Happy St. Patrick's Day from The Irish Store Family!

Written by Lulu O'Sullivan

A man and woman stand side by side on a rocky shore, both wearing matching green Aran sweaters with a textured pattern. The background features a cloudy sky and distant mountains, with a body of water visible.

Hi Everyone. Just wanted to wish you all a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all The Irish Store Family here in Dublin!

Whatever you’re doing today, I hope you’re having fun and catching up and with friends and family. Hopefully, you've planned the outfit, the shamrock is ready and now you can sit back and relax before the festivities.

So why not take a trip with me as I explore some of the places and customs associated with Ireland's patron saint.

1. Wearing The Shamrock

A close-up view of a dense cluster of shamrock leaves, featuring heart-shaped leaflets in various sizes. The leaves are vibrant and lush, creating a rich green background.

Shamrock will be proudly worn by millions of people all over the world today. Although the harp is Ireland's official emblem, the shamrock is everyone's favorite symbol of good fortune and folklore tells us that there's an ancient connection between the shamrock and St. Patrick himself.

The Gaelic word for Shamrock is “seamróg” meaning “summer plant”. Pagan Druids considered the shamrock sacred with its triplet of leaves, 3 is a mystical number.

Legend has it that St. Patrick then used the Shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to would be Christian converts in 5th century Ireland.

2. The Hill of Slane

Hill of Slane. Silhouetted headstones and a Celtic cross against a vibrant sunset. The sun is partially visible on the horizon, with clouds in shades of orange and yellow. The scene evokes a serene, reflective atmosphere.

Speaking of Shamrock, we must stop by the hill of Slane in County Meath. It is said that it was on this very hill that St. Patrick taught early Christians the meaning of the Holy Trinity using Ireland's famous 3 leafed clovers.

The Celtic crosses pictured above stand in the cemetery at the top of Slane Hill. The Celtic cross is a truly iconic ancient symbol of Ireland and here lies another connection to St. Patrick.

Pagans worshipped the sun and the moon and legend have it that St. Patrick combined their circular symbol with the Christian cross to create the first Celtic Cross as a way of converting the Irish people to Christianity.

Of the course the Celtic cross is still a hugely popular design in Celtic jewelry to this day. Why not treat yourself top our stunning Marcasite & Connemara Marble Celtic Cross

Available Here

3. Slemish Mountain

A tranquil landscape featuring a stream flowing through grassy terrain, with a prominent hill in the background under a clear blue sky. The scene highlights natural beauty and serenity. — © Tourism Ireland

Time to head up north now to Slemish mountain in County Antrim. It is widely documented that St. Patrick wasn't in fact Irish.

Captured in Roman Britain and brought to Ireland as a slave, he spent his first six years in this part of the country working under harsh conditions as a shepherd.

It is believed he found his true faith here during this time of extreme hardship. Each year on St.Patrick's Day people gather to walk to the top of Slemish as a pilgrimage.

4. Croagh Patrick

Croagh Patrick. A group of hikers ascends a path toward a mountain, with a white statue of a robed figure on a pedestal to the right. The sky is partially cloudy, and the landscape is green and rugged.

Time to head to the mystical west of the country to the majestic Croagh Patrick overlooking Clew Bay in County Mayo.

Legend has it that it was from here that St Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland and fasted for 40 days as penance.

To this day, flocks of pilgrims from all over the world gather at the mountain on the last Sunday in July. Some even climb the mountain barefoot to atone for their sins!

I’ve climbed this mountain myself, (keeping my shoes firmly on I hasten to add!). It’s about a 2-hour climb and worth every step. The views from the top are breathtaking.

5. St. Patrick's Day Parades

A performer in an elaborate green costume with a large hat and orange hair poses playfully outdoors, in front of a grand building. A crowd is visible in the background, watching the performance. The atmosphere suggests a St. Patrick's Day festive event or parade.

It was the Irish diaspora who first started St. Patrick's Day parades in the late 18th century, most notably in North America.

The first St. Patrick's Day parade in Ireland took place in Waterford and the first official parade in Dublin took place in 1931.

Today, thousands of parades take place worldwide with hundreds of thousands of marchers and spectators attending.

So wherever you are and however you're marking the occasion, have a wonderful time! It's also the last day of our St. Patrick's Day Sale! The perfect time to save big on our great collection of Aran Sweaters, Celtic Jewelry & Authentic Irish Homeware

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Take care,

Slán go fóill!

Lulu.

LULU O'SULLIVAN

Hi everyone. I'm Lulu O Sullivan and I founded The Irish Store in 2011 fuelled by my passion for all things Irish; its places, its people, its culture and its craft. At The Irish Store we are dedicated to bringing you, our worldwide community of valued customers, the very finest Ireland has to offer. Thanks for dropping by!