Can you get through this St. Patrick’s Day list in the time it takes to down a Guinness? Go!
UNSPLASH @jonecohen1. St. Patrick, the man who the tradition is named after, was not actually Irish… or named Patrick. Maewyn Succat was born in Great Britain.
2. Corned beef and cabbage, a dish most associated with Irish culture, is more American than anything else. Working class Irish-Americans had the dish often, thanks to the low cost of its materials.
3. On St. Patrick’s day, over 3 million pints are consumed/chugged. Did we mention the holiday was a dry holiday until 1970?!
4. While the population of Ireland is a little more than 4 million, the Irish-American population is a whopping 34 million!
5. The festive parades and highly visible celebrations of St. Patrick begun in America, home of lavish parties and the love of dress-up. Flaunt your most flattering shades of green!
6. But wait! Hate to break the news, but original color of St. Patrick was blue. #mindblown
7. March 17 actually celebrates the day St. Patrick died.
8. The harp, not the shamrock, is the symbol of Ireland. Your chances of finding a four leaf clover? 1 in 10,000.
9. So why the shamrock? St. Patrick purportedly used the shamrock as a symbol of the Holy Trinity—The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
10. When Irish populations first began to migrate to America, they faced harsh discrimination and were seen as second-class citizens. The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day not only unified the Irish populations, but also created a strong sense of solidarity and pride among the Irish that still exists today.
Done? Now here’s are some tips for the best way to enjoy your Guinness.
