St. Paddy's Day...when it comes to nightlife inspiring holidays, this one has got to take the cabbage...err I mean the cake. We raise a glass of green beer, sing Irish drinking songs, and revel in a celebrations of...hmm...the four leaf clover?!?

Actually there are more stories about the orgin of SPD than there are Black and Tans served on a typical Saturday night at McGuire's, but two stand out to the masses:

1. The religious story behind St. Patrick's Day involves Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland - he is credited for bringing Christianity to the Irish. According to legend, Saint Patrick used a shamrock to explain about God. The shamrock, which looks like clover, has three leaves on each stem. Saint Patrick told the people that the shamrock was like the idea of the Trinity – that in the one God there are three divine beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The shamrock was sacred to the Druids, so Saint Patrick’s use of it in explaining the trinity was very wise.

the second explanation is a bit more whimsical:

2. It is legend that Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland. Different versions of the story, tell of him standing upon a hill, using a wooden staff to drive the serpents into the sea, banishing them forever from Ireland. One version says that an old serpent resisted banishment, but that Patrick outwitted him. Patrick made a box and invited the snake to enter. The snake insisted it was too small and the two argued. Finally to prove his point, the snake entered the box to show how tight the fit was. Patrick slammed the lid closed and threw the box into the sea.

Although it began in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in countries around the world. People with Irish heritage - and plenty without -remind themselves of the beautiful green countryside of Ireland by wearing green and taking part in the festivities. Enjoy SPD and toast a green beer - no matter whether you are toasting a religion, a snake in a box, or simply a great holiday out with your friends, if you skip this holiday, you will be certainly "Green with Envy!"

Video: Click here for a St. Patrick's Day Update from Local News!