A Pot of Golden Knowledge: 10 Irish-Themed Facts for St. Patrick’s Day

Ah, St. Patrick's Day: a time when pints of Guinness flow freely and everyone claims a bit of Irish heritage (even St. Patrick wasn’t Irish!)

But, did you know this holiday has roots going back to over 1,500 years? March 17th marks the death of Ireland's patron saint in 461 AD. It has since morphed from a modest religious observance into a global celebration of Irish culture.

Before you rock your green attire and join the festivities this year, let’s take a little journey through some fun facts about the Emerald Isle.

1 - Halloween’s Irish Roots

We naturally think of St. Patrick's Day as the holiday associated with Ireland. But, some of us might forget that another holiday has its roots in this country: Halloween! Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"), meaning "summer's end,” marking the end of the harvest season. This festival is also where jack-o'-lanterns got their start, although they were originally carved from turnips, not pumpkins.

2 - The Harp is Ireland’s Official Symbol

Contrary to popular belief, the shamrock is not Ireland's official symbol. That honor belongs to the Celtic harp, which appears on Irish passports and euro coins. Ireland is the only country in the world with a musical instrument as its national emblem.

3 - Titanic's Last Irish Goodbye

The RMS Titanic made its final stop in Cobh (then known as Queenstown) in County Cork before it set sail across the Atlantic Ocean. Little did those waving goodbye know it would be the ship's final farewell before its tragic maiden voyage. Cobh has a museum experience dedicated to the Titanic and its last port of call.

4 - Ireland’s Redhead Pride

If you're sporting a crown of red hair, you're in good company in Ireland. An impressive 10-15% of the Irish population have ginger locks, outshining even their Scottish neighbors who clock in at about 6%.

5 - Ireland's Ancient Wonder: Newgrange

Newgrange, a 5,200-year-old passage tomb in County Meath, predates both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. This ancient wonder showcases the advanced architectural skills of Ireland's early inhabitants and proves that the Emerald Isle was ahead of its time.

6 - The Oldest Pub in Ireland

Established around 900 AD, Sean's Bar in Athlone is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as Ireland's oldest pub. It's currently in the running for the title of the Oldest Pub in the World. According to Sean’s Bar’s website, research is still ongoing, but so far, nothing older has been found. One thing’s for sure though, after 1,100 years, they must pour the perfect pint!

7 - St. Patrick Wasn’t Irish

Here's a head-scratcher for you! St. Patrick, Ireland's beloved patron saint, wasn't actually Irish. He was born in Britain with the name Maewyn Succat and he only became Patrick after becoming a priest.

8 - Ireland’s Unique Rainbows

Ever wonder why leprechauns are so obsessed with rainbows? Well, Ireland's unique climate and location make rainbows quite common here! You might even spot a double rainbow if you're extra lucky. No wonder they're always chasing that pot of gold!

9 - Dracula Has Celtic Roots

Hold onto your garlic. Did you know that Bram Stoker, the author behind Dracula, was Irish? Rumor has it that Dracula was partly inspired by Abhartach, an Irish legend about a vampire dwarf king.

10 - The History of the Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is commonly cited as the world’s tallest dog breed. And it’s one of the oldest! References to the breed can be found all the way back to 391 AD, though they may be older. They were originally bred by monks in ancient Ireland to hunt wolves and protect livestock. Now, they're known for being gentle giants. They’re more likely to hunt for cuddles from their human companions!

Happy St. Paddy’s Day

There you have it! A golden pot of knowledge to make you the smartest person at your St. Paddy’s Day gathering. Feel free to share these fun facts, and if anyone asks where you got them from, you’re welcome to say a little leprechaun told you.

Want more St. Patrick’s Day themed trivia? Put your knowledge to the test with our St. Patrick’s Day trivia-on-demand video on YouTube.