Geography
What is the capital of Ireland?
A. Galway
B. Belfast
C. Dublin
D. Limerick
C. Dublin
Following independence in 1922, Dublin became the capital of the Irish Free State, renamed Ireland in 1937.
What nationality was Saint Patrick?
A. British
B. French
C. German
D. Irish
A. British
St. Patrick was born in Britain—not Ireland—to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D.
Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family.
At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. (There is some dispute over where this captivity took place. Although many believe he was taken to live in Mount Slemish in County Antrim, it is more likely that he was held in County Mayo near Killala.)
During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.)
What is the national symbol of Ireland?
Harp
The shamrock is not the national symbol. Contrary to popular belief, the national symbol of Ireland is a harp.
The harp was used in an unofficial flag before the tricolor flag we know today, and later, it became a symbol of the Irish resistance.
The British even prohibited the instrument on the island before Ireland became an independent country.
In the 21st century, the harp is still a symbol of Ireland, but the government must use it facing left because Guinness owns the rights to a harp facing right.
Curiously, Ireland is the only country with a musical instrument as its national symbol.
What U.S. president was the first Irish Catholic to be elected to the office?
JFK
According to folklore, what’s a leprechaun’s occupation?
A. Jokster
B. Baker
C. Cook
D. Shoemaker
D. Shoemaker
Folklore The leprechaun is said to be a solitary creature, whose principal occupation is making and cobbling shoes, and who enjoys practical jokes. In McAnally's 1888 account, the Leprechaun was not a professional cobbler, but was frequently seen mending his own shoes, as "he runs about so much he wears them out" with great frequency.
How many people of Irish Heritage live in the US?
A. 12 million
B. 22 million
C. 32 million
D. 42 million
C. 32 million
Irish is the second most popular ethnicity Americans claim (following German).Nearly 32 million Americans report having Irish heritage, according to the census. That’s seven times the population of Ireland, which is an estimated 4.58 million.
What was Saint Patrick framed for riding Ireland of?
A. Bears
B. Mice
C. Rats
D. Snakes
D. Snakes
It has long been recounted that, during his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop (which is now called Croagh Patrick), and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland.
In fact, the island nation was never home to any snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” was really a metaphor for the eradication of pagan ideology from Ireland and the triumph of Christianity. Within 200 years of Patrick’s arrival, Ireland was completely Christianized.
What became legal in 1997 in Ireland?
A. Prostitution
B. Drinking age 16
C. Divorce
D. Marriage at 14
C – Divorce became legal in Ireland in 1997
What's the average number of drinks consumed per person on St. Patrick’s Day?
A. 2.3
B. 4.2
C. 8.1
D. 12.4
B. 4.2
According to Wallethub, how many pints of Guinness are consumed on St. Patrick’s Day?
A. More than 1 million worldwide
B. More than 6 million worldwide
C. More than 13 million worldwide
D. More than 19 million worldwide
C. More than 13 million worldwide
How many towns in the U.S. are named Shamrock?
A. 4 Towns
B. 13 Towns
C. 20 Towns
4. 26 Towns
B. There are 13 towns in the United States named Shamrock (after the floral emblem of Ireland):
Even though it’s a big drinking day now, St. Paddy's Day used to be a dry holiday up until what decade?
A. 1950s
B. 1960s
C. 1970s
D. 1980s
C. 1970s
The Irish have a tri-coloured flag of orange, white and green, what do they represent?
The Orange represents the protestants, the Green represents the Catholics, and the White represents HOPE that they will find peace between them
Approximately how many pubs per person are there said to be to in Ireland?
A. 1 to every 100
B. 1 to every 350
C. 1 to every 750
D. 1 to every 1000
B – 1 pub for every 350 people
St. Patty’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, which is the anniversary of what?
Saint Patrick’s death, not his birthday, like some people assume.
What iconic structure turns green to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in England?
A. Big Ben
B. Buckingham Palace
C. The London Eye
D. The Shard
C. London Eye
FREEBIE
FREEBIE
What percentage of Irish people have red hair?
A. 2 percent
B. 9 percent
C. 14 percent
D. 22 percent
B. 9 percent
About 9% of the Irish have red hair
Contrary to popular belief, most Irish people do not have red hair. In fact, only 9% of the Irish population are red-headed.
The majority of them have either brown or blonde hair.
However, this is an interesting Ireland fact because although red locks account for less than 10% of the country’s total population, it’s still much more than the world average of 2%
What American city has dyed its river green every St. Patrick's Day since 1962?
Chicago
What do the three leaves of a shamrock represent according to Irish tradition?
The Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
What US State is home to the largest percentage of Irish Americans?
New York (13%) compared to 11% Nationwide
What was the color originally associated with Saint Patrick's Day?
Blue
While green is the color most people today associate with St. Patrick’s Day, the color blue was the original color of the holiday, according to Elizabeth Stack, Ph.D., the executive director of the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany, New York, and James Deutsch, Ph.D., a curator at the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. In fact, a National Museum of Ireland spokesperson told VERIFY that the color blue is considered the official color of Ireland.
So where did green come from?
“After the Irish Rebellion in 1798, the Irish soldiers differentiated themselves from the British (who are wearing red clothing) by wearing full green uniforms. The shamrock on their hats was a symbol of rebellion."
PLOT TWIST: This day in History Question....
Which famous jazz musician was born on March 17th 1919?
Nat King Cole
Irish soda bread uses what ingredient for leavening instead of yeast?
Baking Soda
Which best-selling Irish band features Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton, the Edge and Bono?
U2