IRISH LEGENDS AND LORE
Which small Irish spirit is known for guarding a pot of gold?
A. Banshee
B. Leprechaun
C. Selkie
D. Druid
B. Leprechaun
What green plant with three small leaves is most often linked with St. Patrick’s Day?
A. Maple leaf
B. Shamrock
C. Pine needle
D. Fern
B. Shamrock
Which Irish singer is famous for the hit song “Nothing Compares 2 U”?
A. Sinéad O’Connor
B. Enya
C. Dolores O’Riordan
D. Celine Dion
A. Sinéad O’Connor
On St. Patrick’s Day, people often wear which color to show their Irish spirit?
A. Red
B. Blue
C. Green
D. Purple
C. Green
What is the capital city of Ireland?
A. Dublin
B. Belfast
C. Cork
D. Galway
A. Dublin
In legend, what did St. Patrick use to explain the Holy Trinity?
A. A golden coin
B. A cloverleaf
C. A shamrock
D. A harp
C. A shamrock
Which leafy green vegetable is often boiled and served with corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day?
A. Cabbage
B. Spinach
C. Lettuce
D. Kale
A. Cabbage
Which Irish actor played James Bond in several films during the 1990s and early 2000s?
A. Liam Neeson
B. Pierce Brosnan
C. Colin Farrell
D. Daniel Craig
B. Pierce Brosnan
Which kind of event is commonly held in many cities on St. Patrick’s Day?
A. Silent retreat
B. Fishing contest
C. Parade
D. Tennis match
C. Parade
Ireland is often called the “Emerald Isle” because of what feature?
A. Its many gold mines
B. Its green, rolling landscapes
C. Its blue lakes
D. Its tall mountains
B. Its green, rolling landscapes
The Blarney Stone is said to give people what gift when they kiss it?
A. The gift of good luck
B. The gift of strength
C. The gift of eloquence
D. The gift of music
C. The gift of eloquence
Which green gemstone is often associated with Ireland because of its rich color?
A. Ruby
B. Emerald
C. Sapphire
D. Topaz
B. Emerald
Which Irish writer is known for the play “The Importance of Being Earnest”?
A. James Joyce
B. W. B. Yeats
C. Oscar Wilde
D. George Bernard Shaw
C. Oscar Wilde
In the United States, which meal is especially popular on St. Patrick’s Day, even though it is more Irish American than truly Irish?
A. Tacos and rice
B. Corned beef and cabbage
C. Fried chicken and biscuits
D. Spaghetti and meatballs
B. Corned beef and cabbage
Which large river flows through the middle of Ireland and is the longest river in the country?
A. Thames
B. Seine
C. Shannon
D. Rhine
C. Shannon
Which mythical creature from Irish stories is known for its haunting wail?
A. Kelpie
B. Banshee
C. Changeling
D. Fairy queen
B. Banshee
In many cities, a famous river is dyed green each year in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. What is the name of this river in Chicago?
A. Hudson River
B. Chicago River
C. Ohio River
D. Mississippi River
B. Chicago River
Which Irish singer is the lead vocalist of the rock band U2 and is also known for his charity work?
A. Bono
B. Phil Lynott
C. Van Morrison
D. Bob Geldof
A. Bono
In modern St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, what playful “punishment” might you get if you are not wearing green?
A. You must sing a song
B. You get a gentle pinch
C. You have to leave the party
D. You must wear a hat
B. You get a gentle pinch
Ireland is an island located next to which larger island nation?
A. Iceland
B. Japan
C. Great Britain
D. Greenland
C. Great Britain
In Irish folklore, a “changeling” refers to what?
A. A spirit that guards ancient treasures
B. A stone said to bring peace
C. A fairy child swapped for a human baby
D. A ghost that appears before storms
C. A fairy child swapped for a human baby
Which green herb is often used to garnish Irish dishes like stew and mashed potatoes?
A. Basil
B. Dill
C. Parsley
D. Rosemary
C. Parsley
Which Irish woman became the first female president of Ireland in 1990?
A. Mary McAleese
B. Mary Robinson
C. Éamon de Valera
D. Mairead Corrigan
B. Mary Robinson
St. Patrick’s Day is held each year on March 17 to honor which of the following?
A. The first Irish king
B. The end of winter
C. Ireland’s patron saint
D. The start of spring planting
C. Ireland’s patron saint
The Giant’s Causeway, famous for its unusual stone columns, is found on which part of the island of Ireland?
A. Southern coastline of Ireland
B. Northern coastline of Northern Ireland
C. Eastern edge near Dublin
D. Western shore near Galway
B. Northern coastline of Northern Ireland