Current mood: satisfied

Don't Believe Everything You HearStarting our list of interesting St. Patrick's Day trivia are those myths and legends known affectionately as blarney in Ireland:
St. Patrick did not drive the snakes out of Ireland. They probably never had snakes on the Emerald Isle in the first place.
"When Irish Eyes are Smiling" isn't a popular Irish ballad. It was composed by an American.
St. Patrick is not the quintessential Irishman. He was born in Wales. In fact, he wasn't even particularly Christian until after his six-year exile in Ireland.
The shamrock isn't a real plant. Rather, the plant is a type of clover that grows in Ireland.
Leprechauns aren't cute little sprites. They're evil, mean-spirited little creatures that perform treacherous deceptions to keep you away from that pot of gold.
The national symbol of Ireland is the Celtic harp, not the shamrock.
St. Patrick's Day Trivia for Number LoversAmerica has a long history of Irish immigration, with most of our Irish ancestors coming to our eastern shores during the Irish potato famine in the mid-1840s. Here are a few facts about those ancestors and their descendants:
Since 1820, almost 5 million Irish citizens have immigrated to the U.S. legally.
Almost 34 million current U.S. residents claim some Irish ancestry.
The largest concentrations of Americans with Irish ancestry are in Massachusetts (Middlesex and Norfolk counties).
A total of nine American towns are called Dublin, with the largest in California.
In Delaware, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the leading ancestry group is Irish.
U.S. Presidents with Irish ancestry include John Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. In Canada, statesman Thomas D'Arcy McGee and recent Prime Minister Brian Mulroney were of Irish descent.
About 30% of Australians claim Irish ancestry.
During the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s, 75% of Irish immigrants landed in New York.
More St. Patrick's Day TriviaHere are some more tidbits that you can use to quiz your friends:
St. Patrick's Day parades have a history that goes back hundreds of years, but didn't originate in Ireland. The parade in Dublin has a scant 50-year history, while those in Montreal and New York City go back almost 200 and 300 years respectively.
Since 1980, the Irish president has presented a shamrock to the U.S. President in a White House ceremony held annually around St. Patrick's Day.
Until her death in 2002, the Queen Mother presented a bowl of shamrocks to the Irish Guards, a regiment of the British Army.
Irish gays and lesbians are banned from marching in the Dublin St. Patrick's Day parade.
Corned beef and cabbage is not a favorite St. Patrick's Day dish in Ireland. It's an American dish. The Irish prefer ham or bacon.
Some very famous authors were Irish. Did you know that James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, William Butler Yeats, Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde were all Irish?
I foud this at: http://www.fridgedoor.info/spring-celebrations/st-patricks-day.php
Also....History of St. Patrick's DayAlthough Irish historians may never know exactly where St. Patrick lived in Ireland and how he managed to convert so many Irish people to Christianity, some legends about the Irish patron saint have yet to be disputed. Find out how he used the shamrock in his teaching and how his feast day is celebrated around the world.Symbols of St. Patrick's Day Although garlands of shamrocks adorn every Irish pub and household on St. Patrick's Day, you may be surprised to know that the official emblem of Ireland is the Celtic or Irish harp. Satisfy your curiosity about leprechauns, shillelaghs and all things Irish.St. Patrick's Day FoodNothing beats a great Irish stew, a thick slice of fried soda bread or authentic boxty. Be sure to plan ahead: some of the key ingredients may have to be ordered straight from the Emerald Isle!St. Patrick's Day DrinksNo, a case of Coors and a bottle of green food coloring isn't the best way to impress your Irish friends. Bone up on authentic Irish drinks like Guiness stout, Harp lager, Bushmills whiskey and Bailey's Irish Crème—and a recipe for real Irish coffee.St. Patrick's Day ActivitesIf you're planning a trip in March, why not take in the four-day festival planned around St. Patrick's Day in Dublin? If you don't have time for a trip abroad, consider celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Boston, New York or Montreal. Bundle up in green woolen clothing and prepare to dance and sing with the millions of others who celebrate the wearing o' the green.
I found this at: http://www.stpatrickstraditions.com/index.php