It is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March. It is the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland.

Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is practised by the Lutheran Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion and Catholic Church. The day honors Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It also celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve cèilidhs, the wearing of green attire or shamrocks and public parades and festivals. Christians who belong to liturgical denominations also attend church services and historically. The Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol were lifted for the day. This has encouraged and propagated the tradition of holiday of alcohol consumption.