The Saints Days of Great Britain
St. Andrew's Day
St. Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland. This feast day is celebrated far and wide across the nation; from every Ballater hotel, to each and every school in John O'Groats. Falling on November 30th, the day is marked with fine food, as well as processions, and traditional song and dance. It is only as recently as 2007 however, that it was declared an official bank holiday for the country.
St. David's Day
The Welsh celebrate St. David's Day on March 1st. The saint in question lived in the 5th century, when he was instrumental in spreading the word of Christ. It became recognised as a national celebration in the early 18th century, although recent petitions to have the day recognised as an official bank holiday were rejected in 2007 by the British Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair. Nevertheless, the Welsh celebrate St. David's Day with traditional food and music ‚¬€ often with performances from Welsh choirs. The most notable celebrations take place in the capital of Cardiff, which comes to life each year with a colourful street procession.
St. George's Day
Although St. George is the patron saint of England, this is not the only country to celebrate his day on April 23rd. In fact, St. George is recognised by a number of countries and religions across the world, ranging from the nation of Greece, to Eastern Orthodox Christianity! St. George's Day celebrations in England are a mixed bag, but it is common for pubs to lead the way in the festivities ‚¬€ often decorating their premises with St. George's flag, and serving traditional British food such as stews and pies, along with a range of real ales.
St. Patrick's Day
Of the four British patron saints, it seems it is Patrick who has been the most influential! St. Patrick's Day falls on March 17th, and is celebrated with lively festivities by Irish people around the world. There are some truly ferocious street parties in Dublin, but it doesn't stop there ‚¬€ from Land's End in Cornwall to the Hotel Dunkeld in the Scottish Highlands, mainland Britain seems to pay more attention to St. Patrick's Day, than to its own patron saints. Perhaps more surprisingly, there are more people in US cities such as Boston and New York who identify with Irish heritage, than there are actually people in Ireland! Celebrations of St. Patrick's Day tend to involve song, dance, traditional Irish food and, almost invariably, copious amounts of Guinness.
St. Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland. This feast day is celebrated far and wide across the nation; from every Ballater hotel, to each and every school in John O'Groats. Falling on November 30th, the day is marked with fine food, as well as processions, and traditional song and dance. It is only as recently as 2007 however, that it was declared an official bank holiday for the country.
St. David's Day
The Welsh celebrate St. David's Day on March 1st. The saint in question lived in the 5th century, when he was instrumental in spreading the word of Christ. It became recognised as a national celebration in the early 18th century, although recent petitions to have the day recognised as an official bank holiday were rejected in 2007 by the British Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair. Nevertheless, the Welsh celebrate St. David's Day with traditional food and music ‚¬€ often with performances from Welsh choirs. The most notable celebrations take place in the capital of Cardiff, which comes to life each year with a colourful street procession.
St. George's Day
Although St. George is the patron saint of England, this is not the only country to celebrate his day on April 23rd. In fact, St. George is recognised by a number of countries and religions across the world, ranging from the nation of Greece, to Eastern Orthodox Christianity! St. George's Day celebrations in England are a mixed bag, but it is common for pubs to lead the way in the festivities ‚¬€ often decorating their premises with St. George's flag, and serving traditional British food such as stews and pies, along with a range of real ales.
St. Patrick's Day
Of the four British patron saints, it seems it is Patrick who has been the most influential! St. Patrick's Day falls on March 17th, and is celebrated with lively festivities by Irish people around the world. There are some truly ferocious street parties in Dublin, but it doesn't stop there ‚¬€ from Land's End in Cornwall to the Hotel Dunkeld in the Scottish Highlands, mainland Britain seems to pay more attention to St. Patrick's Day, than to its own patron saints. Perhaps more surprisingly, there are more people in US cities such as Boston and New York who identify with Irish heritage, than there are actually people in Ireland! Celebrations of St. Patrick's Day tend to involve song, dance, traditional Irish food and, almost invariably, copious amounts of Guinness.
