St. Patrick’s Day is the most Irish holiday of the year, yet it was founded in honor of a man from Britain. The first parade actually took place in Boston, not in Ireland, and it is celebrated by far more Americans than Irish citizens. Overall, this is a holiday with interesting origins and even more curious traditions. But if you love dressing up in the customary green, we suggest also dressing up your Sarasota home with St. Patrick’s Day decor – with these beautiful floral designs that will attract all the luck o’ the Irish!

Can You Spell That? Before he became a Catholic priest and missionary, Patrick’s name was Maewyn Succat – and he was born in Great Britain.

Patrick came to Ireland in quite a dramatic way. Kidnapped by pirates as a teenager, he was held captive in Ireland. After his release, he spent time in seminary; then returned to the predominantly pagan nation to preach the faith he had acquired while in captivity.  Although a famous legend claims he saved Ireland by driving out all the snakes – and he is often depicted as doing such – historians say that never happened. The legend likely arose from the fact that the pagan druid people of Ireland used snake images in their practices, and this people group was the target of Patrick’s evangelism. 

In the 1700s, the largest influx of Irish immigrants into the United States settled in the Boston area. It was in this town that St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in North America in 1737, the first official parade is questionable. Although history records the first parade was in New York City in 1766, many claim it happened in Boston a decade earlier. As of a few years ago, it was estimated that 36 million Americans claim Irish descent, meaning our parties include more folks than in Ireland – where the entire population numbers less than 5 million people.

Here in Sarasota, celebrate by drinking green beer, eating corned beef and cabbage, and wearing green. But if you want to commemorate the day sending a greeting to your Irish friends or family, send a big “Cead Mile Failte!” to them with a gorgeous Irish-inspired green and white bouquet from Beneva! St. Patrick’s Day decor was never so beautiful!