The spread of St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the U.S. was a way for Irish immigrant communities, who in the 19th century faced discrimination and opposition, to stake that ground, he says: “It’s a kind of immigrant Irish way of combating nativist antagonism against them.”

While St. Patrick’s Day festivities have strayed from their saintly origins, and are now marked by green-dyed food, parades and leprechauns, the holiday remains tied to St. Patr

Over the years, St Patrick’s Day has become synonymous with parades, shamrocks, and drinking, but for a long time it was a solemn religious holiday - and the sale of alcohol was banned