By BrianC
March 16 2004

Whilst our big party is this Sunday, Saint Patrick's day is actually the 17th March. It is a day when the Irish, of whatever generation, and their friends celebrate the anniversary of the death of a Welshman.

The tales of who Saint Patrick was and what he did are many and varied. In most cases people agree that he was brought to Ireland as a slave, took up holy orders in France. Of all the online descriptions I have managed to dig up that on the History Channel is about the best.

Ironically this day is celebrated more by those Irish outside Ireland than those in it. In my own childhood the pubs were even closed on the day. It was in the US where, over two hundred years ago, an Irish regiment of the British army first marched to celebrate the day. Only in the mid 90's did the first Saint Patrick's parade take place in Dublin.

Perhaps those who live in Ireland are more cynical about their own country. Like any society Ireland has it's faults, the sectarian bigotry which has manifested itself in violence in the Northern part of the island being the most public manifestation of this. Ireland also has a long history of poor social policy and less than honest politicians.  

With the increasing commercialisation of the day, something we are all a part of, it is easy to get cynical about the whole thing. All I can say as an Irishman is that this day IS special. That despite my homeland's faults I think it's a pretty special place.

Happy Saint Patrick's day one and all. I look forward to raising a glass with many of you this weekend.