I will have to stay in Findlay for Saint Patrick’s Day this year and probably go to Nino’s, but I would rather be up in Cleveland at the parade,” said Allison Bunsey, a senior computer science major.
Some Findlay students know the original purpose of Saint Patrick’s Day and choose to keep that in mind when the holiday rolls around each year.
“Saint Patrick’s Day celebrates the Roman Catholic feast day of the patron saint of Ireland who died on that day,” said Lexi Napper, a freshmen pre-law and environmental science major. “But I honestly don’t know why we wear green.”
Not surprisingly, many don’t know why the color green is the Saint Patty’s Day staple.
“I attempt to wear green so I don’t get pinched. But no, I have no idea why green,” said Michael.
The infamous holiday tradition of green also dates back to Saint Patrick and his myth that grew over the Irish people.
The shamrock, or three-leaf clover, was something used by Saint Patrick to explain the holy trinity. The tradition of wearing them as a way of showing Irish Christian pride, according to multiple sources, began and then grew into people wearing green clothing. The traditional color of Saint Patrick was originally blue.
Today, the Republic of Ireland uses the popular holiday as a way of spreading Irish culture and celebrating its heritage.
