St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the day of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s death. Born in Britain, St. Patrick was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave. He is known for bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland and is said to have used the iconic shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.

While Americans often celebrate this day, according to History.com, the Irish have observed it as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. Irish families spend St. Patrick’s Day going to church, traditional music and dances, followed by a feast and celebration later in the day, waving the restriction on meat due to Lent.

Because of America’s diverse population, and the fact that all Americans who aren’t native are here as a result of immigration, Irish families moving to the U.S. have created new traditions surrounding the holiday, even for those without any Irish descent. During the mid-19th century, many Irish Catholic families moved to the U.S. due to the Great Famine. As a result, cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago have their own St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, showcasing the holiday’s growth into a broader cultural tradition.

While leprechauns don’t have any direct connection to St. Patrick, they are an important part of Irish folklore, making them a prominent feature of the American St. Patrick’s Day celebration. As part of our celebration, we decided to try making leprechaun traps—a fun childhood tradition. As a part of the tradition, children usually build the leprechaun trap the night before St. Patrick’s Day and wait until the next morning to see if they succeeded. Usually, the leprechaun escapes but leaves a couple of things behind on their speedy way out. 

Only two members of the Ahlahasa staff could remember making them as children, but we still gave it another Hasa try. We gathered our supplies at the dollar store for $2.70, picking up some three-leaf clovers and golden coins to lure the leprechaun in. We used an old Gushers container to form a box and poked a hole in the top. After that, we wrapped the box in green paper and surrounded it with three-leaf clovers. Next, we made a tiny ladder and signs out of paper. Finally, we placed gold coins right outside the hole at the top and scattered some inside the box to make the leprechaun fall in while trying to grab the remaining coins.

While the trap didn’t succeed in catching a leprechaun, it was a fun reminder of how St. Patrick’s Day has evolved. The leprechaun trap may be just a playful tradition, but like most, it brings out the feeling of nostalgia and a good time to connect with family and friends.