It's said that Patrick became Ireland's patron saint by driving the snakes from the Emerald Isle (throwing down the witty challenge, "All snakes wishing to remain in Ireland, raise your right hand"). It's a great story, but not literally true.
Since the Ice Age, the country most likely had no snakes; however, serpent symbols were prominent in the pagan rituals that dominated Ireland. Over the 3 decades that Patrick spread Christianity throughout the country, those ancient practices were "driven" away.
March 17th is believed to be the day St. Patrick died (in 460 A.D.) and is observed as a religious holiday throughout Ireland. Here in America, we mark it by adopting some of the symbols and practices of the Irish, hoping some of their "luck" will rub off on us.
* Finding a penny and picking it up
* Finding a four-leaf clover
* Sneezing 3 times before breakfast
* Spilling wine while proposing a toast
* Having a ladybug land on you
* Seeing a spider spinning in the morning
* Dropping a glove
* Picking up a pencil in the street
* An itch on the top of your head
Please
send us any St. Patrick's Day events and we will gladly post them to our community calendar.
Find local events around Arkansas celebrating St. Patrick's Day:
Eureka SpringsMarch 14th -
Victorian ClassicHot Springs National ParkMarch 17th -
Hot Springs St. Patrick's Day ParadeLittle RockMarch 14th -
North Little Rock St. Patrick's Day Parade