Since the ninth century, the people of Ireland have celebrated St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. What began as a day of religious observation later became a day of celebration for Irish culture. Every year, staff and students at Fauquier High School (FHS) look forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with their unique traditions.
To celebrate the Irish holiday, FHS French teacher Nicole Goepper “makes sure that every member of her family has a lot of green [clothing] on.” For her children, Goepper helps to set up leprechaun traps in hopes of attracting the small, mischievous sprites into her house. Goepper and her family wake up on St. Patrick’s Day to discover green footprints around their house, inspiring them to appreciate and learn about Irish traditions.
For Conner McCune, a freshman at FHS, St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a “light-hearted holiday.” McCune’s father is Irish, so McCune is immersed in Irish culture and traditions more than the average FHS student. McCune feels as though the holiday is “one of the few days that [people] acknowledge that Ireland even exists.” St. Patrick’s Day means a lot to McCune, as it is a day to honor and share his culture with his peers.
O’Brien’s is a conventional Irish pub in Warrenton, Va., that McCune's family, like many others, visits in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Every year, the restaurant hosts a multi-day event in honor of the Irish holiday. It is hosted, in part, to honor and share their culture with the Warrenton townsfolk. To build anticipation for St. Patrick’s Day, O’Brien’s displays a sign year-round that counts down the days until the festivities.
Shamrocks, the color green, and leprechauns are all symbols that are commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day. For FHS counsel Johanna Scott, homemade shamrock cookies are a staple for her family on St. Patrick's Day. Other foods and drinks that are widely consumed on St. Patrick’s Day are corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and dyed-green beverages. The standard meal originates from traditional Irish cuisine.
St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, but also for honoring and learning about Irish history and culture. FHS students and staff are excited for the upcoming holiday, celebrating it with everything from leprechaun traps to shamrock cookies and corned beef.
