Know The Facts and Drink Safely This St. Patrick’s Day

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Did you know?

St. Patrick’s Day is popular today as a day to drink green beer and wear green clothes. However St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th each year, has both religious and cultural influences.

It is named for Saint Patrick, the most recognized patron saint of Ireland, who lived from 385-461 A.D. St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration that commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and Saint Patrick himself.

It’s also meant to celebrate the culture and heritage of Ireland. St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain, kidnapped at 16 and taken to Ireland to serve as a slave, escaped and returned home, and studied to become a priest. He returned to Ireland and began to teach the Irish Christianity.

Quick Facts!
  • In the early 1600s, St. Patrick’s Day became a Christian day of feast. It is recognized by the Anglican, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran churches.
  • It is also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick and the ‘Day of the Festival of Patrick’ (Lá Fhéile Pádraig in Irish).
  • Saint Patrick used the shamrock, to teach the Irish Pagans about the Holy Trinity.
  • Saint Patrick’s father was a Christian priest.
  • Saint Patrick taught Christianity for 30 years. He died on March 17th, 461 A.D.
  • The reason for choosing March 17th as St. Patrick’s Day is because that is the day he died.
  • The color originally associated with St. Patrick’s Day was blue. It eventually changed to green. In the 1600s people began to wear shamrocks and green ribbons on St. Patrick’s Day.
  • In Irish legends, immortals and fairies were often dressed in green. People also wore it to encourage the growth of their crops.

green-beerAre you going out with friends and family this St. Patrick’s Day to enjoy some green beer (quick reminder: you don’t need to drink to have a good time)? Fun is important but so is drinking responsibly. Here are some informational tips to help ensure that if you are drinking you are drinking safely.

  1. Know your limit & plan ahead.
  2. Eat food before and while you drink.
  3. Sip your drink (slow down).
  4. Skip a drink now and then and substitute with non-alcoholic drink (another great tip is to have a glass of water with your drink, and sip on that between sips of your drink).
  5. Beware of unfamiliar drinks.
  6. Appoint a designated driver.
  7. Respect the rights of individuals who do not wish to drink.
  8. Keep track of how many drinks you are consuming.
  9. Space your drinks.
  10. Avoid drinking games.
  11. Never accept a drink from someone you don’t know.
  12. When ordering a drink at the bar, watch the bartender make your drink so you can know how much alcohol you will be having.
  13. If you are pregnant, might be pregnant or attempting to become pregnant do not consume any type of alcoholic beverage.

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