20 St. Patrick’s Day Traditions That Will Bring You Luck—Or Just a Whole Lot of Fun

“Letting the devil out” of Irish soda bread

There are many variations of Irish soda bread in America, but the traditional Irish version calls for just four ingredients: flour (often whole-meal flour), baking soda (called “bread soda” in Ireland), buttermilk and salt. Historically, this recipe could be made by anyone, thanks to the readily available ingredients and because it could be cooked in a cast-iron pot over a flame instead of in an oven, which most people didn’t have back in the day.

But for the bread to be lucky, you have to cut a cross on the top “to let the devil out” (as well as to release steam during cooking), a superstition held by both the Irish and Irish Americans. “In both Christian and pagan traditions, the cross is meant to ward off the devil and protect the household,” Kinealy explains. “But the baking of soda bread was not really a custom until the late 1800s.”

Wearing green

One of the luckiest St. Patrick’s Day traditions is super simple: Just don the color green! The hue symbolizes Ireland’s lush landscape, and it’s why the Chicago River turns green on St. Patrick’s Day too. “Ireland itself is even known as the ‘Green Isle’ or the ‘Emerald Isle,’” Kinealy says.

But Americans might be surprised to learn that the color also has a political history. “The wearing of green was a political and cultural identity movement in Ireland, and a stand against [British] colonialism,” Kinealy explains. The Irish ballad “Wearing of the Green” laments the unsuccessful rebel uprising of 1798, and the color remained symbolic for Irish nationalism leading up to the country’s independence in 1922. “In the Irish flag, which was first brought to Ireland in 1848, the green in the tricolor represents Catholics,” Kinealy says.

And if you’re leaning into the tradition, you can have a little fun with it too, whether that means pulling on your favorite green sweater or topping things off with a DIY leprechaun hat for an extra festive touch.

Pinching those not wearing green

Legend has it that leprechauns can’t see you if you’re wearing the verdant color—and that if they do see you, they will pinch you! Likewise, tradition says you can pinch someone on St. Patrick’s Day who isn’t wearing green, but this may be more an Americanization than a true Irish custom. In fact, in Irish folklore, leprechauns originally wore red.

“Pinching those not wearing green appears to be an American invention,” says Kinealy. That said, you may want to make sure you’re protected by wearing something green.

Kissing someone who’s Irish

No doubt, you’ve heard the phrase “Kiss me, I’m Irish”—or at least seen it on a T-shirt. Where did this tradition come from? Although there appears to be no definitive source, the prevailing theory is that it refers to kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland—so kissing an Irish person is the next best thing.

But although modern Americans might consider the Irish lucky, that may not be historically accurate. “The saying ‘the luck of the Irish’ is not of Irish origin—knowing the history, Ireland was typically unlucky,” Kinealy says. “In addition to the Great Hunger, the Irish poor witnessed many periods of starvation. When they immigrated [to America], they were discriminated against, and there were many stereotypes surrounding them.”

Still, Irish pride (or Irish American pride) may rub off on you on St. Paddy’s Day, no matter your heritage.

“Drowning the shamrock”

One of the most famous good-luck charms is the shamrock. Legend has it that the good luck of this three-leaved plant began when it was a revered pagan symbol. The missionary Saint Patrick is said to have later used its three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans (whether he actually did so is up for debate). Today, however, the shamrock (especially the elusive four-leaf clover) remains a secular token of good fortune.

In Ireland, it’s considered lucky to “drown” the shamrock. “Traditionally, the shamrock was dunked into a glass of whiskey, the whiskey was then drunk and the shamrock at the bottom of the glass thrown over the drinker’s left shoulder,” Kinealy says. “Allegedly, it was St. Patrick himself who first dunked the shamrock in the glass of whiskey, after wearing it during his feast day—but this is highly unlikely, as he died before the day was celebrated.”

Joining a St. Patrick’s Day dash

Who would have thought that running a race would become a St. Patrick’s Day tradition? Held on or around March 17, these festive events range from competitive 5Ks and half marathons to laid-back fun runs and family-friendly walks—so everyone, kids included, can join in.

From big cities, including Boston and Chicago, to small towns across the country, St. Patrick’s Day races have become annual gatherings that bring communities together. Decked out in shamrocks, tutus and leprechaun hats, participants turn the streets into a sea of green and often raise money for local charities.

