St. Patrick’s Day celebrations take place around the world

John Redmond uses St. Patrick’s Day to show support to Belgium

18 March 1915 - A large reception was held in London yesterday to honour Ireland's patron saint, St Patrick. It was held in the Oak Room of the Hotel Cecil and was followed by a concert in the Grand Hall.

The huge crowd heard John Redmond say that without the war the event would have been a celebration of Irish political triumph - but that triumph had merely been delayed.

Mr. Redmond continued: ‘We are witnessing the enactment of a great tragedy. The shadows of suffering and of death hover over our land. The issues at stake at this moment are the liberty and civilisation of the world and, in a very special way, the existence of small nationalities.’

‘We have met here tonight to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by a demonstration of sympathy and support for Belgium, that gallant little land, which has done more, and suffered more, than any other country in this great struggle for human liberty.’

Mr. Redmond concluded by paying tribute to the 250,000 Irishmen who now fight for the British Army.

St Patrick's Day in Ireland

The confidential Inspector General's report for March 1915. It makes reference to a number of incidents that nearly resulted in violence on St Patrick's Day: 'In Londonderry, serious disturbance was only averted by the Nationalists consenting to abandon a band parade which they had intended to hold. These incidents serve as a indication that although relations between Nationalists and Unionists appear to be, and are, more friendly since the outbreak of War, under the surface, the old party bitterness is still strong.' Click to view in full.
(Image: National Archives UK, CO 904/96)

Across Ireland, festivities were also held to mark St. Patrick’s Day.

In Galway five bands led a large parade through the city. There were a few cases of drunkenness but the city remained quiet.

Another public processions passed through Drogheda, led by a local band playing patriotic songs. Those who marched included representatives of the Volunteers, the GAA, trade unions and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

In Limerick, the holiday saw many people wear the shamrock - including soldiers stationed in the city. The Union Jack floated from the flagstaff on the tower of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Among the many events in Dublin was a concert at the Rotunda Rink which drew a huge crowd. All of the items on the programme were related to Ireland, including some beautiful old airs. Members of the Gaelic League also performed dances and recitations. The concert concluded with the ‘Sinn Féin’ song, ‘Awake, Men of Éireann, the long night is passing.’

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]