St Patrick’s Day celebrations seem to get bigger and bigger each year – perhaps partly powered by Ireland’s ever-growing presence in pop culture. On this iconic day, Armagh offers a unique take on the revelry, having some very strong historical ties to the patron saint.
A Firm Brand in Entertainment Circles
The Irish theme, and especially the rolling green hills as a setting, is beloved across pop culture. You can look to the popularity of films like P.S. I Love You, or the cult following of the Leprechaun series. However, the theme is at its most prominent and sought-after in the world of free online slots.
In slot gaming, there are hundreds of slots released each year. All of them are battling for popularity in an incredibly competitive space. So, developers like to lean into famed themes, and sites then pick the headline slots to feature prominently in their promotions, such as free spins bonuses and in slots tournaments.
Just a cursory glance at any of the top three free slot tournament sites, as ranked and rated at https://www.slotozilla.com/uk/free-slots/tournaments, shows a prevalence of Irish-themed games. These are the ones that are being very well publicised and are very popular on those free slot tournament platforms.
| Game | Studio | Tournament Site |
| Clover Gold | Pragmatic Play | All British Casino |
| Clover Islands | Amusnet | NetBet |
| Good Luck Clusterbuster | Red Tiger | Mega Casino |
| Gold Party 2 After Hours | Pragmatic Play | Mega Casino |
| Leprechaun Goes Wild | Play’n GO | All British Casino |
| Luck O’ the Irish Megaways | Blueprint | All British Casino |
| Rainbow Riches Rainbow Frenzy | ReelPlay | NetBet |
| Rainbow Wilds Megaways | Iron Dog Studio | Mega Casino |
| Threefold the Gold | Games Global | NetBet |
| Twofold The Gold | Games Global | NetBet |
| Wild Wild Riches Megaways | Pragmatic Play | All British Casino |
All of these slots are very overtly in the Irish theme. While boasting more religious connotations initially, St Patrick’s Day celebrations now fully lean into these depictions. The scenes from the parades, drawing from the iconography embedded in pop culture, only fuel the popularity of these kinds of free slots.
The Original St Patrick Site
Armagh has a special place in the history of St Patrick. The patron saint of Ireland visited Armagh and labelled it his “sweet hill,” according to https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/armagh-welcomes-the-world-for-home-of-st-patrick-festival-next-month/. He was so taken by the area that he even founded his first large stone church here in 445 AD.
A Novelty in the World Dedicated to the Saint
One wasn’t enough for St Patrick and his ever-growing following. Not only is there the Hill of the Sallows’ St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, but there’s also a second cathedral. With the Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church a mere half a mile away, Armagh stands as the world’s only city boasting two cathedrals that bear the saint’s name.
The Most Spiritual Celebrations Each Year
Armagh clearly made a huge impression on St Patrick, and in return, he more than left his mark. As a result, Armagh continues to be seen as the most spiritual destination for St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The celebrations covered in https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-64940696 in 2023, for example, began with a torch-lit vigil and culminated in a community parade to the Cathedral Road Recreation Centre. Celebrations have also taken place at:
- St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral
- Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral
- Armagh County Museum
- Navan Fort
- The Pilgrim’s Walk (from Armagh to Downpatrick)
Arguably, Armagh has one of the strongest ties to St Patrick and his day of celebrations. Given the prominence of the Irish theme and its inherent ties to St Patrick’s Day, this further makes Armagh a top destination for the big day each year.
