St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin 13-17 March 2008

70 million people worldwide claim Irish heritage and the St. Patrick's Festival is their opportunity to celebrate Ireland. The Feast of St. Patrick is now celebrated in nearly every country throughout the world where Irish descendents or influences have continued to reinforce its popularity. Among the countries with strong traditions of celebrating St Patrick’s Day are the United States, Canada and Australia, but also France, Argentina, Russia, Japan and even the Caribbean island of Montserrat.

But nobody does it quite like the Irish at home in Ireland! While the rest of the world tuck in to Irish stew and Guinness, those in Ireland are enjoying a 5-day feast of street theatre, music, dance, carnivals, fireworks, food, film and parades.

The jewel in the Festival crown is the St. Patrick's Festival Parade on 17 March: a fantastical array of pageants delight the crowds of hundreds of thousands in Dublin, adding colour, energy and excitement to parade 2008!

No one knows how to have the ‘craic’ like the Irish, and what better time to start thinking about a trip to Ireland – log onto www.discoverireland.com to whet your appetite.

ST. PATRICK FACTS

- St. Patrick is largely credited with having converted the Pagan Irish to Christianity.
- Patrick was not actually Irish! He was born in Britain around 400 AD.
- At the age of 15 or 16 Patrick was kidnapped by the Irish Pirate King, Niall of the Nine Hostages and sold into slavery.
- After 6 years Patrick escaped to England where within a decade he became a bishop.
- Patrick came back to Ireland in 432 to work as a Christian Missionary.
- Patrick founded his first church in Ireland at Saul, outside Downpatrick. It is still used today.
- St. Patrick traditionally used the Shamrock (3-leafed clover) to explain the concept of the holy trinity.
- Legend has it that St. Patrick rid Ireland of snakes. In fact, Ireland has never had snakes - this possibly refers to his banishment of Satan, often perceived as a serpent.

See www.discoverireland.com for more information.
Produced for Tourism Ireland