On the 17th of March 2012 all pubs in Sutton can almost be certain to be full with citizens of Irish decent celebrating the patron saints feast day. From parents to grandparents pubs will be hosting themed nights. With an array of exciting events lined up; Irish Elvis impersonators, Irish pub quizzes, and generally a jolly evening, it will be hard to stay home on the evening of the 17th of March. When a selection of locals was questioned on what they associated with Ireland and St. Patricks day an astonishing 84% said shamrocks and Leprechaun but where do these ideas originate from?

The shamrock as symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day is partly due to the natural abundance of clover plants in the country, but largely due to its strong association with Christianity. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to visually illustrate the concept of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) when trying to convert polytheistic pagans to Christianity.

A leprechaun looks like a little old man and dresses like a shoemaker with a cocked hat and leather apron. They live alone and pass the time by mending the shoes of Irish fairies. The legend is that the fairies pay the leprechauns for their work with golden coins, which the "little people" collect in large pots--the famous "pots of gold" often, associated with leprechauns. The Irish believe if you listen closely for the sound of their hammer you might be able to capture one. If you do you can force him (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal where he's hidden his treasure.

And if that wasn’t interesting enough the real St. Patrick wasn't even Irish. He was born in Britain around A.D. 390 to an aristocratic Christian family with a townhouse, a country villa, and plenty of slaves.

Yet with true Irish spirit, just like the past years Sutton pubs are nearly certain to be spilling with Irish locals wanting to celebrate the day of St Patrick.