St. Patrick's Day Parties and Facts

1. The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Boston in 1737.

2. The phrase, "Drowning The Shamrock" is from the custom of floating the shamrock on the top of whiskey before drinking it. The Irish believe that if you keep the custom, then you will have a prosperous year.

3. In Chicago, on St. Patrick's Day, the rivers are dyed green. In New York, our rivers are green, but not by choice.

4. Legend has it, if you kiss the Blarney Stone, it is believed you will be given the "Gift of the Gab." Ever heard of Kathy Griffin? You get our point.

5. There are 34 million U.S. residents who claim Irish ancestry. This number is almost nine times the population of Ireland itself (3.9 million). Irish is the nation’s second most frequently reported ancestry after German.

6. Surprisingly, St. Patrick’s Day is supposed to be a religious holiday. Irish Catholics begin their day by attending mass and shops and businesses are closed to give everyone a day off to be spent with family and friends. We think barrels of sacrificial wine must be passed around at mass to keep these folks packing it in.

7. St. Patrick himself was not Irish, but English.

8. In the grounds of Downpatrick Cathedral, a large stone slab marks the grave of three saints, St. Colomb, St. Bridget and St. Patrick, who between them were responsible for converting the pagan Irish to Christianity. St. Patrick is the most famous of them all. In honor of his memory, the town of Downpatrick holds an annual parade, drawing more than 15,000 people.

9. Over 40% of the United States Presidents had Irish ancestors. At least 37% of US Presidents (16 out of 43) were alcoholics. Coincidence? I think not.

10. Irish legend has it you can track a leprechaun (a fairy resembling small shoe cobbler) by the sound of his hammer. Once you catch the bugger, threaten torture if he doesn’t tell you where his treasure is. Unfortunately, robbing shoemakers is no longer accepted practice in the United States.