The Chicago River is dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day.
Truth. The tradition was started in 1961.
The shamrock is the official emblem of Ireland.
Blarney. It is the harp.
If you kiss the Blarney Stone, you might spill the beans.
Truth. When you kiss the Blarney Stone, you receive the gift of gab.
Limerick is the capital of Ireland.
Blarney. Dublin, the largest city in Ireland, is the capital.
A leprechaun is really an Irish teacher.
Blarney. He’s a shoemaker
The Irish wolfhound is the only dog breed that originated in Ireland.
Blarney. There are many Irish breeds, including the Irish spaniel, Irish terrier, and Irish setter.
Boxty is boxed tea.
Blarney. Boxty is an Irish potato pancake.
The dandelion is often called the “Irish daisy.”
Truth.
Corn beef and cabbage is the traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal.
Blarney. The original St. Paddy’s Day meal was boiled bacon and potatoes.
Ireland was the first to have a St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Blarney. New York City held its first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1762. Ireland had its first parade in the early 1900s in Dublin.
Ireland is approximately half the size of Arkansas.
Truth. Ireland’s total land area is 27,135 square miles. Arkansas is approximately 53,182 square miles. Ireland is about the size of South Carolina.
Paddy is the common nickname for the name Philip.
Blarney. It is a nickname for people named Patrick.
According to Irish lore, Saint Patrick rid Ireland of snakes.
Truth. Ireland is one of many countries where there are no snakes.
St. Patrick was born in Ireland.
Blarney. He was born in Britain and lived there until he was a teenager.
A shamrock has 4 cloves.
Blarney. A shamrock has 3 cloves.
If you take your eyes off a leprechaun, he will disappear forever.
Truth. According to legend, once you capture a leprechaun, if you look away and take your eyes off a leprechaun, he will be gone forever.
The national color of Ireland is green.
Blarney. Although green is associated with Ireland, the official national color of Ireland is blue.