In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, Barrel O’Monkeyz is running a special promotion now through March 17 where you could win a free one-hour, one-on-one “beverage” meeting with either the King Monkey himself, Paul June, or BOM’s Account Executive Dina Daglas. This would be a great opportunity for you to explore questions about digital marketing, branding, and social media strategies to ramp up sales, launch new products, and position or re-position your brands. See contest rules below.
THE STORY OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Originating in the 1600s as a religious observance to commemorate the life of Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, March 17, 461 AD. Over the centuries, St. Patrick’s Day has become a symbol of Irish heritage and culture, and is now celebrated all over the world. It wasn’t until the early 18th century, when Irish immigrants brought the tradition of St. Patrick’s Day over to the American colonies, where it grew in popularity, that it became the celebration we are familiar with today.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY FUN FACTS
- Patrick was not Irish. He was born in Britain in the late 300s AD. Captured by Irish raiders when he was 16, he was kept as a slave in Ireland for six years. It’s at this time he chose to convert to Christianity. Attempting escape back to Britain, he was captured by the French. He later claimed to have had a vision while a captive of the French, which told him to bring Christianity to the predominantly pagan and druidic Irish people.
- His real name was not Patrick. He was born Maewyn Succat. He only later chose to be known as “Patricius” or Patrick when he became a priest as an adult.
- Patrick is technically not a saint as he was never canonized by the Catholic Church. In the early tradition of the Church, it was common to view “exceptionally holy people” as saints rather than going through the official process of canonization.
- Patrick’s day used to be a dry holiday in Ireland. Traditionally celebrated as a “Saint’s Feast Day,” it was a strictly religious occasion with saw most pubs closed on March 17. Only in the last fifty years or so has it been celebrated in Ireland like it is in America, with parades, drinking, and revelry.
- The shamrock became associated with St. Patrick’s because, according to Irish legend, Saint Patrick used the three-leafed plant to help explain the “Holy Trinity” of the Christian church.
- While St. Patrick gets credit for driving all the snakes out of Ireland, most likely there were never very many snakes in Ireland to begin with. Fossil records reveal that Ireland has probably been too cold throughout the centuries to support many snakes.
- Perhaps unsurprisingly, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest days for bars in the United States, behind only New Year’s, Christmas, and the Fourth of July. Worldwide, some 13 million pints of Guinness will be consumed on March 17. On a related note, Cabbage shipments increase 70% in the week leading up to St. Patrick’s Day.
CONTEST RULES
- Head to our Facebook or Instagram page and like the “Do You Feel Lucky?” contest image.
- Follow our socials:
- Instagram — @barrelomonkeyz
- Twitter — @barrelomonkeyz
- Facebook — @barrelomonkeyz
- Tag two friends and comment on why you would like to win a one-on-one “beverage” meeting with either Paul or Dina (depending on availability).
EXPLORE A WORKING RELATIONSHIP
Barrel O’Monkeyz has years of experience working with companies to develop and refine their traditional marketing and digital marketing strategies. Contact us today.
