CIRCLEVILLE, OH — As the “Sea of Green” takes over Court Street this Tuesday, March 17, 2026, historians are reminding Ohioans that the holiday’s original color wasn’t emerald at all—it was blue.
Before the shamrock became a global icon, “St. Patrick’s Blue” was the official color of Irish knighthood and the early Irish state. It wasn’t until the 1798 Irish Rebellion that “the wearing of the green” became a subversive act of pride, eventually traveling across the Atlantic with the thousands of immigrants who built the foundations of Southern Ohio.
📜 A Legacy Forged in Blue-Collar Labor
In Ohio, the shift from “St. Patrick’s Blue” to “Buckeye Green” is a story of grit. In the 1820s, Irish laborers arrived in the Pickaway and Ross County areas to perform the back-breaking “blue-collar” work of digging the Ohio & Erie Canal.
- The Connection: These workers, many of whom settled in what we now call “Little Dublin” pockets of the state, used the holiday as a rare day of rest from the dangerous labor of carving waterways through the Ohio wilderness.
- The American Evolution: While Ireland traditionally spent the day in quiet, blue-clad religious reflection, Ohio’s Irish communities transformed it into a boisterous celebration of survival and success.
🍀 Local “Green” Events in Southern Ohio Today
While the history may be blue, the present is undeniably green. Here is where you can find the spirit of the Emerald Isle in our area today:
Circleville & Ashville: The 2026 “St. Paddy’s” Crawl
The local festivities are peaking tonight with the Circleville Bar Crawl.
- The Route: Starting at 8:30 PM, the crawl hits local favorites including Blades, Kelli Jo’s, Mike’s, and Ashbrook.
- The Stakes: Organized by local promoters, the event features a $1,000 cash giveaway and a “Best Dressed” contest. If you’re heading out, expect a packed house at every stop on Court Street.
Portsmouth: The Potato Toss
In the Boneyfiddle District of Portsmouth, the 7 Nations Celtic Club of Southern Ohio is keeping one of the state’s most unique traditions alive: The Potato Toss.
- Why Potatoes? Marchers toss potatoes (and candy) to the crowds as a nod to the Irish staple crop. Local pubs are hosting live bagpipe performances through the evening.
Columbus: The “Family Reunion”
The Shamrock Club of Columbus just wrapped its massive parade through downtown. The party has now moved to the Greater Columbus Convention Center for the “Irish Family Reunion,” featuring the Irwin Academy of Irish Dance and a massive spread of corned beef.
