St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast–on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

Few holidays have transformed quite like St. Patrick's Day. It began in Ireland as a way to honor the country's patron saint, but through both immigration and secularisation it has now become a worldwide day to pay tribute to all things Irish. The date, March 17, is one of the few constants over the years.