Do the Irish Hate American St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that has become synonymous with parades, green beer, and partying, especially in America. But what do the native Irish people think about these celebrations?
As it turns out, opinions are mixed. Some Irish people view the American St. Patrick’s Day parades as a fun and harmless way to celebrate Irish culture. They appreciate the enthusiasm that Americans have for the holiday and the effort they put into their celebrations.
Others, however, feel that the American celebrations have strayed too far from the holiday’s roots and have become overly commercialized. They view the parades and drinking as a caricature of Irish culture and feel that it’s disrespectful to the holiday and its origins.
One of the main criticisms that native Irish people have of the American St. Patrick’s Day parades is that they have little to do with the actual holiday. St. Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday in Ireland, marked by church services and a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage.
While parades have become a staple of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America, they are a relatively recent addition to the holiday. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762, organized by Irish soldiers in the British Army.
But in Ireland, parades have only become popular in recent years. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin was held in 1931, and it wasn’t until the 1970s and 80s that parades became more common across the country.
So while Irish people may appreciate the effort that Americans put into their St. Patrick’s Day parades, they also feel that the parades are not really in keeping with the holiday’s roots and traditions.
Another criticism that native Irish people have of the American St. Patrick’s Day celebrations is that they focus too much on drinking and partying. While drinking has long been a part of Irish culture, it’s not the main focus of the holiday.
In fact, many Irish people don’t drink at all on St. Patrick’s Day. Instead, they attend church services or spend time with their families. While there may be some drinking later in the day, it’s not the main focus of the holiday.
So when Irish people see images of Americans drinking green beer and stumbling through the streets in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, they may view it as a caricature of Irish culture.
That being said, not all Irish people view the American celebrations in a negative light. Some see it as a fun and harmless way to celebrate their culture, even if it’s not entirely authentic.
In fact, some Irish people have even traveled to America to take part in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. They appreciate the enthusiasm that Americans have for the holiday and the effort they put into their celebrations. Sometimes they come to visit friends and family and end up staying for the occasion.
In conclusion, the native Irish people have mixed feelings about the American St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations. While some appreciate the effort and enthusiasm that Americans have for the holiday, others feel that the celebrations have strayed too far from the holiday’s roots and traditions.
Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide how they want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you prefer a quiet meal with your family or a raucous parade with green beer and bagpipes, the most important thing is to celebrate Irish culture in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to you.
Check out a live webcam of a pub in Dublin, Ireland: CLICK HERE