Lighting up the library for St. Patrick's Day
After sunset on the evening on Monday 17 March 2025 the outside of the Library of Birmingham will be lit up green as part of Birmingham’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Saint Patrick's Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on the traditional anniversary of the death of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It celebrates Irish heritage and culture with public parades, festivals, céilithe, and the wearing of green clothes or shamrocks.
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival. Modern celebrations have been significantly shaped by those of Irish communities living abroad, especially in North America.
More about Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Legend says he was born in Britain and captured as a teenager by Irish raiders who took him to Ireland as a slave.
During his time in captivity, Patrick found solace in his faith. He prayed a lot and became deeply religious. After six years, he managed to escape and returned to his family in Britain.
Later, Patrick had a vision where he felt called by God to return to Ireland as a missionary, to spread Christianity to the Irish people. He went back to Ireland and began preaching the Christian message, using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the Irish people.
Legend says he performed many miracles, such as driving snakes out of Ireland. He travelled throughout the country, establishing churches, schools, and monasteries.
St. Patrick is famous for banishing all snakes from Ireland. This is likely a metaphor for driving out pagan practices rather than actual snakes.
Eventually, he became beloved by the Irish people and is remembered as the one who brought Christianity to Ireland.