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March 17th • Culture & Heritage

St. Patrick's Day

A global celebration of Irish culture, heritage, and the spirit of ireland. From the parades in Dublin and New York to the turning of the Chicago River green, St. Patrick's Day has become one of the most recognised national holidays in the world. This lesson explores the power of national branding, the impact of the Irish diaspora, and whether modern celebrations have become too commercialised.

A glass of Irish stout representing St. Patrick's Day celebrations

Speaking Discussion

  • Why do you think St. Patrick's Day has become such a massive global phenomenon compared to other national holidays?
  • Is it appropriate for people with no Irish heritage to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, or is it a form of cultural appropriation?
  • How has the brand of Ireland (friendliness, music, Guinness) helped the country's economy and international influence?
  • In your opinion, is it important for countries to maintain their traditional cultural festivals in a globalised world? Why?
  • Do you think modern St. Patrick's Day celebrations focus too much on drinking and not enough on the actual history and culture of Ireland?
  • If you could create a global holiday for your own country's culture, what would it look like and how would people celebrate?
  • How does a country's reputation (its soft power) affect the way people from other countries perceive its citizens?

Activity 1: The national branding Pitch

The Task: You are a Minister of Tourism. Choose a small country and create a 3-step plan to make one of their local festivals as famous as St. Patrick's Day.

from the sidebar.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "The most recognizable symbol of Ireland is..."
  • "I think global holidays are..."
  • "In my opinion, the best way to celebrate heritage is..."