St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of the patron saint of Ireland and his fabled expulsion of the snakes from the country.

Once upon a time, the day was celebrated with church services and simple parties. When Irish immigrants came to America, they used the day to mark their heritage with big celebrations. Now, the holiday features parades, parties and all things green.

The large celebrations have even spread back to the holiday’s home country of Ireland. The St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Dublin, Ireland’s capital, are well known and well attended. According to the St. Patrick’s Festival website, the fun lasts March 13-17 and includes lives performances, music, food events, family fun and more.

“The festival is a vibrant and dynamic showcase of Ireland’s rich cultural heritage, both traditional and contemporary,” the website boasts.

However, there is a new threat to the celebrations this year - COVID-19, the latest strain of the coronavirus.

Professor John Oxford, a virologist from Queen Mary University of London, has urged Irish officials to cancel the large parade planned in Dublin.

“If I were in their shoes, I would say ‘we must postpone it.’ It’s not the end of the world for one year,” Oxford said, according to an Irish Post article published March 2.

Oxford noted the annual event attracts tourists from all over the world. While this is a nice boost to the area’s economy, it could also create a scenario in which the virus can spread.

At the time of his suggestion, there were two confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country.

Taoisearch and Minister for Defense of Ireland Leo Varadkar responded he would not advise canceling the parade just yet, according to the Irish Post article.

“But bear in mind that the St Patrick’s Day festival is two weeks away and a lot can happen between now and then,” he said.

As of March 4, Ireland’s chief medical officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, also said he sees no reason to cancel the Dublin parade, according to a News Letter article.

However, just a few days later, a town in Cork County announced the cancellation of its local St. Patrick’s Day parade. According to a March 6 article in the Irish Examiner, the town of Youghal was the first to cancel its parade.

Some other towns have followed Youghal’s example and have canceled their parades, including Cork City, Maynooth, Cobh, Midleton, Blantry, Blarney, Stepaside, Greystones, Newtown, Clane, Whitegate, Newbridge, Templemore, Castlegregory and Sligo.

Independent councilors Christy Burke and Anthony Flynn called an emergency meeting of Dublin City Council March 9 urging the parade to be canceled indefinitely. Burke noted he has received nonstop calls from people concerned about the spread of the virus and that many are actually leaving the city to avoid crowds.

“It’s not about saving face any longer and the might of big business - it’s about people’s lives and health and safety,” Burke said. “Ordinary people are scandalized that the government don’t seem to be taking this situation more seriously.”

According to news reports, the St. Patrick’s Day parade as well as other mass gathering events for the festivities in Dublin have been canceled following the March 9 emergency meeting and the recommendation of the National Public Health Emergency Team.

A news release on the St. Patrick’s Festival website notes more than 100 small to medium scale events including musical and theatrical performances, talks, walks, tours and more are still happening. As of press time, the total number of confirmed cases in Ireland was 36 - with 24 being in the Republic of Ireland and 12 in Northern Ireland.

However, on our side of the ocean, Lehigh Valley celebrations will continue. Bethlehem’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is scheduled for March 14. Allentown’s parade is set for March 22.

If you do join the crowds and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family, please remember to wash your hands.

Samantha Anderson

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press