Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day History

Saint Patrick's Day honours Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who is primarily recognized for bringing Christianity to the island. Saint Patrick's Day involves festive public parades, wearing of green clothing or accessories, and public celebrations often featuring Irish music and dance. The consumption of traditional Irish foods and drinks is also a common part of the festival.

The holiday's history can be traced back over 1,000 years to Ireland. Legend has it that Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock, now a symbol of the holiday, to teach the concept of the Holy Trinity. Considering the significant presence of Christianity in India along with a shared colonial history with Ireland, Saint Patrick's Day has meaningful connections in the Indian context. Though it is not a public holiday, Saint Patrick is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Bombay, one of India's oldest and largest Catholic institutions. Moreover, the rich cultural exchanges promised by this celebration have far-reaching appeal for people in India.

Saint Patrick's Day is observed widely across India, particularly in the Christian strongholds in South India and the Northeast, and in metropolises like Delhi and Mumbai. The Irish pubs in major cities such as Bengaluru and Pune usually throw themed parties. These celebrations showcase traditional Irish music and dance performances, a highlight being percussive dance or tap dance known as Irish stepdance. Given the cultural variance across the subcontinent, the holiday is celebrated on different scales and styles. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th each year.

Top 9 Facts for 2026 Saint Patrick's Day in India

• A significant legal connection between the two nations is that the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution were directly inspired by the social policy provisions of the Irish Constitution, a fact that consistently drives educational interest in India.
• Major Indian landmarks, including the Gateway of India in Mumbai, have historically participated in the Global Greening initiative by being illuminated in emerald light to celebrate the cultural and diplomatic friendship between India and Ireland.
• The Indian struggle for independence was closely intertwined with the Irish cause through the work of Annie Besant, an activist of Irish heritage who founded the All India Home Rule League in 1916 based on the Irish political model.
• There is a celebrated literary bond between the two countries, as the renowned Irish poet W.B. Yeats wrote the introduction to the translated version of Rabindranath Tagore’s Nobel Prize-winning work Gitanjali.
• A notable historical event for both countries occurred in 1920 when members of the Connaught Rangers, an Irish regiment of the British Army stationed in India, mutinied in Jalandhar and Solan to support the Irish War of Independence.
• Many people in India are intrigued by the visual similarity between the Indian and Irish national flags, as both are tricolors featuring horizontal bands of green, white, and orange that symbolize their respective republican histories.
• For the 2026 observance, which falls on a Tuesday, major metropolitan cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, and New Delhi will host cultural festivals and themed gatherings at popular urban venues like The Irish House.
• The first book ever published in English by an author from the Indian subcontinent, titled The Travels of Dean Mahomet, was written by Sake Dean Mahomet, who lived in the Irish city of Cork for over two decades.
• A recent cross-cultural collaboration saw the Irish artistic group Macnas partner with the Behala Nutan Dal in Kolkata to create a unique display for the Durga Puja festival that honored both the Hindu goddess Durga and the Celtic goddess Danu.

In the News and Trending in India for Saint Patrick's Day

Top things to do in India for Saint Patrick's Day

• Wear green! In some parts of the world, the custom is to pinch people who aren't wearing the color of shamrocks.
• The heart of any Irish neighborhood is its local pub. Share a couple of green Guinness beers with friends at a local Irish pub or try Magner's (Bulmer's) apple cider as an alternative.
• Visit Irish Pubs: There are numerous Irish-themed pubs and restaurants spread across the major cities of India, like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, which organise special events on St. Patrick's Day. For instance, the Irish House, hosts St. Patrick’s Day parties featuring Irish music, traditional food and drinks.
• Read a book to learn more about Saint Patrick:
  St. Patrick of Ireland: A Biography - by Philip Freeman
  Confessions of St. Patrick - translated by John Skinner
  The Life and Miracles of Saint Patrick - by J. F. Kenney