Although in Ireland St Patrick’s day has become a festival which takes place over 5 days, with parades all over the country, the first St Patrick’s Day parade actually occurred in New York in 1766. Today parades and celebrations are held all over the world, inviting millions of people to celebrate being Irish for at least a day.

As popularity of St Patrick’s day has grown, so has the tradition of wearing something green, especially in America. From green hats to shamrock sun glasses, it has become popular for people to celebrate St Patrick’s day by sporting something green, even those who have no connections to Ireland. In Ireland it is traditional to wear a small bunch of shamrock, where shamrock is blessed in Church ceremonies known as Blessing of the Shamrock.

Many families attend Church on St Patrick’s Day. An official holiday, afterwards there is traditionally a large roast dinner – with roast and mashed potatoes. Alcohol was not consumed on St Patrick’s Day by tradition; only in the 1970’s were pubs allowed to open by law. Now pubs are often the focus of gatherings around the world, with only one drink at the centre – Guinness, naturally, which it’s easy to think of as the national drink of Ireland – except in the USA and Canada, where they prefer their beer cold for their special St Patrick’s day treat – and green.

At Brick Lane Music Hall we will definitely be sticking to traditional Guinness, alongside Bailey’s, of course, together with an Irish show to lift the spirits. Bring a sprig of shamrock, wear something green, or just come as you are, for our very own celebration of everything Irish.