Happy Monday, and for those who celebrate it, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

[Susan Waldrip]

Also known as the Feast of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. At least in the US, we celebrate it with green beer, wearing green, and dressing up as St. Patrick or leprechauns -- or what we think a leprechaun looks like.

Funny thing, though: St. Patrick wasn't Irish! He was born in Scotland or Wales in 385 AD. Here are a few more facts about St. Patrick you may not have known:

• As a teenager, he was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. His job was sheep herder for many years until he escaped to a monastery in England. It was there he became a devout Christian, hence the title "saint" (though he was never officially canonized as a saint).
• Even though folks in the US wear green to celebrate the day, St. Patrick apparently wore blue. At least, according to all the surviving artwork that shows him wearing blue robes (but I'm wearing green today anyway, hoping to not get pinched as is our custom!)
• A popular myth about St. Patty is that while he was in Ireland, he drove out all the snakes. Hmm, Ireland is an island so I'm not sure where they would've gone... but scientists have determined that, since Ireland has always been an incredibly cold country, it's highly likely there were never any snakes to begin with and no snake fossils have ever been found.

There are more fun facts at Facts about St. Patrick.

So do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and if so, how? And if you don't, is there another fun holiday like it that you celebrate? What traditions or superstitions do you follow?

For those who do, Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!

[Jimmy Seddon]

Thanks @Susan Waldrip!  Today I learned some things I didn't know previously.  I have generally worn green, but that's more of an extra excuse to wear one of my favorite colours.  Outside of that I don't really participate in any other way.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

[Andy Gladstone]

I love when a Miscellaneous Monday post teaches me miscellanea that I did not previously know! Thank you for your contribution @Susan Waldrip! 

[G subramanyam]

Happy St. Patrick's Day dear @Susan Waldrip and to all celebrating.

[John Funk]

Thanks @Susan Waldrip for the post! There's some Irish blood in my somewhere from my mother's side, but really not doing anything to celebrate today. 

[Laurie Sciutti]

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

[Tomislav Tobijas]

One person on the radio today said that on St. Patrick's Day in Ireland, everything is closed and it's so crazy that even if you had an emergency and called an ambulance, they would probably tell you that they are 'stuck in a pub' 😂

I've never experienced that there but I've heard some wild stories haha

[Barbara Szczesniak]

I didn't get to this post yesterday, but I wore a St. Patrick's Day themed t-shirt, and my friend brought shamrock cookies to trivia. I never knew that St. Patrick is not actually recognized as a saint by the church, so I have learned something here. I guess I can also stop perpetuating that part about the snakes too.

[Bogna Krystian_Deviniti_]

I enjoy this group so much because I get to learn something fun so often. Thanks for this post 🍀

[Shawn Doyle - ReleaseTEAM]

I live in a cave and forget to celebrate each year.  Unless I happen to be at a conference on St. Paddys day, then there is always an after hours event.