St. Patrick was born in Wales in the 5th century, taken as a slave to Ireland at age 16 but escaped after 6 years. He is the patron saint of Ireland and Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th, the anniversary of his death. Saint Patrick's Day traditions include wearing green, parades, and celebrating the patron saint of Ireland. It is celebrated in Ireland as well as internationally in places like the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand with parades, especially a large one in New York City.

2. Saint Patrick’s Life
St. Patrick was born in Wales in the
5th
Century.
He was taken to Ireland as a slave
when he was 16, but he escaped
after 6 years.
Saint Patrick died on the 17th March,
which is when Saint Patrick’s Day is
celebrated every year.
Saint Patrick is the
patron saint of Ireland.

3. Saint Patrick’s Day Traditions
Saint Patrick’s Day became an
official holiday in Ireland in 1903.
There are lots of different traditions
for celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day.
Let’s have a look at a few from
Ireland and from around the world

4. Saint Patrick’s Day Traditions
People wear green
on Saint Patrick’s
Day.
Some people wear
costumes or funny
hats.
Some people go to
church in the morning.
In Ireland, St. Patrick’s
Day has primarily been
a religious festival.
People take part in
special parades.

5. Saint Patrick’s Day Traditions
St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish national holiday but it is also celebrated in the
UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Canada
USA
UK
Australia
New
Zealand

6. Saint Patrick’s Day Traditions
The biggest Saint Patrick’s Day
parade is in New York.
It has been going for over 250
years.
The Empire State Building even
turns on green lights for the
occasion.
New York
Phot o cour t esy of Bor i s Dzhi ngar ov ( @f l i ckr . com) - gr ant ed under cr eat i ve commons l i cence – at t r i but i on

7. Saint Patrick’s Day Traditions
Birmingham holds the largest
Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the
UK with a city centre parade that is
over 2 miles long. It is the third
biggest parade after New York and
Dublin.
In Trafalgar Square, London there
is a parade and festival and the
water in the fountains is dyed
green.
The UK

8. Saint Patrick’s Day Symbols
The colour green is used to
represent Ireland and Saint Patrick
because of the shamrock.
The Shamrock

9. Saint Patrick’s Day Symbols
The leprechaun is a type of fairy usually
taking the form of an old man who
enjoys mischief.
In stories, they make shoes and store
away coins in pots of gold hidden at the
end of rainbows.
Leprechauns