St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on 17th March, is a fantastic opportunity for home-educating families to explore Irish history, geography, folklore, music, and traditions in an engaging and hands-on way. This day is not just about wearing green and enjoying parades – it’s a chance to dive into the rich history of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and celebrate Irish heritage through a variety of engaging educational activities. Whether you’re in Ireland, the UK, or further afield, this St Patrick’s Day Unit Study provides fun and meaningful activities to bring the spirit of Ireland into your home.
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Who Was St. Patrick?
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, credited with bringing Christianity to the country. He was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century and kidnapped by Irish raiders as a teenager. After years of slavery, he escaped but later returned to Ireland as a missionary. He is best known for using the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—to the Irish people. Another well known legend concerning St. Patrick is of him driving the snakes out of Ireland, but lets find out if this is more symbolic than historical fact?
The shamrock, which is a three-leafed plant, is often mistakenly thought to be the same as a four-leaf clover. While the shamrock is linked to St. Patrick and Irish heritage, the four-leaf clover is considered a symbol of luck.
Links on Saint Patrick
Video on Saint Patrick
Books on Saint Patrick
Activity on Saint Patrick
Have your child create a mini-book or timeline of St. Patrick’s life.
Irish Geography: Mapping Ireland
Ireland’s stunning landscapes are iconic. Locate Ireland on a world map and identify its four provinces and 32 counties. Older children can research major cities, rivers, and landmarks like the Cliffs of Moher and Giant’s Causeway.
Free Maps of Ireland:
- Mapswire Free Maps of Ireland
- Irish Genealogy Toolkit County Map of Ireland
- National Geographic MapMaker (For older students create a custom Ireland map!)
Fact Files on Ireland:
- National Geographic Kids Ireland Fact File
- National Geographic Kids United Kingdom Fact File (details on NI)
Video on Geography of Ireland
This video is aimed more at tweens and teens – pre-watching is advised.
Reference Books
Two of my favourite geography reference books for studying any country are the DK Children’s Illustrated Atlas and Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski. The DK Children’s Illustrated Atlas is a fantastic resource for kids, featuring detailed maps and accessible information on geography, culture, and history, all presented in an engaging, child-friendly format. Maps by the Mizielinskis is equally captivating, with beautifully illustrated, highly detailed maps that highlight the unique aspects of each country, from its landmarks to its natural features. This book allows children to explore different regions of the world in a visual way, making geography both fun and educational. Both books are perfect for laying a strong foundation in global geography while sparking curiosity about the world.
Activity on Geography of Ireland
Print or Draw a blank map of Ireland and have your child label key locations. Younger children can colour in the map, while older kids can research and mark famous sites.
Irish Folklore & Storytelling
Irish mythology is rich with fascinating stories about fairies, witches, leprechauns, and other mystical creatures. This is a great opportunity to delve into literature and folklore, exploring the tales that have been passed down through generations.
Irish Folklore Books:
Celtic Tales: Fairy Tales and Stories of Enchantment from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales is a captivating collection that weaves together the rich folklore of the Celtic lands, bringing to life enchanting stories of bravery, magic, and ancient traditions. Tales of Old Ireland is another wonderful book that compiles some of Ireland’s most beloved myths and legends, sharing the stories of heroes, gods, and magical creatures.
I chose these books not only for their excellent content but also because they are easily accessible for roadschooling families who want to take part in this unit study while travelling. Tales of Old Ireland is available on Audible, making it a fantastic option for listening on the go, while Celtic Tales is available on Kindle, allowing families to enjoy these magical stories without needing to carry physical books. Whether you’re reading aloud at home or listening during a long drive, these books provide an engaging way to explore Irish folklore.
👉 Want to enjoy Irish myths on the go? Get Tales of Old Ireland for free with an Audible Free Trial and bring the magic of storytelling to your roadschooling adventures! What makes this audiobook even more special is that it’s narrated by Maura O’Connell, a brilliant irish folk singer whose storytelling brings the tales to life with warmth and authenticity. Enjoy one of my favourite songs from Maura O’Connell below:
Irish Fairy Tales:
If you’re unable to get hold of Tales of Old Ireland or Celtic Tales, there are still plenty of free ways to enjoy Irish stories with your children. Storynory offers a fantastic collection of free audio stories, including classic Irish myths and legends, making it a great alternative for listening on the go. Another fun option is watching How to Catch a Leprechaun on YouTube, a lively and engaging story that younger children will love. These resources provide an easy and accessible way to bring Irish folklore into your St. Patrick’s Day unit study without any cost.
