The Irish and Irish-at-heart across the globe yesterday celebrated St Patrick’s Day, an event which began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland and has now turned into an international celebration of drinking beer, as well as the colour green.

Many Maltese youngsters also took the opportunity to catch up with a couple of friends and have a couple of beers.  Last Sunday, as part of the celebrations, a group of people marched from City Gate in Valletta down Republic Street.

Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, St Patrick was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned to convert the Irish to Christianity, and by the time he passed away on 17 March 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools.