Ireland
Bites & Brews
Irish Slang
St. Patrick's Day
Irish Traditions
Irish Inventions
100
What is the commonly known nickname for Ireland?
The Emerald Isles
100
What vegetable is most associated with Ireland?
Potatoes
100
What does "Stall the ball" mean in Ireland?
If you ask someone to ‘Stall the ball’ you’re asking them to hang on/wait. For example, ‘Here, stall the ball – I’ll be ready in 10’.
100
What mythical creature is said to hide pots of gold at the end of a rainbow in Irish folklore?
Leprechaun
100
What traditional Irish symbol represents luck and is often four-leafed?
Four-leaf clover
100
What famous dark beer, first brewed in Dublin in 1759, was invented in Ireland?
Guinness
200
What is the capital city of Ireland?
Dublin
200
What Irish stout is famous worldwide and often associated with St. Patrick’s Day?
Guinness Beer
200
What does "Lob the gob" refer to in Ireland?
‘Lob the gob’ is used to describe kissing someone. For example, ‘He’s in trouble today – wasn’t he seen lobbing the gob last night’.
200
Which U.S. city dyes its river green for St. Patrick’s Day?
Chicago
200
What plant is St. Patrick said to have used to explain the Holy Trinity?
Shamrock
200
What type of transport first used air-filled tires invented by an Irishman?
The bicycle
300
Ireland's Great Famine, which lasted from 1845 to 1852, started with a massive destruction of what staple crop by the fungus-like organism Phytophthora infestans?
Potatoes
300
What vegetable often appears alongside corned beef in Irish meals?
Cabbage
300
What does "The Jacks" refer to in Ireland?
‘The jacks’ are what many of us call the toilet in Ireland. For example, ‘I’ll be there in a minute I need to use the jacks’.
300
What did St. Patrick supposedly drive out of Ireland?
According to legend, St. Patrick supposedly drove out snakes from Ireland during his mission to convert the Irish people to Christianity in the 5th century. This story is often used to explain the absence of snakes in the country, as Ireland has never had native snakes.
300
What do the Irish traditionally eat on St. Patrick’s Day?
Corned beef and cabbage
300
What special biscuit, often eaten as a snack or with tea, was invented in Ireland?
Digestive biscuit
400
What Irish dance, performed solo or in groups, is famous worldwide?
Irish stepdance/Tap Dance
400
What Irish whiskey brand is one of the oldest and most famous?
Jameson
400
What does "Eejit" refer to in Ireland?
One of the more famous Irish insults, an ‘Eejit’ is someone that’s foolish or someone that has done something foolish.
400
Which city has the biggest St Patrick’s Day parade?
The city with the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade is New York City, which attracts around 2 million spectators each year.
400
What is the Irish tradition "Handfasting", and why is it believed to have inspired the expression “tie the knot”?
Handfasting is an ancient Celtic marriage ritual in which a couple’s hands are literally tied together with cords or ribbons to symbolize their union. This ceremony was often performed outdoors and sometimes served as a trial marriage before formal vows.
400
What tasty drink made with milk was invented by an Irish doctor?
Chocolate Milk - invented by Sir Hans Sloane, an Irish physician. He discovered the drink while in Jamaica and found that mixing chocolate with milk improved its taste and texture. Sloane brought this innovative recipe back to Europe, where it gained popularity and became a beloved beverage
500
What is the Irish musical genre featuring storytelling and ballads?
Folk music
500
What Irish dish is made with lamb cooked slowly in broth?
Irish Stew
500
What does "Banjaxed" refer to in Ireland?
‘Banjaxed’ is one of several Irish phrases used to describe something/someone as ‘Broke/in a bad way’. For example, ‘That oven is banjaxed’ or ‘I was banjexed this morning after those pints last night’.
500
What percent of Canadas population is of Irish descent?
Almost 13%
500
This Irish tradition involves wearing green on St. Patty's Day to avoid being ____?
Pinched! As the tradition goes, wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is supposed to make you invisible to leprechauns. They will pinch you as soon as you come upon their radar if you don't wear green!
500
In 1954, Joseph ‘Spud’ Murphy from Ireland invented what flavoured snacks?
