New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is the biggest and oldest in the world. It attracts tourists from around the world and draws out the Irish in everyone to celebrate the day of all things green. At least that’s what the celebration looks like—a day of green. But who was St. Patrick exactly and what’s the holiday all about?
Nattalie Regester, 18, New Jersey
Why are you here?
“My senior grade came with senior skip day … We have 40 people with us now.”
Do you know who St. Patrick is?
“There’s a Saint Patrick, and I know he did something because I learned about it in confirmation. It’s not coming to my memory right now.
I’m Catholic, but I have no idea.”
Eugene Coneglan, 48, New Zealand
What does St. Patrick’s day mean?
“It’s Ireland’s national day. I see St. Patrick’s day as a day where everybody gets out together and has some fun.”
Who Is St. Patrick?
“Actually, that’s a good question, ashamedly I don’t know.”
Paul Furey, 46, Limerick, Ireland
Who is St. Patrick?
“He’s the patron saint of Ireland. ... It makes you proud to be Irish, basically. There’s huge links between America.”
Do you know why it’s associated with green?
“It’s part of the flag. Orange is for the northern part, Protestant would always be orange. White is neutral … Green is Ireland … everyone who comes to Ireland says how green it is.”
Padrig McDonagh, 18, from New Jersey, Ireland-born
Why are you here?
“It means everything to me, It’s my favorite holiday. This is the first year I’ve been here … I’ve been over, across the water plenty of times.”
What does St. Patrick’s day mean?
“It’s the day of St. Patrick’s. It’s the whole Irish thing, You know.”
Who is St. Patrick?
“He was brought over to Ireland by pirates and he got the snakes out of Ireland and brought the whole religion to Ireland.”
Do you know why it’s associated with green?
“It’s Catholics. White is peace and orange is Protestant.”
Do you know what the Shamrock symbolises?
“Yeah, it’s the father, the son, and the holy spirit.”
Adrian Ferrero, 28, Sandrine Ferrero, 28, from France
Why are you here?
“ We are in New York for one week … We saw it on the internet.”
Who is St. Patrick?
“Chief of the Irish people. St. Patrick.”
Do you know why it’s associated with green?
“It’s the color of the country … The Shamrock.”
Tierny Vagts, 22, from New Jersey
Why are you here?
“I did study at Trinity college for 6 months, I lived in Dublin for a bit, 2 years ago … I miss the celebrations so much and just being over there that I wanted to come here to kind of be as close to it as I possibly could … New York is the best place to be at that time … I had to go somewhere where it would be celebrated to it’s entirety.”
What does St. Patrick’s day mean?
“Just celebrating the Irish culture, and I don’t know, I guess family … celebrating the Irish nation.”
Do you know why it’s associated with green?
“Religion.”
Manuel Penades, 54, Yolanda Penades, 50, from Spain
What does St. Patrick’s day mean?
“It’s Irish national day.”
Who is St. Patrick?
“He’s the Saint of Ireland.”
Do you know why it’s associated with green?
“The green of Ireland. The hills.”
Breanna Hanson, 20, from New York
Why are you here?
“I’ve never been to the parade before, so I wanted to check it out.”
What does St. Patrick’s day mean?
“I don’t know the history about it. When I think of St Patrick’s day I think of drinking, everyone just having a good time, living their lives and coming together to celebrate a culture.”
Do you know why it’s associated with green?
“Shamrock? ... I’m sure it probably has something to do with saints.”
Yian Ling, 50, from New Jersey
Why are you here?
“Celebrate St. Patrick’s day, springtime, getting out and having fun.”
What does St. Patrick’s day mean?
“Community spirit.”
Jake Cohen, 19, from New jersey
Why are you here?
“Here for the Parade to enjoy and celebrate.”
What does St. Patrick’s day mean?
“For me it’s Just a holiday … I’m just here with friends having a good time.”
Meghan Kathleen Dowling, 36, from New York
Why are you here?
“I’m Irish. Where else would I be on St. Patrick’s day.”
What does St. Patrick’s day mean?
“It was the start of the Catholic religion in Ireland. It’s a beautiful day.”
Do you know why it’s associated with green?
“Ireland is green. When you go there it’s not hard to see why it’s the color green.”
Paul Reilly, 52, from Long Island, New York
Why are you here?
“I love the parade … I love coming here … the music, the people, the whole atmosphere here is wonderful.”
Who is St. Patrick?
“Patron saint of Ireland. He brought Christianity to Ireland.”
Do you know why it’s associated with green?
“The emerald isle, the shamrock … the flag, green white and gold.”
Kevin Williams, 44, Debbie Williams, 43, from England
Why are you here? “My wife came in 2011 … It’s my first time here … we'll be joining in with the celebrations later on … we’re going to the Nicks game tonight.”
Do you know why it’s associated with green?
“The emerald Ireland, the shamrock.”
Andre Assuncao, 43, Julliany Assuncao, 32, from Brazil
Why are you here?
“We came to the half marathon, last Sunday. … We already knew about St. Patrick’s day. … We stayed to see the parade.”
Who is St. Patrick?
“He brought Catholicism to the United States.”
