--34 million Americans have Irish ancestry, according to the
2003 US Census. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has
4.1 million people.
--Nine of the people who signed our Declaration of
Independence were of Irish origin, and nineteen Presidents of the United States
proudly claim Irish heritage -- including our first President, George Washington.
--The harp is the symbol of Ireland. The color green is also
commonly associated with Ireland, also known as “the Emerald Isle.” --The Irish flag is green, white and orange. The green
symbolizes the people of the south, and orange, the people of the north. White
represents the peace that brings them together as a nation.
--The name “leprechaun” has several origins. It could be from
the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.”
Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which means “shoemaker”
--According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest
number of leaves found on a clover is 14.
--One estimate suggests that there are about 10,000 regular
three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover.
--Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something:
the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth
for luck.
--St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17 because that is
the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed that
he died on March 17 in the year 461 AD. It is also a worldwide celebration of
Irish culture and history.
--The actual color of St. Patrick is blue. Green became
associated with St. Patrick's Day during the 19th century. Green, in Irish
legends, was worn by fairies and immortals, and also by people to encourage
their crops to grow.
--The very first St. Patrick's Day parade was not in Ireland.
It was in Boston in 1737.
--In Chicago, on St. Patrick's Day, the rivers are dyed green.
In Seattle, there is a ceremony where a green stripe is
painted down the roads.
--In Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, people traditionally wear a
small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps. Children wear orange, white
and green badges, and women and girls wear green ribbons in their hair.
--The phrase, "Drowning The Shamrock" is from the
custom of floating the shamrock on the top of whiskey before drinking it. The
Irish believe that if you keep the custom, then you will have a prosperous
year.
--Many bars in the United States, and abroad, serve green beer
to celebrate St. Patty's Day.
--Lucky Charms, a favorite cereal brand among many, young and
old, was created in 1963, with its popular mascot, Lucky the Leprechaun.
--The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in the United
States on March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the English military
marched through New York City.
--More than 100 St. Patrick’s Day parades are held across the
United States. New York City and Boston are home to the largest celebrations.
--At the annual New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade,
participants march up 5th Avenue from 44th Street to 86th Street.
--Each year, between 150,000 and 250,000 marchers take part in the parade, which does not allow automobiles or floats.
