NI Connections

Ah, St Patrick's Day - that time of year when everyone, no matter where they are in the world, tries to don a bit of green and celebrate our patron saint.  

But let's be honest, nowhere does it quite like back home in Northern Ireland.  

Sure, the parades in Manhattan are flashier than ours. Chicago dyes their river green, Singapore hosts an annual St Patrick’s Day Ball, and the small Caribbean Island of Montserrat hosts a vibrant festival for ten whole days.  

 But our celebrations?  
 
Well, they're a bit more understated, a tad more genuine, and that's precisely why we love them.  

So, for all you Northern Irish expats out there feeling a wee bit homesick this March, here are six things you'll definitely miss about celebrating St Patrick's Day on home turf. 

First and foremost, the best part of St Patrick's Day has to be the day off. Whether you're big on celebrating or not, who doesn't love a day off work?  

It's a chance to relax, celebrate, or just enjoy a day to yourself. A wee break from the daily grind - thanks Saint P! 

2. There Are No Snakes Thanks to the Big Man 

Northern Ireland is a gloriously snake-free zone, and legend has it that it’s all down to the work of St Patrick in the fifth century. 
 
We know what you’re thinking. How do we know that reptiles ever existed on the Emerald Isle? But whether we had snakes or not doesn't really matter – the point is there are none here now, ok?  So, you can enjoy a hike through our beautiful landscapes without worrying about slithery surprises.  

Sorry, Australia, but the wildlife over here is a bit more chilled out, so that's a win for us.  

3. You Won't Hear About Saint "Patty" 

It's "St Patrick's Day" or "Paddy's Day." We don't do "Patty." Save that for your burgers, American friends. This might be a minor gripe, but it's our gripe, and you'll miss not having to correct someone on March 17th. 

4. Nobody Offers You Cabbage and Corned Beef 

While we're sorting things out, let's get this straight: cabbage and corned beef is not a thing back home. It's an American invention. So, you won't find it on any menus, and nobody's going to ask you for your granny's traditional recipe.  

What you will find here is stew, a solid fry-up after your lie-in, and maybe a traditional Irish pizza or kebab from the pub on the way home.  

5. Proper Pints 

Speaking of pubs, nothing beats a proper pint of Guinness. In honour of everyone’s favourite patron saint, it’s estimated that around 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed around the world. 

But you can forget the weird green dye or the massive heads on your beer. At home, it's just the good stuff, poured the way it's meant to be. 

6. Actual St Patrick Stuff! 

Lastly, and most importantly, we've got the real St Patrick-related sites on our doorstep. From his Saul Church and burial site at Down Cathedral, to the St Patrick Centre.  

There's Slemish Mountain, where St Patrick spent his youth, and it's a tradition for folks in the Ballymena area to hike up on March 17th.  

Or you could follow the St Patrick's Trail and visit all the significant historical sites dedicated to the man himself. 

If this blog has tipped you over the edge and you’ve booked yourself a spontaneous flight home just in time to celebrate Paddy’s Day in the motherland, we can only apologise.  
 
But also, you won’t regret it. So, you’re welcome?  
 
For those of you who stayed strong, we hope you enjoy the green celebrations wherever you are in the world.  
 
As always, we’d love to hear if there’s anything you would add to our list. What do you miss most about St Patrick’s Day at home?