St. Patrick’s Day has become nearly a national event, with more than the Irish celebrating on March 17th. Perhaps it's a remembrance of survivors of Potato Famine, too.
With a large Irish population across the country, St. Patrick’s Day festivities are almost a national pastime in Canada. And more people, with tongue in cheek, claim “Irish” heritage on March 17th, just to join in on the fun. It has become a day of joyous revelry and high spirits for all.
Celebrated as early as 1759 as a Catholic holiday by Irish soldiers stationed in a Montreal garrison, the St. Patrick’s Day parade has been a staple in Quebec since 1824, according to Answers.com. The day is recognized as an official provincial holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is celebrated informally but with zest almost everywhere else.
A large influx of Irish citizens immigrated to Canada during the overwhelming Potato Famine of the mid-1800s. Potatoes were the largest part of the Irish food supply at the time, but the plant disease of blight completely wiped out the crops, leaving little for the Irish people to eat. Many starved to death while others boarded ships to new lands. Sadly, a large number of those taking flight from starvation were struck with typhus, cholera and dysentery on the ships. Of 100,000 that left Ireland in 1847, 37,000 died either onboard or just after reaching Canada, said Genealogical Gleanings. Celtic Crosses mark gravesites and historic areas in respect of the tragedies.
Perhaps St. Patrick’s Day in Canada is more than the festival of a significant saint. Maybe it is also a celebration of the life and strength of a people who survived one of the most devastating eras in Irish history. Don your green sweater, pin on your shamrock and raise your glass of green beer in their honour. Cheers!
Read about the history of St. Patrick’s Day.
