St Patricks Day

St Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland, and this day is celebrated all over the world. Typically, parades are held in many cities in Ireland. As well as this, it has been a tradition since 1962 that the Chicago River is dyed green to celebrate this special day! 

Here are a few ways that you can celebrate St Patrick’s Day at home. 

Try a traditional Irish recipe 

There are many tasty traditional Irish foods that you can try, such as an Irish stew. Here is a recipe for a simple soda bread to test out. 

You will need: 

• 250g wholemeal flour (plain)
• 250g plain flour
• 25g butter
• 100g porridge oats
• 500ml buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 teaspoon of salt 
  

Method: 

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.  
• Add the butter. Then, quickly add the buttermilk, mixing it quickly with a knife.  
• Dust your baking sheet with flour.  

• Knead your dough in a loaf shape, and score a cross on top.  
• Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes.  
• Take out of the oven, turn the bread upside down on the tray and bake for a few minutes longer.  
• Once done, leave to cool before eating.  

Wear green 

A St Patrick’s Day tradition is to wear green clothes. This came from an old superstition that if you were not wearing the colour which features on the Irish flag, a leprechaun would pinch you! 

Watch a parade 

Many cities host a St Patrick’s Day parade. If you can’t get to one, there is footage online of them that you could watch with your child.