St Patrick's Day Fun Facts

Blue was the first color associated with the holiday but was changed to green in the 17th century to represent Ireland's flag and lush landscape.

Revelers in the 1700s believed green made you invisible to leprechauns, who would pinch and steal anyone they could see (i.e. not wearing green).

According to Irish legend, St. Patrick used a three-leaf clover to illustrate the idea of the Holy Trinity (not good luck, as with four leaves).

McDonald's Shamrock Shake is a deliciously minty drink that was first introduced in 1970 but is now only available in the month of March.

Chicago has dyed its river green for St. Patrick’s Day every year since 1962.

The first St. Paddy’s Parade didn’t take place in Ireland but in the U.S. in 1762.

Because its brew has been tantamount to Ireland and Irish bars, this beer has become the unofficial drink of the holiday.

Though cabbage has historically been a staple of the Irish diet, it was originally eaten with Irish bacon, not corned beef.

You may hear revelers raise their stout and yell “slainté!” (SLAN-cheh), the Irish word for health.