Erin Murphy
Staff Writer
This Thursday, everyone gets to be Irish for a day. The origin of this holiday is celebrating the life of St. Patrick, who, according to legend, drove the snakes in Ireland, a symbol of the Devil in Christianity, into the sea. The shamrock became significant because St. Patrick used it while preaching, showing that the three leaves represented the father, son, and holy spirit of Christian teachings. The four leaf clover has been considered lucky even farther back in time that the dominance of Christianity. The Celts of Whales and Druids saw them as charms against evil spirits, each leaf symbolizing faith, hope, love, and luck.
St. Patrick’s Day in the modern era is a holiday full of opportunities to go out and celebrate. There is something for everyone, regardless of age. With a parade and plenty of Irish restaurants and pubs to choose from, St. Patty’s Day can be celebrated however you want for as long as you want.
Parade:
Ancient Order of Hibernians’ Dogtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Date: 3/17/2011
Location: Tamm and Oakland Avenue
Time: Noon
Website: www.stlhibernians.com
Restaurants:
O’Connell’s Pub
4652 Shaw Ave., at Kingshighway Blvd.
(314) 773-6600
John D. McGurks
1200 Russell, Soulard
(314) 776-8309
The Doubliner
1025 Washington Ave.
(314) 421-4300
Seamus McDaniels
1208 Tamm Ave.
(314) 645-6337
Pat’s Bar & Grill
6400 Oakland Ave.
(314) 647-6553
O’Malley’s Irish Pub
1900 Cherokee Street
(314) 762-9308
Kilkenny’s Pub
20 North Central, Clayton
(314) 725-0161
Molly Darcys
26 North Meramec, Clayton
(314) 863-8400
Tigin Irish Pub
333 Washington Ave.
(314) 241-8666
Helen Fitzgerald’s
3650 South Lindbergh
(314) 984-0026