St Patrick's Day, also traditionally known as the feast of Saint Patrick, is the celebration held on the 17th March which is the traditional death date of Saint Patrick himself. Saint Patrick himself was the Christian missionary and bishop who became to be known as the Patron Saint of Ireland.
When you look at the celebrations of St Patrick's Day in Ireland, and then compare them to the celebrations for the same cause that are happening in America, you will find it hard to believe that it is, in fact, an Irish celebration. While it is a tradition to wear green, to drink Guinness, and to represent everything that is Irish, the Americans have adapted this as their own and have made the party so much bigger and so much better than it is in the country that it originates from. There is perhaps no better place to celebrate this day than in New York City, so put on your greenest outfit and make your way to The Big Apple.
First and foremost is the St Patrick's Day parade that marches along Fifth Avenue and passes St. Patrick's Cathedral and Central Park. The parade happens between 44th Street and 79th Street between 11.00am and 5.00pm on March 17th and features Irish music, dancing, costumes and floats.
Aside from the parade, New York has a large number of Irish Bars that will inevitably be celebrating on St Patrick's Day. After the end of the parade, make your way to your local for an Irish Ale and to celebrate in true New York Spirit. Close to the parade Route are Finnegan's Wake, Doc Watson's, The Perfect Pint and Paddy Maguire's Ale House, amongst a plethora of other locations.
There are other ways to celebrate other than drinking beer and watching the parade. Every year, chef Peter Berley runs a cooking class on how to put together seven traditional Irish dishes through the Institute of Culinary Education's pub-themed cooking class. There are also whiskey and beer cheese pairing classes taking part in Greenwich Village for those who wish to develop their rating palettes.
You can also take a tour of the Whiskey Distillers in Vinegar Hill that were once illegal in the time of President Ulysses S. Grant. The Whiskey distilleries are still in action, and, although very much now legalised, provide an interesting afternoon of information and culture relating to the history of the region as a whiskey producer.
The Irish Arts Centre puts on a show of traditional Irish dancing, craft, workshops and tea. They offer a multitude of different activities to include the entire audience, although it is also possible just to watch with a warm cup of tea for those less eager and wanting a more relaxing celebration.
Lastly, you can take a cruise on the Hudson River on a special St Patrick's Day tour which includes traditional Irish beer and cuisine with live music, all while you watch the iconic New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty drift past in style and finesse.