@kindlekitten, I celebrate the Irish National Day and religion has no bearing on my celebration or the reason for it.
In fact here in Aus, a great number of people just celebrate, no matter what the occasion.
The press usually go around the various Irish pubs and clubs on St Pat's Day and interview loads of happy celebrators, and a great number of these people are there just for the fun of it - to have fun.
Bastille Day is another big celebration day here in Sydney as well.