15 Fun St. Patrick’s Day Facts You Might Not Know
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about wearing green and celebrating with parades—it’s packed with history, traditions, and surprising facts!
Here are 15 fun St. Patrick’s Day facts to impress your friends and boost your holiday spirit.
1. St. Patrick Wasn’t Irish
Believe it or not, St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain, not Ireland! He was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave before escaping and later returning as a missionary.
2. The Holiday Commemorates His Death
St. Patrick’s Day marks the anniversary of his death on March 17, 461 AD.
3. The Shamrock Was a Teaching Tool
St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the Irish.
4. Green Wasn’t Always the Color of St. Patrick’s Day
Originally, blue was associated with St. Patrick. Green became popular due to Ireland’s nickname, “The Emerald Isle,” and the shamrock’s connection to the holiday.
5. The First St. Patrick’s Day Parade Was in the U.S.
The first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in 1601 in St. Augustine, Florida—not Ireland!
6. Chicago Dyes Its River Green
Since 1962, Chicago has dyed its river bright green for St. Patrick’s Day. The environmentally safe dye lasts for several hours.
7. It’s a Public Holiday in Ireland
St. Patrick’s Day is an official public holiday in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland, and Montserrat.
8. Guinness Sales Skyrocket
On St. Patrick’s Day, over 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed worldwide!
9. There’s No Corn in Corned Beef
The “corn” in corned beef refers to large salt crystals used in the curing process, not actual corn.
10. Leprechauns Come from Irish Folklore
Leprechauns are based on Irish mythology. These mischievous fairies are said to hide their pots of gold at the end of the rainbow.
11. St. Patrick’s Real Name Wasn’t Patrick
His birth name was Maewyn Succat. He changed it to Patrick when he became a priest.
12. Irish-Americans Made Corned Beef & Cabbage a Tradition
In Ireland, the traditional meal was bacon and cabbage. Irish immigrants in America swapped bacon for the more affordable corned beef.
13. Millions of People Claim Irish Ancestry
Over 31 million Americans have Irish ancestry, which is nearly seven times the population of Ireland!
14. The Irish Prime Minister Visits the White House
Every year, Ireland’s leader presents the U.S. president with a bowl of shamrocks as a sign of friendship.
15. It’s One of the Biggest Drinking Holidays
St. Patrick’s Day is among the top drinking holidays in the U.S., alongside New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July.
