Some lucky UW-Madison students will not be making the traditional trip to State Street for green beer this St. Patrick's Day, but instead will celebrate in the nation this holiday calls home.
The university has a study abroad program in Galway, Ireland, just a little more than 100 miles west of Dublin, where several UW-Madison students are studying abroad for the spring semester.
According to the study abroad students, St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday and some of the festivities in Dublin and Galway are completely different from those in the United States.
\I think the main difference between the celebrations here and at home is that here they have a lot of stuff planned, the parade and other various things, and they make it into more of a whole day celebration,"" said UW-Madison study abroad student Briana Schnelle.
UW-Madison study abroad student Kelly Higgins said other festivities in Dublin include fireworks at night and special music stages set up around the city.
""The theme for this year's parade is Mischief, Madness and Mayhem,"" Higgins said. ""Twelve bands and orchestras from around the world take part in it.""
Higgins added that students and travelers from surrounding Irish and European cities flood the streets and the celebration lasts throughout the weekend.
UW-Madison student Melissa Trinley is making a trip to Ireland this St. Patrick's Day and said some of her Irish friends told her the celebration has only become prominent in the last few years.
""I don't think the stereotypes are true and the case is probably that Americans have blown the holiday way out of proportion and taken the partying and drinking to the extreme,"" she said.
UW-Madison history Professor James Donnelly said the recent celebrations in Ireland are a sign of Irish economic and cultural progress.
""A modern economic miracle has accelerated the Irish economy,"" he said. ""We're talking about a Celtic tiger.""
According to Donnelly, the heightened celebration on St. Patrick's Day is an effort to produce a public event on a grand scale that showcases Ireland as one of the great modern industrial nations in the world.
UW-Madison students abroad in Ireland are excited to commemorate the work of the nation's saints and celebrate ethnic and national identity this St. Patrick's Day.
""I don't know if it's an Irish thing or just my crazy Irish roommate, but she tells me I need to drink eight pints of Guinness,"" Schnelle said.
""I'm pretty excited about it, and I think it will be just a fun day overall.""
