Happy St. Patrick’s Day
It’s that time of year again! Our decor turns green, truly our whole person’s turn green in anticipation of avoiding the yearly “pinch”. My kids get sneaky and hide their green, wearing green underwear or socks, or concealing a green shamrock drawn on a palm. I don’t however, remember a time when St. Paddy’s Day wasn’t celebrated by donning green in honor of the day. Every year, a week or so before St. Patrick’s Day, my kids start dropping not-so-subtle hints regarding their favorite easy one-pot meal for St. Patrick’s Day.
But first, we always discuss the historical significance of St. Patrick’s Day (of course, just because we like to sneak a history lesson into daily life in a fun way). St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, holds significant historical and cultural importance, particularly in Ireland and among Irish communities worldwide.
Here are some key aspects of its historical significance:
Origins of St. Patrick:
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was a 5th-century Christian missionary credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. And while much of his life is shrouded in legend, it is believed that he was born in Roman Britain and later captured by Irish raiders, spending several years in captivity in Ireland. After escaping, he returned to Britain, where he became a priest, and then returned to Ireland as a missionary.
Christianization of Ireland:
St. Patrick played a crucial role in the Christianization of Ireland. He reportedly used the shamrock, a three-leafed clover, to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the Irish people. Over time, he converted many Irish pagans to Christianity and established churches, monasteries, and schools throughout the country.
Cultural Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day:
St. Patrick’s Day evolved from a religious feast day commemorating St. Patrick’s death to a cultural celebration of Irish heritage and identity. It has become a day of festivities, parades, music, dancing, and wearing green, both in Ireland and in countries with large Irish diaspora communities, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Immigrant Experience:
St. Patrick’s Day holds particular significance for Irish immigrants, who often used the holiday as an opportunity to celebrate their heritage and maintain cultural connections to their homeland. In the United States, St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations became a way for Irish immigrants to assert their identity and demonstrate their contributions to American society.
Global Recognition of St. Patrick’s Day:
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world. Not only do people of Irish descent celebrate, but individuals from diverse backgrounds embrace the holiday’s festive spirit. It has become a symbol of Irish culture, known for its traditions, symbols (such as the shamrock and leprechaun), and iconic landmarks (like the green-dyed Chicago River and the Sydney Opera House illuminated in green lights).
Fun Videos for St. Patrick’s Day:
Our family enjoys watching several videos during March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. We watch The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns every year as we celebrate our Irish heritage. What happens when a fairy and a leprechaun fall in love? Add to this an American businessman who saves a leprechaun. In this fun-filled fantasy comic drama, humans, leprechauns, and fairies come together to end a long-lasting war in true Romeo and Juliet style. Watch the trailer below.
To further enjoy this fun holiday, our family also enjoys watching what happens when you catch a leprechaun in Disney’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People. Here is the trailer:
Significance of Green on St. Patrick’s Day
Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is a tradition that has evolved over time. Our family loves to participate in this fun way to celebrate. But why do we do this and what does it signify? This particular tradition has several possible explanations:
Represents Irish Nationalism:
The color green is associated with Ireland and Irish nationalism. Found in the Irish flag, it is often used to represent the island of Ireland itself. To wear green on St. Patrick’s Day can be seen as a way to express pride in Irish heritage and solidarity with the Irish people.
St. Patrick and Shamrocks:
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, purported using the shamrock (a green three-leafed clover) to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people during his missionary work. As a result, the shamrock became associated with St. Patrick and the holiday named after him. Therefore, wearing green, particularly shamrock-themed clothing or accessories, honors St. Patrick’s legacy.
Avoiding Pinching:
A playful tradition associates St. Patrick’s Day with receiving a pinch if you are found not wearing green. This tradition likely originated in the United States among Irish immigrants and their descendants as a lighthearted way to celebrate the holiday and identify fellow celebrants.
Leprechauns:
In Irish folklore, leprechauns are mischievous fairies often wearing green clothing. The association between leprechauns and the color green may have contributed to the tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day.
Cultural Custom of Wearing Green on St Patrick’s Day:
Over time, wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day has become a widely recognized cultural custom associated with the holiday. It’s a way for people of all backgrounds to participate in the festivities and show their enthusiasm for the occasion.
Additionally, wearing green and avoiding the traditional pinches by well-meaning siblings, my family loves eating a special meal to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Below, find the best recipe for one pot Corned Beef Brisket.
Here’s what you will need to cook your easy One Pot Meal for St. Patrick’s Day:
- 4 lbs Corned Beef Briske with a seasoning packet. Given that the grocery stores have these on sale a week or two before St. Patrick’s Day, this cut of beef will be easy to find. There are 2 different types of cuts: Flat and Point.
- Point Cut has a higher level of fat which makes it juicy and tender. Flat cut is leaner and takes a little longer to cook to get the same amount of tenderness. Both are excellent for this recipe.
