St Patrick's Day

[tikay]

The Irish folk seem to really celebrate this, or that's the impression I get.

The English, Welsh & Scottish, (George, David & Andrew?) not so much, why is that?

[teddybloat]

At a guess, they have been oppressed by the mainland and so may feel a togetherness and national identity in  way that is more immediate and necessary than us.

Religion is also a bigger part of national and private life in ireland. With religion comes ritual, traditions, days of celebration. A country more steeped in religion might be more willing to join in the pagentry and ritual celebration of a saints day than a more secular country such as england.

[teddybloat]

Also, emigration.

The irish have travelled and dispersed more so than the home nations

Being outsiders a day celebratjng irishness might be focal point for irish immigramt communties.

[Mohican]

I celebrate St Davids day. I wear my Daffodil with pride.

[StuartHopkin]

Because this stuff is amazing!

[AndrewT]

St Patrick's Day is a bank holiday here (unlike the other three, though Scotland seem to be doing some half-arsed thing with St Andrew's Day), so most people have the day off.

You do have to laugh at the Australian PM getting into trouble for insinuating that the day is all about drinking.

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/mar/17/australian-pm-accused-of-patronising-irish-after-st-patricks-day-message

Because it kinda is - St Patrick's Eve is a massive drinking night because of the day off the next day.

[Mohican]

Anyone who says 'Happy St P's Day!' is definitely missing a trick.

[MintTrav]

These days it is also a massive trade and tourism marketing mission. Whoever is Taoiseach always spends the day in Washington and the rest of the government is sent round the world to take the opportunity the day presents to sell the Irish message. Out of thirty-one Ministers and Ministers of State, only two are spending the day in Ireland. This is this year's list: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/ministers-st-patrick-s-day-travel-plans-unveiled-1.2114097

Click to see full-size image.

[tikay]

These days it is also a massive trade and tourism marketing mission. Whoever is Taoiseach always spends the day in Washington and the rest of the government is sent round the world to take the opportunity the day presents to sell the Irish message. Out of thirty-one Ministers and Ministers of State, only two are spending the day in Ireland. This is this year's list: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/ministers-st-patrick-s-day-travel-plans-unveiled-1.2114097

Click to see full-size image.

I think that's great, really good use of a traditional day.

[celtic]

Anyone who says 'Happy St P's Day!' is definitely missing a trick.

Wp.

Deserves a bit of love.

[OverTheBorder]

My company is Irish, whole office over there closes. They go into it, it's quite a big deal. Scottish office gets January 2nd to sleep off New Year instead

[kinboshi]

Happy Guinness Day!