Celebrating the Luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day
Every March 17, people with Irish ancestry celebrate a day highlighting their heritage: St. Patrick’s Day. Most Americans use the day to break out their green clothes, drink beer, and go to a lively parade. However, as the name implies, the day has religious roots that stem back to St. Patrick himself.
St. Patrick’s Day books can be fun for audiences of all ages, even non-Christian people. Children can enjoy picture books filled with green pictures, while adults can escape into an Irish romance. No matter what direction you take your St. Patrick’s Day story, understanding the background of the day is helpful.
History of St. Patrick’s Day
Obviously, St. Patrick’s Day honors the real-life St. Patrick. Specifically, March 17 is St. Patrick’s feast day, which is a day that honors the life of a holy person. St. Patrick was a fifth-century missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland.
There are both legends and truths to St. Patrick’s story. In the most famous tale, St. Patrick is said to have expelled Ireland of all snakes. He also is said to have popularized the concept of a shamrock to relate to the Holy Trinity. Today, many people know St. Patrick for getting rid of snakes, and they associate shamrocks with his day.
Of course, in the 21st century, most people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without any religious connotation. The level of Christian devotion in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations depends on the region of the world. However, it is extremely common for St. Patrick’s Day to be a huge celebration. There are often parties, parades, and fairs that celebrate both Irish heritage and all things green.
The Purpose of a St. Patrick’s Day Book
As with any holiday, there is endless potential for books about or celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. These books can be picture books for the youngest readers, biographical accounts of prominent Irish figures, or any fictional genre. They can cover any topic, not even about the holiday itself.
Children’s books are a natural choice for a fun St. Patrick’s Day book. Picture books, for example, can highlight the vibrant green that is a staple of the day. Illustrations can show the whimsy that fills St. Patrick’s Day. For older children, there can be a fun story of characters associated with the lore of the day.
Adult fiction can incorporate elements of St. Patrick’s Day into all sorts of stories. Romance stories are a natural fit to play up the beauty of Ireland and Irish culture. A gripping thriller can be about a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired murderer and the detectives on the case. Much of Irish lore is fantastical, so a fantasy story can transport readers.
Nonfiction books about St. Patrick’s Day can cover a wide range of topics. Most straightforwardly, one can write a book about the history of the day or St. Patrick himself. Alternatively, Irish-inspired poetry or spiritual guides can provide an outlet for self-expression.
St. Patrick’s Day Imagery and Themes in Literature
There are tons of imagery associated with St. Patrick’s Day that can be part of any book. Picture book illustrations, book covers, themes, and elements of plot or characters can be inspired by the holiday. Here is a brief rundown of elements to include in your St. Patrick’s Day book.
Leprechauns are some of the most common figures from Irish folklore. Often depicted as a short man with red hair, leprechauns are like mischievous fairies. They are often associated with another common St. Patrick’s Day image: a pot of gold. It is said that leprechauns hide pots of gold at the end of rainbows as a prank. Luck is a big theme for St. Patrick’s Day, and “the luck of the Irish” is a common slogan.
The color green is the most resounding image of St. Patrick’s Day. On March 17, people love to wear green clothes and decorate with green everywhere, including four-leaf clovers. The Chicago River is even dyed green to celebrate the day every year. Many cities around the world hold celebrations for all things St. Patrick’s Day, including parades, fairs, and bar crawls.
You can use any and all of these elements to write a compelling St. Patrick’s Day story. Whether your characters are celebrating the day themselves or learn about Irish folklore, there’s room for all kinds of stories.
