DUBLIN (or Anywhere With a Bar) – Once a solemn feast to honor Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick’s Day has officially been rebranded as The Olympics of Beer Drinking. Historians confirm that this transformation happened thanks to one key religious loophole: Lent’s "cheat day" policy. St. Patrick's Day this year coincides with Lenten Friday, when Catholics traditionally abstain from meat. But after several dioceses across the United States granted dispensations, some Catholics For Catholics all across America, March 17, the feast of the 5th-century Welshman credited with the conversion of Ireland, is a day of special celebration. But St. Patrick’s Day this year falls on a Friday in Lent — a day when Catholics are meant to observe a day of penance. More St. Patrick's Day food specials and deals. Applebee’s: Back on the limited-time menu at the restaurants are Saintly Sips Cocktails including the $6 Tipsy Leprechaun made with Jameson Irish Why People Drink on Saint Patrick’s Day The St. Patrick’s Day tradition began as a feast day held in honor of St. Patrick on the anniversary of the day he died. Christians are allowed to put aside their Lenten restrictions on food and alcohol consumption on this day, which is why excessive drinking has become so permanently linked to the Can you drink on St Patrick's Day during Lent? The Christian season of abstinence generally calls for practicing Catholics not to eat meat on Fridays, but for those looking forward to their St Patrick's Day full Irish breakfast and corned beef and cabbage dinner, this can call for a crisis of conscience. The beginning of March launches the first of several holidays and traditions with Roman Catholic roots: Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lent and St. Patrick’s Day. While they date back centuries Saint Patrick’s Day is tomorrow. The holiday celebrating Irish culture is held annually on March 17th, and commemorates the patron saint of Ireland. Traditionally, Christians who were fasting for 40 days during the period of Lent had their eating and drinking restrictions lifted on Saint Patrick’s Day, allowing for feasts and for alcohol consumption. In the U.S., the National Retail ☘️ Where Does St. Patrick’s Day Fit In? St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th, falls squarely within Lent nearly every year.But here’s where it gets interesting: because St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, his feast day is officially recognized in the Catholic liturgical calendar — which often makes it an exception to the rule. St. Patrick’s Day is a convivial holiday celebrating the Irish saint. Its celebration now extends so far beyond Ireland and its people that you’ll hear some say everyone’s a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. While people of all ages celebrate the holiday, it’s mainly a day when cocktails take center stage. Join us for our 20th St. Patrick's Day celebration at the pub! The party starts on Saturday, March 15, and continues late into the night on Monday, March 17.SATURDAY, MARCH 15: Pub opens at 11 a.m. Bushmills Irish Whiskey reps on site for tastings and merch giveaways from 3-5 p.m. Steven Cromwell performs on the patio from 5-8 p.m.SUNDAY, MARCH 16: Pub opens at 10:30 a.m. Paul Anthony performs When Californian's and people around the world celebrate/observe holidays in March: Dates for Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lent and St. Patrick's Day Can You Break Lent on St. Patrick’s Day? St. Patrick’s Day is annually celebrated on March 17—this year, that date so happens to fall on a Friday during the season of Lent. As we mentioned before, Christians are expected to abstain from eating meat on Fridays. Different churches and different individual Christians reconcile fasting during Lent with feasting and drinking alcohol during St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day has long been associated with drinking — an Irish ditty from years gone by praises the 16th-century Council of Trent for requiring fasting from, in the local accent, “mate and not upon drink.” St. Patrick’s Day takes place during Lent. Historically, the Lent restrictions were lifted during that day, allowing people to consume whatever they wanted. 2. Why do people drink beer on St. Patrick’s Day? Beer has been brewed in Ireland for thousands of years, making it a popular choice for consumption during St. Patrick’s Day. 3. When It seems that no place or people on earth are immune from the activities, the frivolities, the food and drink that take place every March 17. The day is so highly regarded that during the season of Lent, if St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday (which happens about every six years) Catholic bishops in many dioceses lift the law mandating With St Patrick's Day 2025 falling during Lent, many Catholics are asking themselves if drinking on St Patrick's Day is considered breaking the rules or not. Drinking on St. Patrick's Day if you gave up alcohol for Lent. I've been having trouble finding a definitive answer. I've been told by some Catholics that Sunday is a "free" day during Lent, and I've also read that the church considers St. Patrick's day an exception for meat when it falls on a Friday. The tradition of drinking on St. Patrick’s Day is deeply rooted in the historical and cultural fabric of the celebration. Originally a Christian feast day, St. Patrick’s Day commemorates the saint’s death and was traditionally a pause in the Lenten season’s strictness.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |