St Patrick’s Day ideas: 6 ways to celebrate St Paddy’s Day in lockdown
ST PATRICK'S DAY has arrived once again, the special day of the year which honours the Republic of Ireland's patron saint with celebrations and all things green. Here's how you can celebrate in lockdown.
Kate Middleton and William wish everyone a happy St Patrick's Day
St Patrick’s Day falls on March 17 in 2021, and unfortunately the huge Irish celebration is in lockdown for the second year running. The special day honours St Patrick, Ireland’s primary patron saint and typically involves plenty of great food, free-flowing drinks, traditional music, and fun with loved ones.
The day’s roots are traced back to the fourth and fifth century, and are strongly linked to Christianity, but the national holiday has taken a life of its own, with the Irish (and people all around the world) celebrating the day in a variety of ways.
Unfortunately, lockdown restrictions across the UK means that those who wish to celebrate will have to do it slightly differently, but the pandemic doesn’t mean the holiday is completely cancelled.
If you’re looking for a way to safely celebrate and don your green, these are some ways you can enjoy the Irish holiday from the comfort of your own home.
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Host an Irish Quiz
If you have older children, why not design a quiz based on all things Ireland?! (Or better yet wait until they go to bed and enjoy one on zoom with your friends). How about these five rounds?
Picture round- famous Irish Landmarks or famous faces
Music Round- Song name and artist of famous Irish musicians
Geography- questions based on towns, cities and landmarks in Ireland.
Translation round- Match Gaelic phrases with their English translation
Film Round- give clues about Films based in Ireland
Watch the National St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Ireland’s very own festival, which runs from March 12 to March 17 is moving online.
While this might not be ideal for the locals who look forward to this huge annual event, it does mean that those around the world can get a chance to experience how the patron saint’s country celebrates.
The event will have everything from musical acts to theatre performances and poetry.
The end of the festival will be commemorated with a virtual parade featuring the typical pageantry and marching band performances. And those wanting to participate can do so from the comfort of their own home, in full St. Patrick gear, of course.
Go overboard on the green!
St. Patrick’s Day is a day of fun, so why not go OTT with the green?!
Buy some green face paints, don your best green clothes, shower the house in green decorations, eat green food and drink green drinks!
St Patrick’s Day arts and crafts
An easy way to keep the kids entertained is through arts and crafts. Some great options would be:
Make some easy green paper chains
Make a toilet roll leprauchaun
Handprint shamrocks
St. Patrick’s Day treasure hunt
Ask the kids to find green items around the home
Hide chocolate coins around the house and garden and let your children be the leprechauns who hunt and find the gold!
Photo treasure hunts; children must take photos of something green/something with a rainbow/something gold/a four leaf clover?
St. Patrick’s Day party games
Pin the four-leaf clover on the leprauchaun
Pot O’Gold coin toss
Sweetie sort
Grab a few bags of skittles, smarties, jelly babies or other sweets which include green ones! Share them out equally in piles in front of each player.
Use either a straw or chopsticks to pick out the green sweets. First one to finish wins!
Enjoy some Irish Music
Ireland is a country known for its incredible music, so whack some on the speakers.
Be it the more traditional celtic stuff, or a Spotify playlist of Boyzone and Westlife’s greatest hits, you’re bound to have a cracking time.