In the mid 1800s, Ireland was struck by a potato blight which led to the Great Irish Famine. 1 million Irish lost their lives during the famine, because the English chose not to help its colony. An additional 1 million Irish left to try and survive. My own ancestors were among those who chose to leave, however we did not settle in Butte.
A large portion of Irish found their way to Butte, Montana to work in the mines. So many Irish immigrants settled in Butte that Gaelic was the common language spoken in the mines. By 1900, the Irish made up a quarter of the population in Butte, which was more than any other city in the US at the time.
St. Patrick's Day was not always about drinking green beer and getting plastered. March 17, 461 was the day that St. Patrick died. During his time as a priest, Patrick went to Ireland where he began to convert the pagans to Christianity. To do this, he defied the pagan king and explained the Holy trinity by using a shamrock. In the pagan tradition, the shamrock represented life with its green color and the three leaves represented three pagan goddesses. For this reason, shamrocks and the color green are associated with St. Patrick and his Feast Day of March 17th.
St. Patrick's Day might be considered a day for drinking and revelry today, but it's primary purpose is to celebrate St. Patrick and the Irish heritage.
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