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After he died on March 17, , Patrick was largely forgotten. But slowly, mythology grew around Patrick, and centuries later he was honored as the patron saint of Ireland, Freeman noted. Related: "St. According to St. Patrick's Day lore, Patrick used the three leaves of a shamrock to explain the Christian holy trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Today, St. Patrick's Day revelers wear a shamrock out of tradition. But people in Ireland hoping to wear an authentic shamrock are running low on luck. Trifolium dubium, the wild-growing, three-leaf clover that some botanists consider the official shamrock, is an annual plant that germinates in the spring. Recently, Ireland has had two harsh winters, affecting the plant's growth.

Other experts pin the shortage of the traditional plant as much on modern farming methods and loss of traditional hay meadows. To make up for the shortfall, many sellers are resorting to other three-leaf clovers, such as the perennials Trifolium repens and Medicago lupulina.

According to the Irish Times, these plants are "bogus shamrocks. Trinity College's Parnell agreed that Trifolium dubium is the most commonly used shamrock today, which lends credence to the claims of authenticity.

However, he added, the custom of wearing a shamrock dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, and "I know of no evidence to say what people then used. I think the argument on authenticity is purely academic—basically I'd guess they used anything cloverlike then.

What's more, botanists say there's nothing uniquely Irish about shamrocks. Most clover species can be found throughout Europe. Another St. Patrick myth is the claim that he banished snakes from Ireland. It's true no snakes exist on the island today, Freeman said—but they never did. Ireland, after all, is surrounded by icy ocean waters—much too cold to allow snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else.

Since snakes often represent evil in literature, "when Patrick drives the snakes out of Ireland, it is symbolically saying he drove the old, evil, pagan ways out of Ireland [and] brought in a new age," Freeman said. The snake myth, the shamrock story, and other tales were likely spread by well-meaning monks centuries after St. Patrick's death, Freeman said. Until the s, St. Patrick's Day in Ireland was a minor religious holiday.

A priest would acknowledge the feast day, and families would celebrate with a big meal, but that was about it. Irish-American history expert Timothy Meagher said Irish charitable organizations originally celebrated St. Eighteenth-century Irish soldiers fighting with the British in the U. Revolutionary War held the first St. Patrick's Day parades.

Some soldiers, for example, marched through New York City in to reconnect with their Irish roots. Other parades followed in the years and decades after, including well-known celebrations in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago, primarily in flourishing Irish immigrant communities. Sometime in the 19th century, as St.

Patrick's Day parades were flourishing, wearing the color green became a show of commitment to Ireland, Meagher said. In the show of solidarity took a spectacular turn in Chicago when the city decided to dye a portion of the Chicago River green. The tradition started when parade organizer Steve Bailey, head of a plumbers' union, noticed how a dye used to trace possible sources of river pollution had stained a colleague's overalls a brilliant green, according to greenchicagoriver.

Why not use the dye to turn the whole river green on St. Patrick's Day, Bailey thought. So began the tradition. The environmental impact of the dye is minimal compared with pollution such as bacteria from sewage-treatment plants, said Margaret Frisbie, the executive director of the advocacy group Friends of the Chicago River.

Rather than advising against the dye, her group focuses on turning the Chicago River into a welcoming habitat full of fish, herons, turtles, and beavers. If the river becomes a wildlife haven, the thinking goes, Chicagoans won't want to dye their river green. Patrick's Day different ways," she said. On any given day 5. But on St. Patrick's Day, that number more than doubles to 13 million pints, said Beth Davies Ryan, global corporate-relations director of Guinness. Today, the U. Patrick's Day parades, packed pubs, and green silliness has invaded Ireland with full force, said Freeman, the classics professor.

The country, he noted, figured out that the popularity of St. Patrick's Day was a good way to boost spring tourism. Get National Geographic Traveler magazine's list of the best hotels in Ireland. All rights reserved. Who Was the Man Behind St. Patrick's Day? Paddy's celebration. For registration and more information, visit www. Patty's Pub Crawl Eager to start your St. Patrick's celebrations this year? Patty's Pub Crawl. The crawl lasts from 11am—11pm. In the spirit of green, dress green and think green by picking up your reusable St.

Patty's Pub Crawl mug at the beginning of the crawl. Tickets can be purchased at Sluggers N Clark St, or online at www. Green attire not required unless you tend to lean toward the green. Ontario, Need a designated driver? On March 12, 10am—6pm and March 17 2—10pm , the Miller Lite Free Ride program teams with the Chicago Transit Authority, sponsor bars and restaurants and community safety organizations to provide free shuttle rides between St.

Paddy festivities. Greening the Chicago River Heading downtown for the parade? You may want to stop by the Michigan Avenue bridge prior to the parade to watch the Chicago River turn green. On Saturday, March 12, the tradition of coloring the river begins at 10am. The Chicago River was first dyed green in and quickly became a popular pre-parade event.

You'll want to head to the river early, the ecofriendly dye lasts only a few hours. Randolph, Special tribute will be paid to the "Soldiers of Fortune," who fought alongside Chileans and Mexicans in liberating their countries from Spain.

Wednesday, March 16, —10pm. Hubbard, March 12th. March 11thth. Tunes continue on March 17th with a performance by Baal Tinne. Irish east load the menu and include favorites like curry chips, Guinness beef stew, Shephard's pie and fish n' chips. Don't forget the Irish whiskey, it's a staple at this classic Celtic joint.

Trump Tower Skyboxes Skybox seating on Trump Tower's 17th floor can be reserved for front-row luxury viewing for the greening of the river and St. Patrick's Parade. Wake and Shake Can wait to get your drink on? Drink specials will run throughout the weekend. Limited ticket sales. Featured whiskeys include Redbreast 12 year triple pot-distilled single malt, Powers 12 year blend, and Knappogue Castle 12 year triple distilled single malt.