7 Funny Saint Patrick’s Day Facts Exposed: Green is Not the Original Color?

Saint Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th, is a day filled with parades, green attire, and festivities honoring the patron saint of Ireland. While it started as a religious holiday, it has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture. Here are some interesting and funny Saint Patrick’s Day facts around the world that might tickle your funny bone:

Chicago Dyes Its River Green

One of the most visually striking celebrations takes place in Chicago, where the river is dyed a bright emerald green. The tradition started in 1962 when city pollution-control workers used dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges and realized the green dye might be a great way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. The effect lasts for about five hours, giving the city a magical appearance that has to be seen to be believed.

Saint Patrick Wasn’t Irish

The man who became the patron saint of Ireland, known for converting the island to Christianity in the fifth century, was actually born in Britain, near the current border of Scotland and England. It’s amusing to think that the most Irish of holidays is named after a non-Irish saint!

There Are More Irish People in the USA Than Ireland

The United States boasts a larger Irish population than Ireland itself. Around 33 million Americans claim Irish ancestry, which is roughly seven times the population of Ireland. On Saint Patrick’s Day, everyone seems to find a bit of Irish in them, making it a day where the Irish population seemingly multiplies overnight.

The Original Color Was Blue

It’s hard to imagine Saint Patrick’s Day without the color green, but originally, Saint Patrick was associated with blue. Over the years, green took over due to Ireland’s nickname, “The Emerald Isle,” the green in the Irish flag, and the shamrock, which Saint Patrick used for teaching about the Holy Trinity.

The Shortest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

In the small town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, there is a claim to the title of the “shortest Saint Patrick’s Day parade.” The entire route is only 98 feet (about 30 meters) long, on Bridge Street, which was known as the shortest street in everyday use in the world.

Ireland Used to Close Pubs on Saint Patrick’s Day

Up until the 1970s, Saint Patrick’s Day was considered a strictly religious holiday in Ireland, which meant that pubs were closed for the day. The law was changed in 1970, and since then, the day has been commemorated with plenty of pints of Guinness.

Shamrocks Are Not Lucky 4-Leaf Clovers

Many people associate the Saint Patrick’s Day shamrock with luck and look for the elusive four-leaf clover. However, the traditional Irish shamrock is actually a three-leaf clover. Saint Patrick used it as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity. The four-leaf clover is a rare variation and not a traditional symbol of the holiday, but it’s considered lucky if you find one!

The World’s Largest Shamrock

O’Neill, Nebraska, prides itself on having the world’s largest shamrock painted in the middle of the road. Every Saint Patrick’s Day, they hold a parade, a corned beef and cabbage dinner, and other activities to celebrate, all centered around the giant shamrock.

These funny Saint Patrick’s Day facts showcase the quirky and humorous ways that this day is celebrated around the globe. From green rivers to short parades and everything in between, Saint Patrick’s Day brings out a sense of joy, humor, and a little bit of the luck of the Irish in everyone.