Irish Eyes Will Be Smiling On St. Patrick's Day 2010

According to the history of Ireland, St. Patrick didn't bring Christianity to the country, nor did he drive the snakes out of Ireland. So why is St Patrick important? Some will celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2010 in gratitude for this patron saint's evangelization of God's word throughout Northern Ireland.

Others will celebrate because they're proud to be Irish or simply appreciate this excuse to partake in Irish festivities. Between parades, musical performances, special dinners and festivals, there are many ways to celebrate.

It just wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day 2010 without a parade! The nation's most celebrated parades happen in Boston, Holyoke, Chicago, New York City and Scranton. Syracuse, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Buffalo and St. Louis also offer noteworthy street festivals and parading.

Many parade routes will literally paint the streets green as throngs of floats, Irish dancers, musicians, social clubs, politicians and civil service members march. Some travelers even head to the motherland for five days of Dublin festivals.

If your city isn't blessed with its own parade, then never fear as the Chicago St. Patty's Day parade is always broadcast on WGN, and the New York St. Patrick's Day parade is broadcast on NBC.

St. Patrick's Day 2010 is a wild celebration in America. "Traditionally in Ireland, the feast of St. Patrick is a celebration of the Christianization of Ireland," explains Irish native Ninian Mellamphy, a professor of English in Canada.

He adds that this feasting day was always "a quiet celebration of our culture," with "no sense of the carnival." The parties truly began in America, where homesick immigrants sought to hang onto anything that reminded them of home.

Experts say the Blarney Stone, corned beef and cabbage, and green beer are all cheap "Americanized" ways of celebrating. However, others say that there's no problem with these traditions because the Irish have fully assimilated into American culture, without losing touch with their origins.

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The Most Celebrated Saints of Ireland

In the Church of Ireland, the people do not pray to the saints of Ireland but rather, with the saints. Irish traditions hold that people worship God alone, but there is a consciousness about the connection with those who have departed and are now with God in heaven.

The Church feels it is important to observe saint days and talk about Irish folklore because it gives Christians many examples of holiness to follow. The communion of saints remains a very important aspect of the Christian faith today, as we celebrate saints like Patrick, Columba and Brigid.

Saint Brendan of Clonfert isn't a patron saint, but he is still one of the most popular saints of Ireland. He's known as "the patron saint of emigrants, travelers, boatmen, sailors and mariners," known for his famous seven-year voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to Terra Repromissions, "the promised land of the Saints."

Despite this popular tale in Irish history, the exact coordinates of Terra Repromissions are unknown, but it's said they found a paradise rich with green vegetation and precious gems. His feast day is celebrated on May 16th.

There are three patron saints of Ireland; Patrick, Brigid and Columba. Though Columba got off to a rough start as an Irish exile, he is credited with converting the Picts tribe of Scotland to Christianity.

During his sea travels, Irish folklore has it that Columba ran into the Loch Ness monster that killed one boatman but was ordered away by Columba, much to the amazement of his kinsmen. His impressive shrine in Iona, Scotland has become a place of pilgrimage and he is commemorated with a feast day on June 9th.

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Celebrating Irish Culture With The 2010 Saint Patricks Day Parades

According to the most recent U.S. census, there are 34 million Americans of Irish descent, which is nine times the population of Ireland. Irish influences can be seen all across America, with towns and cities named Mount Gay-Shamrock (West Virginia), Shamrock Lakes (Indiana), Shamrock (Oklahoma), Shamrock (Texas), Dublin (California) and Dublin (Ohio).

Statistically speaking, Irish people comprise a quarter of the population in Massachusetts and the vast majority of the populace in New England states like Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Massachusetts.

New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Seattle also have large numbers of Irish descendents. As you can imagine, the story of St Patrick is not lost on the American people and there will be many large 2010 Saint Patricks Day parades and celebrations.

Savannah, Georgia is also one of the top cities for 2010 Saint Patricks Day parades in America. Savannah's Historic District parade route attracts 400,000 people each year, who gather to enjoy weekend festivals with Celtic music, games, competitions, food and drinks.

The city fountains are dyed green several days before the parade, women spectators kiss Armed Forces Units and people run down River and Bay streets with open containers, as is customary. While you're in town, you'll enjoy sampling Irish whiskey at Murphy's Law Irish Pub.

Seattle, Washington boasts one of the best 2010 Saint Patricks Day parades and is "one of five places to get your green on," according to CNN. You can expect 20,000 spectators along the one-mile parade route.

Festival goers paint the streets green and attend dinners, Irish soda bread baking contests, masses for peace and an Irish Week Festival, which includes dancing, food and historical exhibits.

Other important cities for your consideration include Scranton (PA), Philadelphia (PA), New Orleans (LA), Las Vegas (NV), San Francisco (CA), Syracuse (NY) and Chicago (IL).

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The World Famous St Patrick's Day Parade In Boston, Massachusetts

For a real adventure, celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Boston, Massachusetts this year. In addition to the world famous St Patrick's Day parade on Boston's south side, you can also attend a number of concerts, dinners, theatrical performances, festivals and special events throughout March.

As the saying goes, "Everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick's Day," but you can only truly get a sense of this sentiment by surrounding yourself with hordes of other Irish descendents dressed in green, armed with pints of Guinness and cheering as elaborate floats pass by.

In addition to the main South Boston St Patrick's Day parade at 1 pm on Sunday, March 14th, you can also watch several other St. Patty's Day parades. You can begin watching the processions as early as March 6th in Cape Cod (at 11 am). On the 7th, you can travel to Worcester's Park Avenue (at noon) or Lawrence's City Hall (at 1 pm).

On March 14th, the Town of Scituate begins their 1 pm parade at Gate Middle School on First Parish Road. Holyoke's widely heralded parade will take place on March 21st at 11:50 am. Or if you prefer, line up at the Abington Center for their parade on Sunday, March 21st at 1 pm.

Before or after the St Patrick's Day parade, theater-goers can watch the Lion King at the Opera House on Washington Street through March 21 (www.broadwayacrossamerica.com). On March 7th, the Irish Tea Party performs dances to Irish music and serves refreshments (www.irish-cairde.org).

On March 9th, the Hanover Theatre presents six-time Grammy winners, The Chieftains (www.thehanovertheatre.org). Or you may also be able to catch this Irish music concert at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium on March 11th. The Robinson Theatre in Waltham is hosting "A Little Bit of Ireland" by the Reagle Players acting troop from March 12 - 14 (www.reagleplayers.com).

If you're also into movies, you'll enjoy the 11th annual Irish Film Festival, from March 26 - 28 (www.irishfilmfestival.com).

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