And in the middle is a holiday associated with merry drinking and a centuries-old religious figure: St. Patrick's Day. Monday, March 17, is the holiday to celebrate everything Irish, including St.

It was among Irish American communities that the day became the celebration it is, from its roots as a more solemn day with a religious observance in Ireland.

By PATRICK WHITTLE It’s that time of year again when more than a million green-clad revelers fill the streets of America’s most Irish big city for the South Boston St. Patrick’s