Why not try our Recipe of the Month for St Patrick’s Day?
Published: 17 March 2011
St. Patrick is probably the most well-known of all patron saints in Ireland. St Patrick’s day has been a feast day since the 17th century and was the only day during the Lenten period where fasting was allowed to be broken.
St. Patrick is probably the most well-known of all patron saints in Ireland. St Patrick’s day has been a feast day since the 17th century and was the only day during the Lenten period where fasting was allowed to be broken.
Not much is known about St Patrick’s life but historians do know that he was born Roman Britain in the 4th century AD. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by the Irish and taken to Ireland as a slave. Whilst held in captivity, he had a dream that God told him to flee to the coast where he would be able to board a boat back to Britain. Upon his arrival, he joined the Catholic church and studied to become a priest. In 432, he was asked by a bishop to return to Ireland to preach Christianity to the Irish people, who followed Paganism. Irish folklore tells that he used a shamrock to explain the holy trinity to them and this is why the Shamrock is worn by the Irish on this day. After thirty years of evangelism, he died and was buried according to tradition in Downpatrick.
This evening, celebrations will be taking place around the world, with Guinness being consumed in large quantities. But even if you aren’t much of a drinker, there’s still no need to miss out on the fun. Why not celebrate with a meal at home and a slice or two of our Guinness bread on the side? We recommend that you finish the loaf off the following morning by making sausage sandwiches for breakfast.
