Updated 12 March 2019.

The story of Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick’s Day is always a fun feast day to celebrate, but who is Saint Patrick?

Saint Patrick is the foremost and most celebrated Patron Saint of Ireland. Patrick was a Christian missionary and bishop born around 385 AD. He was not Irish but of Roman-British descent. His father was a deacon and his grandfather a priest of the Christian church. According to writings by Saint Patrick, he was kidnapped at the age of sixteen by Irish raiders and taken as a slave. He spent 6 years there working on a mountain as a shepherd, during which time he found God. In his declaration, Patrick says that God spoke to him. He says that God told him to escape to the coast where a ship would take him home. After making his way home, Patrick would go on to become a priest.

Saint Patrick's Day celebrates the patron saint of Ireland

Saint Patrick’s ‘Confessio’

In his writings, Saint Patrick refers to the fact that he converted thousands of Irish people to Christianity. According to Irish legend, Saint Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland after being attacked during a 40 day fast on top of a mountain. However, this is not mentioned in his writings.

Saint Patrick died on 17 March and is said to have been buried in the Irish town of Downpatrick, which is close to Belfast.

Saint Patrick’s Day

Over the years, Saint Patrick became known as a symbol of Ireland. The shamrock, a symbol which is associated with St Patrick’s Day is said to have been used as a teaching tool by Saint Patrick. According to tradition, Saint Patrick would use the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity (The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit) to the pagans he was working to convert. The colour green also became a symbol of Saint Patrick’s Day, probably because the shamrock is green.

The Shamrock is a symbol of Saint Patrick's Day

How Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated

Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world and is particularly popular in countries with a large number of Irish descendants. Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations can include festivals, parades, traditional music and dancing. Participants enjoy dressing up in green clothes and wearing green shamrocks. Some Christian faiths will also hold church services in celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day.

Saint Patrick’s Day at The Westport Club

On Sunday 17 March The Westport Club will be celebrating all things Irish, with lots of different food and drink specials for you to try!

Aqua Restaurant

Join us on St Patrick’s Day for Irish specials, including:

  • potato, leek and ham hock soup $10 for Members ($11.00 non-Members)
  • Irish stew $14 for Members ($17 non-Members)
  • beef & Guinness pie $14 for Members ($17 non-Members)

Jimmy’s Bar & Lounge

Get into your Irish groove & relax with us this St. Patrick’s Day!  Try the flavours of Ireland with our whisky supplier tasting! And if whiskey isn’t your go-to, we have an exclusive $8 Irish Cocktail Specials list including:

  • The Lucky Leprechaun – Midori, Malibu, Pineapple, Spiced Honey, Apple
  • Choco-Mintini – Baileys, Creme de Menthe, Vodka, Cream
  • Irish Sour – Bushmills, Lemon, Spiced Apple

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