Putting up St. Patrick’s Day decorations

Like any other holiday, St. Patrick’s Day deserves to be celebrated with festive decor. Think: shamrock banners, Irish flags, pops of gold and, of course, lots and lots of green! Sure, there are plenty of options to buy online, but it’s easy—and fun—to make some decorations yourself, especially when wee ones are involved. Kids can make DIY decorations with garland and glitter, design a leprechaun-inspired costume or craft handmade accessories to wear to celebrations and parades. It’s a fun, hands-on way to add some personality to your celebration … and make a few core memories along the way.

Baking St. Patrick’s Day treats

Make it a family tradition to whip up green cupcakes, cookies or brownies, then decorate them with four-leaf clovers or green and gold sprinkles. You can even make your own Shamrock Shake or Oreo Shamrock McFlurry with some minty ice cream, Oreos and whipped cream. Trust us: Whatever you choose will be creative, Instagram-worthy and guaranteed to disappear fast once it hits the table.

Sharing Irish blessings

“May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.” This is just one of the many Irish blessings to read and share on the big day. These insightful quotes, which date back to Celtic times, have been cherished for centuries and really make you think. They also make great toasts for your big night out, and while you’re at it, these St. Patrick’s Day jokes and puns will really get the Paddy started!

Learning Irish dances

Learn an Irish jig this year, and showing off your moves will be a St. Patrick’s Day tradition for years to come! If you watch the St. Patrick’s Day parade, you’re sure to see this type of dancing, where dancers point their toes out, hop up and bring their right leg up to their left knee (and vice versa).

Irish dances may have originated from an “Irish Clan marching tune,” and Irish dancing may have ties to early forms of Celtic dance. “Celts were also said to have danced clockwise in circles on happy occasions and anti-clockwise when mourning,” according to Celtic Steps. “They often included movements which involved repeated tapping of the feet on one spot.”

Watching Irish movies

If the couch is more your speed on St. Patrick’s Day, there’s a bevy of Irish movies worth your while. We’re talking award winners (In the Name of the Father and My Left Foot), deep dives into history (Hunger and The Wind That Shakes the Barley) and lighter fare (The Commitments and Sing Street). And there’s plenty for kids too! You’ll also notice some of your favorite Irish actors popping up again and again in these films, including Daniel Day-Lewis, Cillian Murphy, Jamie Dornan, Colin Farrell and Liam Neeson. Their performances—and the stories they tell—will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Looking for leprechauns

“Catching leprechauns is more challenging than you think!” writes blogger Zina of Let’s Lasso the Moon in her blog post about, yes, catching leprechauns. Kids can make their very own leprechaun traps using a cardboard box and random art supplies found at home. Create a small pot of “gold” using chocolate coins, DIY a rainbow, then add glitter glue, a makeshift trip wire with sticky tape and whatever else you can think of to trap that tricky leprechaun!

Finding a pot of gold

Kids will especially love this St. Patrick’s Day tradition: going on a thrilling quest to find their very own pot of gold! Legend has it that the mischievous leprechauns hid the treasure at the end of the rainbow where it touches the Earth. You can easily recreate the excitement with a treasure hunt by using chocolate coins or even lottery tickets, Irish potatoes or any other treats that will make your family feel lucky when they’re discovered.

Noshing on Irish potatoes

Irish potatoes are a time-honored Philadelphia tradition that has been spreading joy for more than a century. Even if you’re not in Philly, you can enjoy these delightful candy spuds made with coconut cream and coated with cinnamon. You’ll typically find them in candy stores, gift shops and supermarkets during the holiday. While the exact history behind their creation isn’t known, some have guessed that they’re meant to commemorate the Irish Potato Famine, which lasted from 1845 to 1851.

Looking for four-leaf clovers

Shamrocks, which have three leaves, and the more elusive four-leaf clover may both be good-luck symbols, but they are not the same thing. “Biologically speaking, four-leaf clovers are extremely rare—usually they only have three clovers, and a fourth clover is a mutation,” says Kinealy. “There are likely 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover.”

As Scientific American explains, using those odds, you’d need to scan a clover field of about 13 square feet to find one four-leaf clover—totally doable! And instead of counting each leaf, try scanning the clovers quickly: Your brain will be able to notice deviations in the pattern you see. Give it a try and incorporate it into your St. Patrick’s Day traditions: If you manage to find one, you’ll feel super lucky!

