St Patrick's Day · Ruz-e Sant Patrik

Culture of origin: Christian · Cultural

Holiday sources: Australia (national) · Canada (federal) · Christianity · France · Germany (nationwide) · United Kingdom (England and Wales) · United States (federal)

St Patrick's Day falls on the traditional date of the death of Patrick, the 5th-century missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland and, in legend, explained the Trinity with a shamrock. It is a feast for Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans and a celebration of Irish culture, with parades in Dublin, New York, Chicago and wherever the Irish diaspora lives, and the wearing of green. It is a public holiday in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Montserrat. When March 17 falls in Holy Week the church moves the feast (as in 2008), but the civil day stays; the civil date is shown.