To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we look back on some of the ways in which University students have commemorated the holiday over the years. There have been musical performances to bring cheer to hospital patients. There have been athletic pursuits in Limerick. There has been a tradition of green beverages. From St. Patrick’s Day parade spring break plans to advocating for the adoption of St. Patrick’s Day as a national holiday, the celebrations demonstrate the lasting impact of the holiday.
1950s
March 18, 1954
“St. Patrick’s Day Program Given In Hospital Wards”
By unlisted author
The Wednesday Music Club and the University Hospital Circle sponsored a special program for St. Patrick’s Day. Irish folk songs and piano pieces were performed for patients at the University Hospital.
1970s
March 8, 1979
“Groos heads for Ireland”
By unlisted author
Second-year Margaret Groos, a runner, traveled to Limerick, Ireland, March 17 to compete in the World Cross Country Championships. She was one of six women who were selected to represent the United States in these championships.
1980s
March 20, 1984
“Spring Break ‘84”
By Elizabeth Lee, Rebecca James, Joanna Roberts and an unknown author
Photos by Elizabeth Lee, Rebecca James and Forozan Navid
Among activities such as starting a business in St. Petersburg, Fla. and sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. to Bimini, Bahamas, some spent the spring break of 1984 in Savannah, Ga. at a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Both Irish and non-Irish joined in the fun, sporting anything one could find in the color green.
1990s
March 18, 1997
“In search of a green tongue”
By Emily Heil
For the first time in four years, St. Patrick’s Day occurred when students were back on Grounds from spring break. Local bars drew students with specially dyed green beer, and one Corner spot offered bright green bagels.
2000s
March 20, 2009
“Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day”
By Bobby Laverty
In the wake of Guinness’s Proposition 317, which would cement St. Patrick’s Day as a national holiday, we are reminded of the true origins of the special event. St. Patrick, captured by the Irish, was guided home to Britain by a series of visions, which upon his return called him to convert the people of Ireland to Christianity. Celebrated in America since 1762, St. Patrick’s Day has brought festivity and joy since the days of the patron saint himself.
2000s
March 17, 2006
“The real St. Patty’s Day”
By Defne Gunay
Photos by John McNamee
Despite the great cultural significance of St. Patrick’s Day for the people of Ireland, celebrators in America revel in the consumeristic ways to mark the day. By purchasing green milkshakes from McDonald’s and significantly more alcohol than usual, many consumers in America tend to enjoy the materialistic ways to celebrate the holiday.
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