Attending a St. Patrick’s Day parade

Seeing bagpipers marching past a crowd wearing green and waving mini Irish flags seems like one of the most quintessential St. Patrick’s Day traditions for those lucky enough to experience it. However, this is another tradition that actually originated in the United States—or, rather, the American Colonies.

One of the first St. Patrick’s Day parades is thought to have taken place in New York City in 1762, among Irish soldiers serving in the British army before the Revolutionary War. Later, when Irish immigrants who had flocked to the U.S. during the Great Famine in the 19th century were discriminated against in their new home, they used the parades to encourage and support pride in their heritage and culture.

The American St. Paddy’s celebrations were a way for the Irish diaspora to connect with their homeland, even for subsequent generations who had never been there.

Not eating green food

Dyeing food (or beer or anything else) green is one example of how St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world. But green food dye isn’t a St. Patrick’s Day tradition in Ireland, because green food has some decidedly unlucky associations in the country’s history.

“Green food is not an Irish tradition, possibly due to the historical trauma of the Great Famine, when Irish folk literally had no choice but to eat grass in an attempt to survive, then would often die of starvation with green-colored mouths from eating grass,” Kinealy says. “American celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day likely use green food and drink to celebrate the ‘greenness’ of Ireland—i.e., the Emerald Isle.” So maybe forget the green beer—if you want to imbibe the Irish way, sample some Guinness instead.

Staying sober

St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland is not traditionally the raucous celebration it is in America—and it might bring you better fortune (and save you from a hangover) if you don’t use the holiday to overindulge. St. Patrick’s Day falls during Lent, a religious season of sacrifice, although the rules were traditionally relaxed for this feast day. Up until the 1970s, however, pubs were closed in Ireland on St. Paddy’s Day, and celebrations usually included a trip to church.

So how, and where, did St. Patrick’s Day become a drinking holiday? Right here in the USA, with Irish American celebrations, which soon came to perpetuate the stereotype of the “drunken Irish.” Then, in a strange reversal of tradition, the Irish government was actually inspired by American celebrations to create a multi-day St. Patrick’s festival in 1995 to boost tourism.

But not everyone is happy about the associations between St. Patrick’s Day and drinking. “There is a large movement to stop associating the day and the Irish with drinking—and now a number of ‘sober’ parades,” Kinealy says.

Eating Irish bacon

Although there might be nothing that seems more Irish than eating corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, this meal is actually not an Irish tradition at all. Corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day is an American adaptation. In Ireland of yore, it would have been unlucky to kill cows, which were mainly used for dairy.

“In Gaelic Ireland, cattle were symbols of the wealthy and were only killed when they were too old or were no longer able to produce milk,” Kinealy says. “There were more pigs kept in Ireland than cows, so more pork and bacon were consumed than beef.”

On St. Patrick’s Day, cured pork (Irish bacon) was more likely to be eaten in Ireland. So, how did the corned beef association come about? Irish immigrants in America may have adopted the meal from their Jewish neighbors.

Wearing blue for historical accuracy

Instead of green, you could also celebrate Ireland by wearing blue, the background color of the first coat of arms when the Kingdom of Ireland was created by England’s King Henry VIII. The hue also has earlier links to a figure in Irish mythology, Flaitheas Éireann, who wore blue. Early images of St. Patrick show him wearing blue; later, the Order of St. Patrick knighthood also wore blue.

Even today, “the national color of Ireland is blue—St. Patrick’s Blue,” Kinealy says. The color appears on the Constitution of Ireland and the Presidential Standard flag, as in the old coat of arms: a golden harp on a dark blue background.

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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on St. Patrick’s Day traditions, Tina Donvito tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who covers history, traditions, travel and entertainment for Reader’s Digest. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Christine Kinealy, PhD, director of Ireland’s Great Hunger Institute
• Scientific American: “How Science Can Help You Find a 4-Leaf Clover”
• NPR: “The Dark History of Eating Green on St. Patrick’s Day”
• Scientific American: “Should We Be Wearing Blue on St. Patrick’s Day?”
• Let’s Lasso the Moon: “Catching Leprechauns: An Annual St. Patrick’s Day Tradition”
• Eater: “What Is Irish Potato Candy?”
• Celtic Titles: “The Irish Blessing (including 7 of our favourites!)”