St Patrick’s Day is nearly here and London will once again be awash with 40 shades of green, but what are the celebrations all about?

They commemorate St Patrick, who is traditionally said to have brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century AD. The Early Christian period in Ireland (c. 400AD to 1000AD) was a time of artistic and cultural wealth – illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells and fine metalwork like the Ardagh chalice were produced.

But what was everyday life like and, more importantly for the fashion conscious, what were people wearing?

During research for the Museum of London’s Collections Online Project, a very strange looking shoe was discovered, unlike any type of footwear usually found in London. It has now been identified as coming from Ireland and dating to the Early Christian period. But what was this shoe doing in London and in the collections of the Museum of London? A hunt through our paper records provided the answer.

The shoe had been bought by Sir Guy Laking, first Keeper of the London Museum, which was founded in 1911. It was described as being Irish, but was bought by him to be used in the museum displays “to show type of shoe worn in Anglo-Saxon Times”. So here is an object that originally had nothing to do with London but is now part of London’s history, telling a story about the development of the Museum’s collections, which are many and varied.

So Happy St Patrick’s Day and why not celebrate by looking at some of our wonderful collections online?

A guest post by the Museum of London as part of our Visiting the Past series. More London history next week.

• Catch Brent’s St Patrick’s Day Parade from 4pm at Willesden Green Tube, followed by Irish folk dancing, music, a market and children’s activities. Willesden Green Library, 17 Mar
• See Irish dance superstars Up & Over It as they present an alternative St Patrick’s Day celebration at the Hackney Empire. Enjoy an electro-pop ceili after the show. 18 Mar
• Feast on Irish smoked salmon courtesy of Irish artisan smoker Frank Hederman at Selfridges (10am-5pm) and the Wright Brothers Soho Oyster House (5-7pm). Talks and tastings, 17 Mar
• Party in The City with Irish pies and half-price Guinness at Agenda bar. 17 Mar (half price St Patricks drinks until 9pm).
• Hear the sounds of Ireland as St Martin-in-the-Fields mark St Patrick’s Day with a programme celebrating Irish music. 17 Mar
• Sip on a Jameson Irish Mule cocktail at Zigfrid von Underbelly in Shoreditch, plus DJs and Irish dancers, 17 Mar
• Have a drink in one of London’s best Irish bars (and tell us whether you agree with our choices).

How are you celebrating St Patricks day? Let us know in the comments below.

Irish writer Orlaith O’Sullivan recently spent time in London researching her new book. While she was here, she checked out some of London’s best Irish bars for our World in London series…

More than tracing the footsteps of Shaw and Yeats around Bloomsbury, spending an hour or two in conversation over a well-poured pint is a quintessential London-Irish experience. A “good” Irish pub has a certain elusive quality. It doesn’t try too hard to announce its heritage. It is a space that welcomes, warms, and nurtures good conversation. 

Waxy O’Connor’s – in the heart of the West End – is a cavernous pub that still manages to feel inviting. Order your pint and Tayto crisps, then choose a spot according to your taste: nestle beside the fire in the Cottage Bar, take a pew within the gothic décor of the Church Bar, or explore the fairytale atmosphere of the Tree Room, where you can marvel beneath its massive trunks and branches. 

With its mix of church architecture, painted panelled ceilings and tiled floors, Waxy O’Connor’s provides a unique and quirky setting for its loyal, lively clientele. If you’re looking for a smaller, simpler experience, try Waxy’s Little Sister, around the corner on Wardour Street. Armchairs, sofas and an open fire set the perfect tone for a quick catch-up pint or a chilled-out evening. 

For something completely different, The Irish Club is an elegant members’ club that welcomes guests and non-members. Located at 2-4 Tudor Street, the 1903 building previously housed The Institute of Journalists and was later converted to barristers’ chambers. Now tastefully restored, it offers a sophisticated sanctuary from the bustle of Blackfriars. 

The Club’s Jameson Bar reportedly houses the largest collection of Irish whiskeys in London. If whiskey isn’t your tipple, there’s ample choice of wines, cocktails and beers to enjoy against a backdrop of contemporary Irish art. (At the time of writing, there are more Graham Knuttels than you could shake a stick at.) 

The secret of a good Irish bar lies in its atmosphere. Whether its customers are reading the papers on a still afternoon, or roaring encouragement to the Six Nations, it’s a space that remains dependable, recognisable, despite its different moods. Whatever it is, you can’t bottle it. 

Do you have more Irish recommendations? Let us know where you go to find a taste of Ireland in London.