This is a great thread. It brings up some great discussion. I have the privilege of being of both Scottish (Dad’s side) and Irish (Mom’s side) descent and I celebrate and study both. I have found in my studies that the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day has developed from and Irish religious day to an American party day. However, if you study the history the reasons and its development (in the US) started as more political then religious and have broadened to a celebration of all things Irish. Now, as it has been said, many in the US are just out to Party and OK fine. Now it as has also been addressed in an earlier post the Irish have, in many places have adapted the US style celebration mostly for commercial reason.

Now the interesting thing is, as I read in the Scotsman newspaper last year, there is discussions and some planning in Scotland to move St. Andrews Day in the same directionfor the same reasons.