No matter where you are in the world, St. Patrick’s Day is a festival like no other. For centuries, Irish people have been travelling the world, spreading our culture wherever we go. That’s why this festival has become not only a phenomenon in Ireland but also around the globe. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a city in the world that doesn’t celebrate this unique occasion, and the Catalan capital is no different. At Flaherty’s, we’re proud to provide a hub where people from all backgrounds and walks of life can come to experience a uniquely Irish atmosphere. So, whether you’re passing through Barcelona this March 17th or a local looking to partake in the festivities, Flaherty’s is the place to be.
What is St. Patrick’s Day?
For those unfamiliar with the origins of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a crash course. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and his feast day is celebrated on March 17th. He was born in Wales sometime in the fifth century. As a young boy, he was captured by Irish pirates and sold into slavery. There he spent six years before escaping back to his homeland, where he would eventually receive a calling to return to Ireland in order to spread Christianity throughout the pagan land.
How is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated in Ireland?
Typically, people in Ireland will pin shamrocks to their clothing and go out and celebrate the day with their community. In many towns, St. Patrick’s Day parades are held, and these involve all kinds of singing, music, and dancing. For our Spanish readers, imagine a cross between Carnival and the parade of the Three Wise Men at Christmas, and you’ll get the idea.
Traditional Irish St. Patrick’s Day Dishes
When it comes to food, there’s no set meal to be specifically eaten on St. Patrick’s Day. However, it is quite typical on special occasions in Ireland to have a Full Irish Breakfast first thing in the morning. Made with sausages, bacon, white and black pudding, beans, mushrooms, and tomatoes, this hearty breakfast is the perfect way to kickstart a day of festivities. Later in the day, families may enjoy a traditional roast dinner with lamb, beef, or pork, as is customary on Sundays. If you happen to be in Barcelona on St. Patrick’s weekend and are looking to enjoy some traditional Irish cuisine, then Flaherty’s Irish Bar has you covered.
St. Patrick’s Day Around the World
One of the best things about St. Patrick’s Day as a festival is the way it has truly taken the world by storm. Parades are held in numerous major cities outside the world, such as London, New York, Boston, Moscow, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Chicago, and Munich, among others. What’s more, St. Patrick’s Day is also a national holiday on the Caribbean island of Montserrat!
Did St. Patrick really exist?
The honest answer? Yes, and no. Although much of our modern conception of St. Patrick is apocryphal, the man himself did actually exist. Here is a list to help you separate fact from fiction.
TRUTH:
- St. Patrick was born in Wales.
- He was captured by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland.
- He escaped and later became a priest.
- He returned to Ireland as a missionary and helped create a fledgling Christian community that would spread nationwide.
MYTH
- St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland.
- St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
- St. Patrick always dressed in green.
- St. Patrick invented Guinness and Riverdance and scored the winning goal against Italy in World Cup 94.
Celebrate Paddy’s Day in Style in Barcelona
Now that you’ve got the low-down on what St. Paddy’s Day is all about, why not come and join the festivities at Flaherty’s Irish Bar? Our Paddy’s day bash is simply unmissable. From the moment we open our doors on March 17th, we’ll be dressed from head to toe in green and banging out the best Irish tunes ever recorded. We have the best in Irish and international beers and beverages, not to mention a special Irish Stew on the menu to mark the occasion. Located in the heart of Barcelona, there’s simply no better place to celebrate this special day. The craic is guaranteed to be mighty!
