From Lipstick Alley

When most people think about spending St Patrick’s day on the Emerald Isle, only one location comes to mind. That location is usually Ireland. However, there’s another Emerald Isle and it’s located in the Caribbean! Montserrat is the only place in the world outside of Ireland that celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day as a national holiday, and it’s quite a treat for travelers and locals alike.

I had the pleasure of visiting Montserrat for the first time to experience the festivities, and I think it’s something everyone should add to their Caribbean bucket list. It’s a unique chance to break out the green, grab a Guinness, and party on a beautiful island! Now I wont sugarcoat anything: like most celebrations in the Caribbean it’s rooted in the history of slavery. This year marked the 250th anniversary of a failed slave revolt in 1768 against the slave masters, who were mostly Irish. The revolt was to take place on a day where they were distracted, drunk and merry but somehow they found out and the plan was thwarted.

As a result, several slaves were killed as penalty for attempting to overthrow their masters and as a warning to those who wished to do the same. I find it really interesting how the island of Montserrat has turned what was once a horrific moment in history into an opportunity to celebrate and educate. They now host a week-long heritage fest with parades, lectures, concerts and plenty of partying! The calendar has a mix of events, including the popular Regional Soca Monarch Competition, the St. Patrick’s Cultural Pageant, Freedom Run & Walk, and organized tours around the island.

For more on this story go to: https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/celebrating-saint-patrick%E2%80%99s-day-in-montserrat-%E2%80%93-caribbean-style.2237935/