*Originally published on March 13. Republished on March 16 for timeliness.

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17. The holiday is synonymous with parades, shamrocks, and Irish culture. As you prepare to celebrate this Sunday, 352today’s Kathy Dugan uncovers the origins of symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day and has curated a list of places you can celebrate in the 352.

The Shamrock

The shamrock, also known as the “seamroy” by the Celts according to History, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland symbolizing spring rebirth. By the 17th century, it became a symbol of Irish nationalism, as English rule led to land seizure and language laws against Catholicism and Irish language. Many Irish wore the shamrock as a symbol of pride and dissatisfaction.

Courtesy: Canva Pro

Wearing o’ the green

Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is believed to make you invisible to leprechauns, a tradition that originated from the color blue associated with Saint Patrick. The modern trend of wearing green on March 17 is believed to have been initiated by Americans, according to the website IrishCentral whose mission is to be the trusted source for information related to Ireland and the Irish. Irish Central says the tradition of wearing green on Ireland’s national holiday has become so widespread that there is a strict rule: wear green or get pinched. If you happen to be in Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, it’s probably not a good idea to pinch those not wearing green as it just might cause a pub fight.

Where green or risk being pinched on St. Patrick’s Day. Courtesy: Canva Pro

Green Beer

Speaking of bars, the tradition of drinking green beer on St. Patrick’s Day apparently originated in the United States, not Ireland. According to Food & Wine, Dr. Thomas Curtin, a coroner’s physician and eye surgeon, created the first green beer for an annual celebration at the Schnerer Club of Morrisania in the Bronx. Food & Wine says the recipe for the beer was vague, but it contained a drop of wash blue and the tradition of “drowning the shamrock,” where drinkers add green shamrocks to their beverages, may have been the doctor’s inspiration.

Food & Wine says if you plan to make your own green beer, your best bet is to use blue food coloring as it blends perfectly into the frothy ale’s yellow hue to create the perfect shade of shamrock green.

Sláinte! Many will toast St. Patrick’s Day with pints of green beer. Courtesy: Canva Pro

Leprechauns

The Leprechaun, originally called “lobaircin,” is a symbol of the Irish holiday. The website History says they originated from Celtic belief in fairies. According to the website History, leprechauns were “cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies.”  History tells us they were known for their trickery and often used it to protect their treasure. The site says leprechauns have their own holiday on May 13, but are also celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day

You’re sure to see plenty of people in leprechaun costumes this Sunday. Courtesy: Canva Pro

Get in a musical mood

According to IrishCentral, traditional Irish music originated from the Celts 2,000 years ago, with the harp possibly originating from Egypt. According to IrishCentral, the harp was the most popular instrument in ancient times, used by chieftains and nobles. However, the Flight of the Earls in 1607 led to native Irish chieftains fleeing to mainland Europe, leaving harpists to travel the country.  The site says it wasn’t until 1762 that tunes were officially written down, and collectors began compiling music.  IrishCentral says the tradition of collecting Irish music continues today in the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin, the world’s largest collection of traditional and folk music.

Today, modern bands take on both traditional Irish tunes and those written in the Irish style with a conventional twist.

  • The Dubliners
  • Dropkick Murphy
  • The Pogues
  • The Clancey Brothers

    Several places in the 352 will have live Irish music this weekend. Courtesy: Canva Pro

Best places to celebrate in the 352

Regardless of your ancestry, there are plenty of places around North Central Florida where everyone will be Irish this weekend. Here are a few places where you’ll be able to raise your glass and toast, Sláinte!