Pupils from St Patrick’s NS Greystones dress up in St Patrick’s Day themed outfits for Tuesday’s celebrations, including twins Nina and Sadie O’Toole. Photograph: Barry Cronin for The Irish TimesSt Patrick is today best understood in relation to his feast day of March 17th. It is no surprise then that the first recorded parade for St Patrick’s Day is in the Americas. Perhaps the greatest indication that, even in the medieval period, Patrick’s fame extended well beyond Ireland, is the evidence of the Lough Derg pilgrimage known as St Patrick’s Purgatory. Dr Elizabeth Dawson is lecturer in medieval history at St Patrick’s College, Carlow.

Source: The Irish Times March 15, 2026 02:01 UTC