Crisps (chips) - The only flavor of crisp available before his innovation was salt.
600
What is the national emblem of Ireland?
The harp
600
What creamy liqueur made with Irish whiskey and cream is popular in coffee?
Baileys Irish Cream
600
What does "C'mere to me" refer to in Ireland?
The Irish slang words ‘C’mere to me’ aren’t actually used to ask someone to come closer to you – they’re generally used before you ask a question.
For example, "C’mere to me, what was that new mechanic like."
600
What color was originally associated with St. Patrick before green became popular?
Blue - Historically, St. Patrick was shown wearing blue, symbolizing spiritual clarity and sovereignty, and this color appeared in early Irish coats of arms.
Green became linked to him later, through the shamrock and Ireland’s nickname, the “Emerald Isle."
600
For Irish Soda Bread to be lucky, what must you do before baking it?
You have to cut a cross on the top to let the devil out (as well as to release steam during cooking)
600
What type of photographic printing, invented by an Irish scientist, captures colors as we see them in real life?
Color photography
700
On April 11, 1912 Francis Browne was on a pier in Ireland when he took one of the last known photos of what object?
The Titanic
700
What bread is made with baking soda instead of yeast in Ireland?
Soda bread
700
What is the term for a young Irish woman or girl?
Colleen - In Irish Gaelic, cailín directly translates to “girl” or “young woman” and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.
700
What popular Irish-themed cereal has the tagline "They're magically delicious" ?
Lucky Charms Cereal
700
In Irish tradition, what is a “banshee” and what is it believed to do?
A banshee is a mythical Irish creature that foretells death by wailing
700
What safety invention, used in fighter aircraft to eject pilots in emergencies, was developed by an Irish engineer?
Ejector seat
800
What is the Irish name for the ancient Celtic language of Ireland?
Gaelic
800
What Irish dish is made by layering mashed potatoes, minced lamb, and sometimes onions, baked in a dish?
Shepherd’s pie
800
What does “Craic” refer to in Ireland?
The word ‘Craic’ can be used to describe something as ‘Fun’, for example, ‘Last night was some craic!’.
You can also ask ‘What’s the craic/Any craic?’ as a greeting, which means ‘What’s going on?’ or ‘Any news/gossip?’.
800
Who is Saint Patrick?
The patron saint of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.
800
On Christmas morning, what daring tradition do some Irish people participate in along the coasts?
A Christmas morning swim
800
What farming machine used to harvest crops was invented by Irishman Harry Ferguson?
The tractor
900
What is the name of the traditional Irish sport played with sticks and a ball?
Hurling
900
What term describes a beer served with a thick, creamy head in Ireland?
Draft or Stout
900
What does "Yoke" refer to in Ireland?
We use the word ‘Yoke’ as a substitute for the word ‘Thing’ or to describe someone that we don’t like.
For example, ‘Don’t forget the yoke’ or ‘Karen’s brother is some yoke!’.
900
Legend says that each leaf of the shamrock represents something different - what do the 4 leaves represent?
Faith, Hope, Love and Luck!
900
What is the Irish custom of “first-footing” on New Year’s meant to do?
Bring luck to the household, usually by being the first visitor after midnight
900
Irishman John Philip Holland invented what modern underwater vessel?
Submarine
1000
What capital of Northern Ireland features a statue of "Alec the Goose," a Canada goose once famous for walking local children to school?
Belfast
1000
What is included in the Irish drink "Hot Toddy"
Irish whiskey, lemon, sugar, and hot water
1000
What does a "Dosser" refer to in Ireland?
‘Dosser’ is one of the Irish expressions that you hear in schools around Ireland, and it’s used to describe someone that’s doing anything other than what they should be doing.
You’ll often hear it used to describe people that are lazy and that are avoiding doing any work. For example, ‘Stop dossing and do your work, you little dosser’.
1000
How many pints of Guinness are sold around the world on St Paddy’s Day?
Approximately 13 million pints
1000
In Irish tradition, what is a “clootie well”?
A sacred well where people tie cloths to ask for healing or wishes
1000
What portable device that delivers a life-saving shock to restart the heart was invented by an Irish doctor?
The defibrillator