In Reply to: Since when was March 17th "our national day" ? posted by Yawn on March 16, 2005 at 17:51:46:

The Government seem to think March 17 is our National holiday. Here s a piece from the St Pats Day Festival site......but you probably know more?

"St. Patrick's Festival was established by the Government of Ireland in November 1995.

The principle aim of St. Patrick's Festival, since its inauguration, is to develop a major annual international festival around the national holiday over which the 'owners' of the festival, the Irish people, would stand proud. It sets out to reflect the talents and achievements of Irish people on many national and world stages, and it acts as an exciting showcase for the manifold skills of the people of Ireland, of every age and social background" etc, etc.