Every March 17th, the world paints itself in different shades of green, topped with shamrocks, leprechauns, and Irish blessings, as communities across the globe come together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Amidst this year’s festivities, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the cultural significance of this day, as well as its unexpected connection to the iconic Ed Sullivan Show.

St. Patrick’s Day, originally and still for many is a religious observance, that commemorates Ireland’s introduction to Christianity by the patron saint Patrick—a Roman-British missionary who spent years evangelizing and spreading Christian teachings across Ireland. Legend has it that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, thus establishing it as a symbol of the holiday.  However, over time, this holiday has transformed into a global celebration of Irish culture and heritage. From parades to pub crawls, traditional folk music to Irish dance performances, the day offers a rich tapestry of festivities that unites tens of millions of people worldwide in the spirit of friendship and good cheer.

One platform we believe had a hand in popularizing the Irish holiday here in the States was The Ed Sullivan Show. The variety show, best remembered for introducing groundbreaking musical acts to American audiences, was also remembered for introducing groundbreaking global acts to Americans, consistently highlighting the talents of the Irish.  In the early 1960s, at the height of the show’s popularity, The Ed Sullivan Show welcomed a lineup of Irish performers to its stage, including Peter O’Toole,  Carmel Quinn, the beloved folk group The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners  and The McNiff Dancers. These appearances not only brought Irish music and culture into the living rooms of millions of Americans but also helped create a sense of pride and connection among the Irish diaspora in major cities across America. 

One of the most memorable moments in the history of The Ed Sullivan Show occurred on March 15, 1959, when the show decided to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in no better place than Ireland. Sharing stories of his family’s Irish roots and taking viewers with him as he toured Dublin, Sullivan showed America the enduring appeal of Irish customs and its ability to captivate people of all backgrounds. Through the magic of television, Ed Sullivan transported viewers to the Emerald Isle, where they got a taste of Ireland’s rich heritage and history.

So today, as we dress in our green and raise our glasses in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, let us not forget the role that Irish Americans like Ed Sullivan played in preserving and promoting Irish culture here in America. From the stages of Broadway to the screens of television sets, Irish music and dance have left an indelible mark on the history of the United States, thanks in part to the luck and pride of the Irish, something Ed Sullivan knew well.

Be sure to subscribe to The Ed Sullivan Show YouTube channel for new videos every day!