Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2016!

The Costen & Associates Team would like to wish you and yours a Happy St.Patrick’s Day!

 

St. Patrick’s Day is both a cultural and religious holiday, celebrated annually on March 17th. The day celebrates Saint Patrick, a missionary and patron saint of Ireland, who died on March 17th in the 5th century. The day also celebrates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and the heritage and culture of Ireland.

 

St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in the Replublic of Ireland, North Ireland, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Montserrat. The day is also widely celebrated throughout the world, especially in Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.

 

Parades and festivals are held in celebration, and many Christians attend Church, with Lenten restrictions on food and drink being lifted for the day. There is also a tradition for those who celebrate to wear green and display shamrocks.

 

The first official festival in Ireland was held on March 17, 1996. The following year it was a 3 day event, extending to a 4 day event in 2000 and a 5 day event by 2006. Festivals and parades are held in Dublin and many other cities, towns and villages.

 

In Canada, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated since 1759, initially by Irish soldiers. The largest and longest running parade in Canada has taken place in Montreal since 1824. The city of Montreal also has a shamrock included in their flag.

 

In 2009, the Calgary Tower changed its top exterior lights to green bulbs in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

 

If you are looking for a way to celebrate, Calgary has MANY Irish bars who are sure to be serving green beer and great food, including Jamesons Irish Pub, Ceili’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, and Kilkenny Irish Pub. Even our wonderful neighbours at the #264 Kensington Legion host an annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner and dance!

 

We hope your St. Patrick’s Day is full of luck, rainbows, and maybe even a pot of gold!

The Costen & Associates Team