- 3 1/2 pounds red potatoes washed well and peeled (or not depending on your preference)
- 1 lb Baby carrots
- 3/4 c cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 medium head Cabbage, cut into wedges
Instructions:
- Place the brisket, spice packet, brown sugar, and bay leaves in a large Dutch oven or stockpot. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
- Add the potatoes, carrots, and bacon; return to a boil. Simmer until the beef and vegetables are tender (about 30-40 minutes).
- If the pot is full, remove the potatoes and carrots before adding the cabbage. Reheat them before serving.
- Add the cabbage to the pot and simmer, covered, until tender (about 15 minutes).
- Remove the vegetables and corned beef; keep warm.
- Optionally, prepare a horseradish sauce or mustard sauce to serve alongside the sliced beef and vegetables.
This is a great way to prepare traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage. My family loves to eat it this way, but most often prefers to shred the Corned Beef adding it back into the pot with the broth and vegetables, making a Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup. This is a super easy one pot meal. Pair with Irish Soda Bread for a complete holiday meal you can make anytime. For an incredibly easy recipe, see below.
Irish Soda Bread Traditional for St. Patrick’s Day
Irish soda bread is a traditional type of quick bread that originated in Ireland. This slightly sweet bread is made using four basic ingredients: flour, baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda), salt, and buttermilk. However, while the traditional recipe is simple, variations may include additional ingredients such as butter, eggs, sugar, raisins, or caraway seeds.
The key characteristic of Irish soda bread is its use of baking soda as a leavening agent instead of yeast. When combined with an acidic ingredient like buttermilk, baking soda produces carbon dioxide gas bubbles, causing the bread to rise. This chemical leavening process results in a dense and slightly crumbly texture.
How to Prepare Irish Soda Bread
Shaped into a round loaf, Irish Soda Bread is scored with a cross on top before baking. The cross serves both a practical purpose, allowing the heat to penetrate the center of the loaf more evenly, and a symbolic one, representing a blessing or warding off evil spirits according to Irish folklore.
Traditionally, baked in a cast-iron pot over an open fire or in a hearth, Irish Soda Bread commonly is baked in an oven. Served fresh and warm, sliced and spread with butter, alongside soups, stews, or as part of a traditional Irish breakfast.
Celebrated for its simplicity, versatility, and rustic charm, Irish Soda Bread became a beloved symbol of Irish cuisine and enjoyed by people around the world, particularly on St. Patrick’s Day.
Best Simple Irish Soda Bread recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 cup Flour
- 4 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tbsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup softened Butter
- 1/4 cup melted Butter
- 1 1/4 cup Buttermilk
- 1 Egg
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Grease a baking sheet.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt together.
- Add 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup buttermilk, and egg to dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Flour work surface.
- Turn out dough and knead briefly.
- Shape the dough into a round shape and place it on a prepared sheet or inside a parchment lined dutch oven.
- Whisk together 1/4 cup melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk.
- Brush loaf with buttermilk mixture.
- Cut an X in the top of the loaf.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until the toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Brush with buttermilk mixture every 15 minutes or so while baking.
Note: you may create variation by adding raisins or currents to this recipe.
I made this using Gluten-free flour and it turned out amazing! To substitute gluten-free flour, use a good all-purpose gluten-free flour at a 1:1 ratio. Keep all other ingredients the same.
Other Fun Things to do for St. Patrick’s Day
Take a walk outside to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Our family loves to go walking to celebrate this holiday. Usually by now, the winter snows are melting and the days are turning warmer, making us all long for the flowers of spring. Go alone or go with someone. Create a playlist from Spotify, this is my favorite and so is this.
Make Green Slime
My kids never tire of making slime, no matter the season. This is an easy craft that kids never seem to tire of. Get the easy tutorial here at The Soccer Mom blog
Indulge in a Shamrock Shake
We love to stop by McDonald’s and pick up Shamrock Shakes. We especially love the minty shake available seasonally. Did you know, that the Shamrock shake was created in 1967 by McDonald’s franchise owner Hal Rosen, who made green mint-flavored shakes in honor of St. Patrick’s Day? Since then, the popular milkshake has been sold seasonally at McDonald’s to celebrate the holiday.
Take a Virtual Field Trip to Ireland
It’s been over 30 years since I visited the “Emerald Isle”. I loved my time there visiting Dublin and the countryside. Truly, I adore the green, lushness of the country, not to mention that I love all things Celtic. We were only able to spend 2 days there when I visited, so the option of taking a virtual tour is welcome. Thanks to these seemingly endless virtual tour options, you may visit museums, local hot spots, tourist destinations, and more. If you have kids at home, this is a great way to share world culture with them.
Learn Some Gaelic
Want to connect more with your Irish roots? Learn some Gaelic! The Irish language is one of the native and official languages of Ireland. Although English is the most spoken language in Ireland, according to the World Fact Book, about 39.8% of the population speaks Gaelic.
What fun things do you do with your family for St. Patrick’s Day? Drop us a note and share how you celebrate this holiday.
