The nation holiday of Ireland and a feast day celebrated for centuries, Saint Patrick’s Day is upon us! Normally held on March 17th, this year the holiday conflicts with the Roman Catholic Holy Week and has thus been moved up two days to March 15th. You know what that means – one of the biggest party days of the year is now on a Saturday!
This abnormal conflict is actually quite rare – the last time it happened was in 1940, and the next one isn’t forecasted until 2160! So whether you live in Ireland (and hence have the Monday off anyway), or not, it’s a free day to see parades, look for leprechauns and shamrocks and drink plenty of beer, green or otherwise. Now, the holiday might have originated with the Irish in the early 17th century, with the first parade taking place in Boston in 1737, nowadays people of all stripes and colors like to “become Irish for a day” and take part in celebrations all over the world, from Argentina to Russia.
What to Do in Budapest
Search for shamrocks on Margaret Island! Shamrocks are three-leaved clovers that were traditionally used for their medical properties and were a popular motif in Victorian times. These days they bring good luck. The four-leaf clover is often confused with the shamrock. While the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, the three-leafed shamrock is mainly an Irish Catholic symbol of the Holy Trinity and has much greater significance.
Wear a green hat and make green beer! Getting decked out in Kelly green on the 15th will be a sure way to show your love for this merry holiday, and you can toast to it with a glass of green beer. Simply add 5-6 drops of food coloring to a light-colored lager and stir. Don’t try it with Guinness, as you’d need to add enough coloring to turn your teeth green!
Go to a St. Patrick’s Day party! Despite a conspicuous lack of leprechauns (or any other Irish folks) in Budapest, some of your favorite pubs are bound to be having celebrations with lots of fun games, prizes and merriment. After a few pints you’ll be ready to try out some Irish dancing, but watch your step – those feet move fast.
