Happy St. Paddy's Day.

[styley]

Is anyone going on the beer today? We went out last night with the notion of laying off today but I think it'll be too tempting to stay away today. Are you off today and are your celebrating Irish style?

[leelapops]

erm, no! I don't really observe SPD, and it just seems an excuse for a party! Not like that is a bad thing...But, no.

What are your plans?

[R1Geezer]

Just been down the old battle cruiser but apparently the the bob hope as moved paddies day to Sat just gone. Something to do with Easter

[Octavius]

We had ours yesterday, but here in Nottingham City Centre someones making a hell of a racket outside my office with some diddly diddly music.

It all sounds great, but not when you've gotta work. I'll hit the Genius again tonight.

May you be half way tp heaven before the divil knows your dead.

[Chillum]

I don't get it.
Why does anyone other that the Irish feel the need to, or the want to celebrate St Patrick's day?
I think it's a vaguely ridiculous spectacle to see the English or Scots celebrating this, with the big stupid hats on etc.
There's a common misconception that Scotland has big celebrations for St Andrew's day. We don't.
There seems to be a lot of saints-day-envy going on.
As I say, I just don't get it.
A celebration of marketing I suppose.

[CAJ1]

I live in Northern Ireland and a lot of people over here don't celebrate it - it just seems like an excuse for everyone to go out and party!

[Ice.Maiden]

Good excuse though! Everyone seems to enjoy it.

[CAJ1]

Any excuse will do for a party no matter how lame lol!

[Octavius]

What is there to get? You're a bit bah humbug aintch-ya?

Its a day of celebration, whether you are Irish, English, Scots or Mongolian, all are welcome to join in or not. Freedom of choice an'all.

[Chillum]

Maybe I am a bit bah humbug, but I just really don't get why other nations want to celebrate it.
Actually thinking about it, I really don't like organised "lets all have a good time on the count of three" type days. Never works for me, and believe me,I'm no stranger to the joys of imbibment.
And you must admit, those big bleedin' novelty hats are cr4p, almost as bad as the "see-you-Jimmy" hat & wig nonsense that we have to endure.

[B00]

I'm with Chillum on this one- I don't understand the hoohah over it either to be honest. Plus i'm also still slightly miffed that my Happy St George's day thread got removed, despite no offensive posts on it, last year.

[Myriad2112]

I didn't think the Paddy's needed an excuse.

[Ice.Maiden]

Awww Boo - I missed it. NEXT year! I'll help you organise a massive post!

[~max~]

I'm in NI too, and I'm not going out! No way am I confronting the drunken crowds and fighting for half an hour to get a drink at a packed bar. I'm staying home, my friend's coming over, and we're going to have our own wee party! lol
If I end up with puke on my shoes, at least it'll be mine.

[Ice.Maiden]

Awww...that's a shame max. A few year's back I went with some friends to umpteen Camden Town pubs, and the atmosphere was brilliant. I didn't witness ANY fighting, and all seemed welcome. x

[~max~]

Oh...I meant fighting as in struggling to get to the bar, not actual fist fights! lol

[Oneeyedvic]

erm, sorry to be a kill joy but.....

You may be celebrating St Patrick's Day today as normal, but, at least according to Catholics and Anglicans, you're making a slight mistake. Why is that?

St Patrick's Day is on 17 March every year. It's an opportunity for Christians around the world to recognise the life of the patron saint of Ireland.

But the feast day is also characterised by parades and boisterous revelry. Traditionally a major event in Ireland, the festival has spread around the world with the movement of Irish immigrants and is now even celebrated in locations like Moscow and Tokyo, which have no significant Irish populations.

This year the extremely early arrival of Easter has forced changes to St Patrick's Day.


THE ANSWER
Easter week is early this year and takes precedence over St Patrick's Day in the religious calendar

The Catholic Church in England and Wales says St Patrick's Day is simply not on the calendar of feast days this year. This week is known as Holy Week in the church and takes precedence over all saint's days.

Any saint's feast day that clashes with it is omitted from the calendar.

But the position is different in the Republic of Ireland, where St Patrick's Day was observed on Saturday 15 March, instead of Monday 17 March

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7300466.st m

[Whickerman]

bbc is slightly wrong there - the religious festivals were on the 15th, the parades all weekend and today (17th) is officially a national and bank holiday.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/st-pat ricks-day-parade-is-not-a-moveable-feast-12628 45.html

[Caribeing]

St Patricks day is celebrated more in other
countries than Ireland, so called politicians feel
more "at Home" in America than their native
homeland. It has now become an excuse for
a "booze up" Also this year because of the time
in the church calendar St Patricks day was
celebrated on Saturday because of "Holy Week"

[spudqueen]

Well I'm not celebrating it, I'm not Irish (well, one sixteenth Irish - but I don't think that really counts). I celebrate St Georges Day instead seeing as I'm English.

[Octavius]

So can I not join in on St George's Day then?