St Patrick's Day on 17th March is traditionally the day when people the world over celebrate their Irish roots…and everyone without Irish roots is welcome to join in
too!
St Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who, after being kidnapped and spending six years in captivity, dedicated his life to converting Irish Pagans to
Christianity in the sixth century.
In the early seventeenth century, the Catholic Church made St Patrick's Day an official Feast Day, and in 1903 it became an official public holiday in Ireland with a law being introduced that,
believe it or not, required all bars and pubs to be closed on 17th March. It wasn't until the 1970s that this law was repealed and since then, St Patrick's Day has become
more of a celebration of Irish culture than a commemoration of the saint himself.
The day usually involves parades and festivals, Irish food (such as stew, cabbage and potatoes) and, of course, a notable increase in alcohol consumption, which traditionally marks the end of Lent.
There is a strong emphasis on the colour green and, in fact, in America, the Chicago River is dyed green for the occasion, as is beer in some places!
St Patrick's Day in Ibiza
If you are lucky enough to be in Ibiza on the 17th, then the place to be is Father Jacks Irish Pub on Calle de Asturias, Ibiza Town where all the stops are being pulled out to
celebrate St Patrick's Day in style. The theme is the ever-popular Father Ted and the event is a homage to him, so you are more than welcome to dig out your favourite nun or priest costume for the
occasion…or failing that, anything green goes!
Activities will include The Lovely Girls Competition, Sheep Throwing Challenge, Confessional Box, a Ceilidh (Celtic folk music and dancing), and probably, to quote the organiser,
Jillian Canney "more stuff and nonsense as it occurs to me."
Irish Stew and sandwiches will be available throughout the day, and performing their first ever gig in Ibiza, The Folkin' Hobos will be providing the music.
It is expected to be an all day event, and most certainly one for all the family!
