The call for a Northern Ireland Saint Patrick's Day holiday followed a recent decision by Belfast City Council to refuse funding for a Saint Patrick's parade in Belfast.

BBC: Call for St Patrick's Day holiday

Below St Patrick's alleged burial site, the enlightening, highly interactive Saint Patrick Centre is the only dedicated exhibition centre in the world dedicated to Ireland's patron saint.

BBC: Who was the real St Patrick?

Irish tourism chiefs who asked the Queen for a Saint Patrick's Day favour have received their answer.

BBC: Queen answers Irish bid to turn Buckingham Palace green

He was gaining soundings about any chances for progress before the parties travel to Washington to take part in the 17 March Saint Patrick's Day celebrations.

BBC: Church leaders want assembly restored

Meanwhile, speaking in Washington ahead of the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, US special envoy to Northern Ireland Mitchell Reiss said the government's inquiry into the killing must be "transparent and have the power to publish the full truth".

BBC: NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | Finucane inquiry plans criticised

He said he regretted the sectarian label that had been put on the saint and also the political label that had been put on St Patrick.

BBC: Call for St Patrick's Day holiday

Patrick's tradition that began in 1908, when students declared that the patron saint of Ireland also was the patron saint of engineers.

WSJ: Revelers await St. Patrick's Day from NY to Dublin

Another group, the St Patrick's Heritage Association, are planning an education programme which would help the Protestant community learn more about the saint.

BBC: Challenge for St Patrick's Day funding