Activity on Irish Folklore
After reading or listening to a story, have your child illustrate their favourite scene or retell the story in their own words.
If you’re interested in the process of designing your own unit studies, you might find my Design a Unit Study: a step-by-step Guide blog post helpful. It walks you through the step-by-step process of building a personalised study tailored to your child’s interests and learning style. I’ve also created a How to Create Your Own Unit Study Workbook on that blog post which provides a structured approach to planning and organising your unit studies.
Music & Traditional Irish Songs
Music is a key part of Irish culture, and learning traditional Irish songs is an enjoyable activity for children. Danny Boy is one of Ireland’s most famous and heartfelt songs, often associated with Irish heritage. It’s a beautiful ballad that has been passed down through generations, and it can be a meaningful addition to your celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
Traditional Irish Songs
You can teach your children some famous Irish folk songs or simply play them to create a festive atmosphere. Please do note that while Danny Boy is a beautiful and iconic song, it can be quite challenging to sing, especially for younger children. A simpler, more fun alternative could be The Rattlin’ Bog, which has a catchy, repetitive melody and can be an enjoyable experience for kids to learn and sing together! Listen to both songs, along with others, for free on YouTube and then print your irish songs lyrics so you can join in.
Irish Tin Whistle
The Irish tin whistle is a wonderful and accessible instrument for children, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Its simple design and relatively few notes make it easy to pick up and start playing, even for younger kids. The tin whistle is light, affordable, and requires minimal maintenance, which makes it a great option for families just beginning their musical journey. With its bright, melodic sound, children can quickly learn to play simple tunes and experience the joy of making music. Its straightforward technique helps build confidence and serves as a great foundation for learning other instruments later on. If you fancy giving it a go then buy a cheap tin whistle and download some free tin whistle tab music.
Activity on Irish Traditional Music:
Teach your children the lyrics to an Irish Traditional Song. You could even create a mini performance or sing-along in your home.
Irish Symbols and Traditions
Incorporating symbols like the shamrock, leprechauns, the harp, Celtic knots, and the color green into your lessons can make learning about Ireland more engaging and fun. The shamrock is particularly significant because, according to legend, St. Patrick used it to explain the Christian Trinity to the Irish people. Other well-known Irish symbols include the harp, which is a national emblem of Ireland, the intricate and beautiful designs of Celtic knots, and the iconic Claddagh ring, symbolising love, loyalty, and friendship.
Additionally, animals such as the red fox, Irish wolfhound, and the Irish hare are often associated with Irish culture and folklore, adding another layer of tradition and symbolism to your study.
To help you find symbols of Ireland and other things typically Irish, the book Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski is a fantastic resource. The beautifully illustrated maps highlight Ireland’s landmarks, natural features, and cultural symbols, providing a rich visual context for your studies. Shown below is an example page spread on the United Kingdom.
Activity on Irish Symbols:
Learn about the animals, symbols and famous landmarks of Ireland and create your own collage or try your hand at a Celtic knot design.
Limericks: Fun with Irish Poetry
Limericks, a form of humorous five-line poetry, originated in Ireland. These short and often silly poems are a great way to get kids excited about creative writing. They follow a simple structure and rhyme scheme, making them both fun and easy to write. The typical limerick has a rhythm where the first two lines rhyme, the next two lines rhyme with each other, and the final line rhymes with the first two.
Listen to Limericks:
Listening to limericks is a great way to familiarise children with the rhythm and humour of this traditional Irish form of poetry. By hearing how the words flow and the rhymes come together, kids can better understand the structure and playfulness of limericks, inspiring them to create their own. Enjoy listening these fun, silly limericks on Storynory and see how they spark creativity!
Video Lesson on Limericks
An Example Limerick
There once was a leprechaun bold,
Whose pot filled with treasure and gold.
But one stormy night,
It vanished from sight,
Now the secret will never be told!
Activity on Limericks
Challenge your child to create their own limerick using this structure: the first two lines rhyme, the next two lines rhyme with each other and the final line rhymes with the first two.
Irish Blessing
Until next time “May the road rise up to meet you.” – This traditional saying is a heartfelt wish for good fortune, safe travels, and smooth paths ahead. It’s often used as a farewell, reminding us of the warmth and kindness found in Irish culture.
Wishing you a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day filled with learning, laughter, and a touch of Irish magic! 🍀
Let me know in the comments which activities you liked best.
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