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International St. Patrick’s Day - How Ireland's national holiday is celebrated around the globe - SEE PHOTOS

From Norway to Japan the international community will be celebrating on March 17

BRYAN FITZGERALD,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, February 25, 2011, 7:33 AM

Updated Friday, February 25, 2011, 10:27 AM

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People take part in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Oslo

Photo by AFP/Getty Images

SEE PHOTO - St. Patrick's Day around the world

You better believe everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day. From Korea to St. Croix, from Oslo to Sydney on March 17, everyone celebrates the Irish.

Here's a look at some of the celebrations that will be taking place around the globe this year.

1.Montreal, Canada

Montreal has the oldest St Patrick’s Day Parade in North America dating back 1824. The celebration begins with a huge replica of St. Patrick leading the procession of floats, bands, community and cultural groups.

Some groups in Canada have even lobbied to make St. Patrick’s Day a national holiday. It has been celebrated in the city dating back to 1759, which marked the conquest of the Montreal Garrison by Irish soldiers.

2. Birmingham, England

Birmingham holds the largest parade in England and supposedly the world’s third largest behind New York and Dublin. The parade runs on a two mile route through the city’s center. It’s a very eclectic parade mirroring the city’s diverse culture including Dhol drummers and Samba drummers. More traditional fare like dancing schools and pipe and drum bands are also present.

3. Montserrat

St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday on the “Emerald Island of the Caribbean.” It’s nicknamed that because of all the Irish immigrants from St. Kitts and Nevis who founded the island.
St. Patrick’s Day on the island dates back a failed slave uprising in 1768, and even holds a commemoration of the event on March 17. The island flavor is incorporated into St. Patrick’s Day with parades calypso, soca, and iron band music.

4.St. Croix

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in St. Croix dates back to the first celebration of the holiday on the island in 1969. The initial parade entailed a piano on a flatbed truck along with revelers singing on the “float” and people looking on and waving along the improvised route.

There is a contest for the parade participants celebrating the spirit of the day by recognizing hest costume, youth group, most unique wheels, and the highly coveted best of the best.

5. Oslo, Norway

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Scrivner | Feb 25, 2011, 05:57 PM EST

Let us not forget that Chicago's St Pat's parade involves changning the color of the river to a fine emerald green (ironically, the dye pellets are orange until they hit the water). This will be the last parade for that son of Mayo, Lord Mayor Richard M. Daley. He decided not to run again, it's speculated that he wants to be nearer to his beloved Maggie in her hour of need.

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STUMPTOWN | Feb 25, 2011, 12:28 PM EST

AYE, A PROUD LUCKY GROUP WE ARE. EIRE GO BRA.

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joan1954 | Feb 25, 2011, 11:55 AM EST

San Antonio celebrates a more fornal St. Patrick's Day with solemn ceremonies honoring the men of Ireland and Irish America who died at the Alamo in 1836. A speech is given followed by pipes and echo taps. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas join with the Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas in this solemn event. The Irish have a long history in Texas begining in 1768.

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dubslaine | Feb 25, 2011, 11:16 AM EST

Montreal is the SECOND largest Parade after New YORK, over 5000 paticipants and if the weather is good as many as 600,000 spectators on the streets, plus live TV coverage

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GeorgeDillon | Feb 25, 2011, 09:59 AM EST

I wouldn't recommend the Dublin Parade to anyone. It's not Irish--it's dominated by Africans and Indians. The Irish in Ireland have very low self-esteem. They appear to think that foreign cultures are more worthwhile than their own. They give pride of place in the Parade to foreign music, dancing and languages, while they appear ashamed of what is Irish. That's what makes them the spineless lot that they are. Usually when they go live abroad they begin to grow a little backbone. If you want to celebrate Africa Day, be in Dublin on March 17th. If you want to celebrate St Patrick's Day, go to Manhattan or Savannah.

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