Every year on March 17th, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in honor of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Although he was born in Britain, Saint Patrick’s story is deeply tied to Ireland. As a young boy, he was kidnapped and taken there as a slave, where he spent years tending sheep.

Eventually, Saint Patrick escaped and made his way home. During the years that followed, he spent time quietly praying and seeking God’s will for his life. Surprisingly, he later felt called to return to the very place from which he had once fled. Back in Ireland, Saint Patrick began preaching and building churches and schools throughout the country. His kindness and generosity quickly became known among the Irish people.

Today, we celebrate Saint Patrick and the country he loved and served in many joyful ways. Simple traditions, like wearing green, continue to be popular. Parades are held in his honor in many cities, and festive St. Patrick’s Day gatherings often feature Irish food, music, and dancing.

Our local library even hosts an annual celebration complete with a treasure hunt, Irish trivia, and shamrock crafts.

One of the most recognizable symbols of St. Patrick’s Day is the shamrock. According to tradition, Saint Patrick used the shamrock’s three leaves to explain the Christian idea of one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The harp, a national symbol of Ireland, is also commonly seen during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Around this time of year we also hear stories about the “wee folk,” better known as leprechauns. Legend says that if you catch one, he must lead you to his hidden pot of gold! If you’re interested in Irish folklore about these mischievous, fairy-like creatures, two fun tales to explore are The Little Dancer and How the Leprechauns Learned to Count Their Pots of Gold.

There are also many myths and legends surrounding Saint Patrick himself. One well-known story claims that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland by banging a drum!

Our Favorite Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day Fun:

In the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, we love finding little ways to celebrate. Here are some of our favorite traditions:

Attend a St. Patrick’s Day Parade

We usually try to attend our local parade. It’s always full of colorful displays and family-friendly fun. The kids especially love collecting the beads and candy tossed along the route!

Find a Shamrock

Our decorations for St. Patrick’s Day are simple. The star of the show is a humble green shamrock sitting on the kitchen counter. Its delicate white blossoms make it surprisingly beautiful, l can hardly keep my eyes off it.

Read Books or Listen to Audio Stories

During the week leading up to the holiday, we bring out our St. Patrick’s Day picture book collection. We also enjoy listening to favorite audio stories like Celtic Treasures by Jim Weiss and Tales from Old Ireland.

Make Shamrock Shakes

The boys especially look forward to these sweet treats each year. We’ve tried many recipes, but this year we kept things simple with ice cream, milk, mint extract, and natural green food coloring. Yum!

Make Rainbow Skewers

This has become a yearly tradition because it’s both healthy and easy for our children to do by themselves. They wash and prepare the fruit, and then big brother slides the colorful pieces onto skewers. They are beautiful, and so delicious, that they quickly disappear!

Tell St. Patrick’s Day Jokes

Our children, like most, love to laugh, so I’m always looking for new jokes to surprise them with. Printable free joke cards have been a big hit this year!

Do a St. Patrick’s Day Craft

This year we made rainbow chains. Last year our children made Fruit Loop necklaces, stringing them was almost as fun as eating them afterward!

Use a Shamrock Cookie Cutter

Throughout the week I use our shamrock cookie cutter whenever possible-sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, toast, eggs, even quesadillas. The boys are always thrilled to discover shamrock-shaped versions of their usual favorites.

Set a Leprechaun Trap

The night before St. Patrick’s Day, we set a leprechaun trap. The boys either design their own or assemble one from a kit and always include something shiny to lure the wee folk!

St. Patrick’s Day Morning:

St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast

We like to start the day with something green. This year we made green smoothies, and we always make Irish soda bread, served with generous amounts of Kerrygold pure Irish butter.

Check the Leprechaun Trap

After breakfast, we checked the trap. The leprechaun had escaped, but left a few gold chocolate coins behind!

Easy Irish Soda Bread (No Yeast!):

This traditional Irish soda bread is quick, simple, and perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Since it uses baking soda instead of yeast, there’s no rising time, just mix, shape, and bake!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional but kid-friendly)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• 1¾ cups buttermilk
• 1 cup currants or raisins (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture looks crumbly.
4. Stir in currants or raisins if using.
5. Add buttermilk and mix just until a soft dough forms.
6. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on the baking sheet.
7. Cut a deep “X” across the top with a knife.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
9. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Tips for Success:

• Don’t overmix the dough, keep it light for the best texture.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar with 1¾ cups milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Serve warm with butter, honey, or jam.

Hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick’s!