Auburn students gear up to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

A Reason to Celebrate

With spring break memories still at the top of Auburn students’ minds, this week holds another day to celebrate, St. Patrick’s Day. This year’s St. Patrick Day falls on Friday, March 17, giving Auburn students the opportunity to celebrate the start to the weekend.

The History of St. Patrick’s Day

While St. Patrick’s Day is definitely a reason to party for many Americans and Auburn students, many may not know the history behind this celebration. The day was a solely religious holiday in Ireland, where Irish families attended church and memorized the missionary acts of their national patron.

Irish immigrants and soldiers brought the holiday to America. They started to celebrate the religious holiday and honor Saint Patrick in remembrance of their home country. Their patriotism and enthusiasm soon infected the American population and St. Patrick’s Day became a celebration of the whole Irish culture in the U.S.

Celebrating in Auburn

Auburn is no exception to the celebration. Downtown bars and restaurants offer specialty items, all themed around Ireland’s national color green. Auburn students are looking forward to the celebration.

“I plan on going out. I’m looking forward to everyone wearing green and celebrating something similar. That’s kind of fun and doesn’t happen a lot,” said Stephanie Linid, junior in finance.

Even students that don’t plan on staying in Auburn got caught by the St. Patrick’s fever.

“I’m going home to help at a dance competition, so I guess that’s not really St. Patrick’s Day, but I got my nails green,” said Amelia Dennis, sophomore in social science education.

Dennis said that she still expects to see a lot of green and St. Patrick’s Day themed decorations.

“To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day I’m going to eat some meat because normally Catholics during lent can’t eat meat on Fridays”, said Connor Bergeron, sophomore in exercise science.

“Since it’s a feast day, it’s a Saint’s feast day, the Archbishop gives a dispensation so we can eat meat on St. Patrick’s Day so that’s how I’m going to celebrate”, Bergeron said.

A Taste of Ireland

Auburn students will have the opportunity to get a taste of Ireland on the Plains this St. Patrick’s Day.

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Credit: The Plainsman

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