Being Irish is more than just celebrating Saint Patrick's Day; it is a lifestyle that has been instilled in you since the day you were born. In fact, your first sentence was probably, "Éirinn go Brách" and your feet were probably adorned with ghillies at a month old. Here are a few telltale signs that you grew up embracing your Irish heritage and celebrating the Emerald Isle.

1. You’ve known every drinking song by heart since you were a toddler

Growing up Irish meant that music was constantly in your ears, so it makes sense that at four years old you could skip around the house singing “Tell Me Ma.”

2. You Irish danced

Whether you competed at any level, or just for fun at weddings, you know your way around a reel and a light jig. Bonus points if there is an embarrassing video of you as a baby bouncing along to “Riverdance” on VHS.

3. There was never a moment of silence in your house because music was always playing

From “Danny Boy” to “Galway Girl” you know every single Irish song there is. You probably even fangirled over Celtic Thunder at least once in your life and sang along to the Irish Tenors in the car coming home from school. Plus, let’s face it, when Damian McGinty was on Glee you had to watch every episode as it aired and by every song he was featured in.

4. You know what “póg mo thóin" means, and how to pronounce it properly

The thing with Gaelic is that words sound nothing like how they’re spelled. You have multiple shirts with Gaelic sayings on them and you’re used to people coming up to you, slaughtering each word, and then having to correct them with the correct pronunciation. Sure “feis” sounds like “fesh”, but hey, it makes perfect sense to you.

5. You have played at least one Irish instrument in your life

Whether it was the fiddle, tin whistle, or concertina, you were placed in lessons as a wee lad or lass and forced to learn every song imaginable to play for family members. Or compete.

6. You know the differences between Irish brogues

On the rare occasion that you can hear a brogue, you can often tell the difference between those from Dublin and Limerick. An Irish accent brings a warm sense of home to your heart and since you grew up listening to them, it is rare that you can tell that somebody has one. Unless they’re from Cork or Kerry—then even you are lost.

7. March was your busiest and favorite month

Between parades, parties, get-togethers and practices, you both looked forward to and dreaded March. “March Madness” to you means almost daily dance practices, endless amounts of soda bread, two parades a weekend for four weeks straight, and eating everyday until you turn green.

8. The smell of Irish soda bread reminds you of your mom

No matter what anybody says, nobody can make soda bread like your mom can. As soon as you get a waft of that delicious aroma, you’re suddenly brought back to the kitchen as a child, climbing up onto the counter to help ma knead the dough and cut the cross into it. Just spreading the butter onto a slice can make a tear come to your eye as you remember your doting mother who always let you have the first slice.

9. You pretty much grew up in a bar

Let’s face it. Having Irish parents taught you that Guinness is a healthy source of iron and that the bar scene is the best scene. You probably learned how to play pool at the age of two and could throw a dart perfectly to the center of the bull’s-eye by the age of eight. That smell of cashews, beer, and pretzels mixed with the loud cheering of sports fanatics will always remind you of your parents and the bar you used to call home.

10. You had an Irish blessing hanging up somewhere in your house.

“May the road rise up to meet you…” was plastered somewhere in your home along with a Crucifix, the Irish flag, and some Belleek Pottery that your mom collected. To this day, twenty years later, you can recite the blessing from memory, in both English and Gaelic.

So sláinte, and go forth and spread the luck of the Irish in the way you were taught: with love, trust, and loyalty.