Celebrations for St Patrick’s Day have taken place on 17th March since 1810 in Australia.
It all started when the then Governor, Lachlan Macquarie, declared the date an official day of celebration for the Irish and those of Irish heritage. More than 200 years later the celebrations are still being held Sydney and HOW!
St Who?
St Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland and is the person who is celebrated worldwide on Ireland’s national day. Ok, he wasn’t born Irish but he has become an integral part of the Irish heritage. His services across Ireland in the 5th century are said to have brought religion to the country. Legend also has it that St Patrick used a shamrock in his preaching to explain the Holy Trinity and that he was responsible for banishing all the snakes from Ireland. – Pretty cool guy eh!
Celebrations in Sydney
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many different ways. Sydney celebrates in the same way as everyone else on the planet does on this famous day… The pubs and bars go full out and celebrate until the late hours. Most of them have live Irish music and the will celebrate until the late hours of the day, and of course there’s lot’s of green clothing!
The more sensible celebrations.
If the Mardi Gras parade wasn’t quite enough for you, and your love of parades is everlasting… Come and join the Irish culture enthusiasts in the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade normally starts at noon at the corner of Bathurst and George streets and lasts about one hour. The parade showcases both the best of street performance and Irish culture.
In Hyde park the family day normally starts at one o’clock. In Hyde Park you can find live modern Irish music performances, food and stalls. St Patrick’s Day is a lot of fun and this is a celebration that cannot be missed.
The photos in this article are of St Patricks day celebrations held in Sydney in 2012 (what a day!)
Come and stay with us at Nomads Westend Backpackers hostel, Sydney and we’ll tell you all about all the fantastic parades and celebrations held in Sydney annually.
Become our friend or follow our tweets!
