The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL AND BELIEFS

SAINT PATRICK DERTA GEROGADE E FRANC OR ALBAN. THAT MEANS SAINT
PATRICK CAME FROM FRANCE OR ENGLAND. WE WERE TAUGHT THAT EXPRESSION
AS CHILDREN. HE WAS SENT BY POPE CELESTINE TO BRING THE CATHOLIC
FAITH TO IRELAND. HE KILLED ALL THE SNAKES IN IRELAND BY SQUASHING
THEM WITH HIS STAFF. HE DIDN'T REALLY EXIST THOUGH. WE WOULD
CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IN ENGLAND BY WEARING ALL GREEN.

Submitter comment:

"SPELLMAN, BURKE, AND I WOULD GO OUT FOR A WALK IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE
WE HAD NO MONEY AND WE DIDN'T WANT THOSE DAMN ENGLISH TO THINK WE
WERE STAYING HOME ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY."

MY MOTHER, WHO IS FROM IRELAND, WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL IN ENGLAND IN
1947. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Celebrate ; Green ; holiday ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Saint Patrick's Day ; Tale

Subject headings:

PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 11-22-1979