It’s that time of year again where we dust off our oversized Guinness hats and embark on a jubilant day of pint-drinking and folk-dancing! But what are the origins of the famous St. Patrick’s Day? And where is the best place to celebrate it in Sheffield? We give our guide on the history of the holiday and best places to celebrate.
St Patrick’s Day, March 17th, is the celebration of the Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, a fifth-century Romano-British Bishop and missionary who is commemorated for bringing the Christian religion to Ireland. Officially observed by the Catholic Church from the early seventeenth century, the day commemorates the anniversary of Saint Patrick’s death, and has since developed to become a more general celebration of Irish culture and history.
The green shamrock has come to symbolise Paddy’s Day as it is thought that Saint Patrick used the three-leaved Shamrock to explain the holy trinity: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The day is usually celebrated with traditional Irish customs such as folk-music, Irish dancing, and the drinking of Irish staples, such as Guinness and Jameson’s Whiskey.
The day became particularly ingrained in western culture from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, when Irish Catholics began emigrating to the UK and America in greater number to flee starvation amidst the Irish potato famine of 1848, generating distinct pockets of Irish communities. Since then, parades and other festivities have been used to celebrate Irish history and culture – lest it be forgotten in what were once turbulent times for the Irish people.
So, how can you celebrate Paddy’s Day in Sheffield this year? Luckily, Sheffield has lots to offer for locals and students alike!
If you’re a student looking for a big night out, you should look no further than the SU’s very own Paddy’s Day bash at the Foundry! Featuring non-stop Irish anthems, fancy dress and green drinks, the SU has your Friday night sorted. Meanwhile, on Thursday night CODE are running a North Vs Midlands Vs South Irish Bar crawl along West Street, before finishing up at CODE nightclub. Your ticket will include a Paddy’s Day t-shirt which allows you to rep the region that you’re from so that you can sing both yourself and Ireland proud. Alternatively, you could make your way to one of Sheffield’s most iconic venues, The Leadmill, for a festive and fun-filled Friday night. Featuring super cheap drinks and spacious dancefloors, the Leadmill always delivers on the big occasions.
If it’s not quite a club-night you’re after however, there are loads of authentic and bespoke pubs across Sheffield that will make you feel as though you’re in a real Irish Tavern! Fagan’s, an Irish Tavern recently purchased by Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, will be packed to the rafters with live Irish music and Guinness-galore. Located on Broad Lane in the city centre, the inner décor and warm friendly feel will have you thinking you’re in the centre of Dublin itself. Click here to get a taste of what it will be like inside.
If it’s more of a commercial and dance-oriented experience you’re after however, Molly Malone’s on West Street will no doubt be the place to be on West Street this Friday night. Featuring live music, Guinness hats and a sizeable dancefloor, Molly’s will continue an Irish feel-good actor well into the night.
For more of an all-day celebration, the Perch Brewhouse located on Garden Street will be a hive of activity all day delivering impeccable Paddy’s Day vibes. The Perch hosts an annual paddy’s day party under its infamous ‘big white tent’ where live Irish music will be playing all day with a massive bar to get your Guinness fix. Best of all – its free entry! Its doors open from 11am and there’ll be loads of locals celebrating in style right across the course of the day.
Meanwhile, to get your hands on a two-pinter of Guinness, the Nursery Tavern on Ecclesall Road will also be dishing out Guinness in both pint and two-pint sizes. Complimented by Irish anthems, baby Guinness and a large beer garden, the Tav will be bringing the Irish party to Eccy Road for Uni of and Sheffield Hallam students alike.
With lots to do in Sheffield, we hope you have an amazing Saint Patrick’s Day!
Photo credit: Elouisa Georgiou