Happy St Paddy's Day! Question

[ailsagirl]

Why is St Patrick's Day so celebrated when St Andrew's Day is barely mentioned? Anyone?

Just curious

[Siwsan]

1. There was a time (maybe it's changed) that St. Patrick's Day wasn't so huge in Ireland

We had neighbors who went to Ireland to visit family, around St. Patrick's Day. They were really shocked at the lack of anything other than going to church.

And, frankly, I think a lot of people just use the day as an excuse to party and get drunk. Most of them probably couldn't find Ireland on a map.

St. Andrews Day is celebrated in areas with larger Scottish populations.

I've never paid any attention to St. Patrick's Day because, well, I'm not Irish (neither was St. Patrick - he was Welsh).

We (the Welsh) celebrate St. David's Day (March 1), and it seems to be a growing celebration. The difference is we don't expect everyone to run around carrying daffodils and leeks, and wearing Dragon hats while swilling a bottle of Brains or Cerddin Beer. Although anyone is welcome to join us, should they so choose.

[flotsam]

2. It's an interesting point

I think maybe it's just a celebration of family roots, but everybody gets invited in for a drink...October fest, Cinco de Mayo, St Patrick's Day and others.

[Siwsan]

3. A celebration of culture is a wonderful thing to share

Just keep the focus on that culture.

I went to a parochial school, for 8 years, and had a whole lot of Irish-American classmates, and Irish nuns as teachers. And every St. Patrick's Day I felt like a complete outsider.

As time went on and I grew into a fascination with, and respect for my own ancestral roots, and people quickly learned that pinching me, because I wasn't wearing green on St. Patrick's Day, was a really, really, REALLY bad idea.

[PJMcK]

4. Whisky?

https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/old-st-andrews/old-st-andrews-clubhouse-blended-scotch-whisky/

[ailsagirl]

5. I'll try some of that!!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. It's also St. Gertrude's Day - she's the patron saint of cats!

[ailsagirl]

7. Gotta love it!

[marlakay]

8. My ancestors are irish mostly

I found out today catholics are the ones who wore green protestants wore orange. So I asked my daughter who is into the ancestry thing to find out which my family was.

My maiden name was Fitzsimmons. From south Ireland.

[Kali]

9. same reason Cinco de Mayo is and not 16 de septiembre

just an excuse to party and not really know any history or geography.