March 17 is the anniversary of St. Patrick’s birth.
Blarney. It is the anniversary of his death. St. Patrick’s birth date is unknown.
St. Patrick was born in Ireland.
Blarney. He was born in Britain and lived there until he was a teenager.
The Fighting Irish is the name of the Princeton University football team.
Blarney. Notre Dame’s athletic teams are the Fighting Irish. Princeton’s athletic teams are the Tigers.
Ireland is approximately half the size of Arkansas.
Truth. Ireland’s total land area is 27,135 square mile. Arkansas is approximately 53,182 square miles. Ireland is about the size of South Carolina.
The Chicago River is dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day.
Truth. The tradition was started in 1961.
. If you take your eyes off a leprechaun, he will disappear forever.
Truth. According to legend, once you capture a leprechaun, be sure to keep your eyes on him.
The steeplechase horse race started in Ireland.
Truth. The steeplechase originated in Ireland in the 18th century. It was called “steeplechase” because the church steeple was used as a landmark.
The Irish wolfhound is the only dog breed that originated in Ireland.
Blarney. There are many Irish breeds, including the Irish spaniel, Irish terrier, & Irish setter.
The dandelion is often called the “Irish daisy.”
Truth.
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.
The national color of Ireland is green.
Blarney. Although green is associated with Ireland, the official national color of Ireland is blue.
St. Patrick was a sheepherder before becoming a missionary.
Truth. During his captivity as a slave, he was a sheepherder in the mountains of Ireland. He escaped and fled to Britain. He later became a bishop.
If you kiss the Blarney Stone, you might spill the beans.
Truth. When you kiss the Blarney Stone, you receive the gift of gab.
Paddy is the common nickname for the name Philip.
Blarney. It is a nickname for people named Patrick.
A leprechaun is really an Irish teacher.
Blarney. He’s a shoemaker.