What’s the best way to commemorate any celebration? Why, playing a trivia game dedicated to it, of course! And, if our calendar is set right, we’re soon to see loads of green, at least a few leprechauns, and spill a dozen Guinnesses - it’s about time for Saint Paddy’s Day! So, without any further fussing, we’ve allowed ourselves to once again merge two of everyone’s favorites and created a list dedicated to St. Patrick’s Day trivia.
But before we jump right to the St. Patrick’s day questions and answers, we should probably do some basic fact-digging. Think of it as preparation for what’s to come. So, for starters, we should learn Paddy’s real name - Maewyn Succat. With that under our belts, we should also know that he lived sometime in the 5th century and was born Romano-British. As the story tells it (you’ll definitely find this question in our St. Patrick’s Day quiz!), then-Maewyn was abducted by Irish raiders and brought back to the Emerald Isle only to find God there. After spending some time herding sheep there, he came back to Britain, but the urge to come back to Ireland and drive away the very proverbial “snakes” (a.k.a. Pagan religion), was strong, and that’s what he did. Later on, he got his now-name, Patrick, from a Pope, and after that, it was a safe journey to becoming the patron saint of Ireland. This story is, of course, a very abbreviated one, but if you find yourself stuck on one or two of our St. Patrick’s Day trivia questions, you can always scroll back here for reference!
Now, grab something green, sing an Irish tune, and let’s get straight to the fun trivia below! Each of our questions has the answer provided in the comments section under it, but don’t cheat! Guess first, then check the answers! Rank the questions to your liking, and share this St. Patrick’s Day trivia with the people you’d like to play it with.
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About how many Americans claim to have some Irish ancestry?
What are the odds of finding a "lucky" four-leaf clover?
If you are in a clover field, extremely high! They are not as rare as you might think. There is actually a world record for most 4 leafed clover collected in an hour and it was like 160 of them! 5 Leafed clovers are a little more rare with around 1 in 25,000 clovers being 5 leafed. There are even 6, 7 & 8 leafed clovers and more.
According to Irish folklore, what will you find at the end of a rainbow?
What is a boxty?
A potato pancake, and an integral part of my breakfast! Mashed potato and grated raw potato, tossed about a bit with some flour, add a bit of milk, mix it up and make little patties. Fry them in (preferably) a cast iron pan and cook it until a beautiful golden colour.
What's the average number of drinks consumed per person on St. Patrick’s Day?
In my family... About 20, but that's only because I bring the average down as I don't drink.
Which European city held an Irish Festival over St Patrick’s Day weekend in 2015 that lasted 3 days?
Ireland's St. Patrick's Day Festival 2022 reached an audience of how many people?
Where and when was the first St. Paddy’s Day parade in America?
Boston in 1737. (In Ireland, the first St. Patrick's Day parade wouldn't take place until the early 20th century!)
How many people visit New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral each year?
What American city has dyed its river green every St. Patrick's Day since 1962?
What is the national flower/emblem of Ireland?
1. We don't have a national flower, we have a plant. The shamrock. 2. The national emblem is the Celtic Harp on a blue (Azure) background.
Which breakfast cereal has “Lucky the Leprechaun” as its mascot?
What cheerful Irish greeting is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day?
Which is a dry stout drink that is famous in Ireland?
Murphy's, O'Hara's, Beamish, Guinness... Although the debate over whether is counts as a dry stout if it's nitrogenated continues.
Why, traditionally, do people wear green on Saint Patrick’s day?
Because, for a long time, under British rule/Penal Laws, wearing a shamrock, or any green, was outlawed and doing so resulted in the execution of the wearer (ethnic Irish.)
How many countries observe and celebrate St Patrick’s Day?
In which year did St Patrick's Day officially become a public holiday in Ireland?
What's the highest number of leaves ever recorded on a single clover stem?
What does “Erin go bragh” mean?
Often mistakenly believed to be the countries official motto, however we don't actually have an official motto.
How many pounds of green vegetable dye is now used to turn the Chicago River green?
What is another name for Ireland?
How many days does Dublin’s annual St. Patrick’s Day festival last?
Five. "The St. Patrick's Day Festival in Dublin is a five-day event of outstanding Irish and international entertainments, with a huge street carnival held on the 17th March with parades along O'Connell Street and through the centre of Ireland." https://www.discoveringireland.com/st-patricks-day-events-in-ireland/
Up until the 1970s, pubs were closed in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day—what place was the one exception?
Answer: Beer vendors were allowed at the big national dog show, which was always held on St. Patrick's Day.
What was St. Patrick’s name when he was born?
Name a historic site that has been lit up in green on St. Patrick's Day in recent years.
Answer: The Roman Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Sydney Opera House, and the Empire State Building are among the possible correct answers.
St. Patrick was originally associated with what color?
According to the National Retail Federation, what percentage of people plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
Why is St. Patrick's Day celebrated on March 17?
Why do we wear green on St. Patrick's Day?
Who was Saint Patrick?
Answer: He was a missionary who is credited with bringing Christianity to areas of Ireland.
Cultural influence from which country linked leprechauns with celebrations of Saint Patrick's Day?
Why was the name ‘Patrick’ was given to Saint Patrick?
According to a survey by Hallmark, how many Americans exchange cards for St Patrick’s Day?
Which Irish city waited until 1998 before openly celebrating the day with a parade?
Which British city hosts the largest St Patrick’s Day parade in the UK?
What breed of dog often leads, or is part of, St Patrick’s Day parades?
What does a three-leaf shamrock symbolize on St. Patrick’s Day?
Answer: St. Patrick was said to have used the three-leaf clover to demonstrate the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) to potential converts. It can also symbolize love, hope, and faith.
What does the circle at the very center of a Celtic cross represent?
Which Southern city has had a huge St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration since 1813?
Where was the real St. Patrick born?
Nobody knows for sure. There are some records that suggest it could have been Wales, a fair few different places in England, and there are even some records claiming that he was from Kilpatrick in Scotland.
Name the giant, iconic Ferris wheel that turns green to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in England.
How do leprechauns earn their gold?
Originally they were said to have claimed gold from the 'battlefields of old' as their own. Collecting lost gold and trinkets since the ancient times and even stealing it for the kings themselves. During the 1800's the tales changed to show them as cobblers, making and mending shoes. Although this does not explain how they got their gold as coinage was in use by then.
Which pope canonized St. Patrick?
Answer: Trick question! St. Patrick was never canonized by a pope.
What happened to Saint Patrick at age 16 before becoming a priest?
How many people march in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade?
Where is St. Patrick buried?
What 1959 children’s movie helped shape the modern-day image of a leprechaun?
What’s the estimated market value of a leprechaun’s pot of gold (1,000 coins)?
Where you getting the 1,000 coins from? I've never heard that before. But it was always said that it was an unnatural/supernatural/magical wealth of gold, Or sometime just 'the wealth of a king'.
What must a leprechaun divulge if captured?
So firstly, you have to threaten him "With bloody violence" if he refuses to take you to his treasure. Then you must not take your eye off of him or look away, or else he will disappear. He will try to trick you into letting him go or into looking away.
What is the real meaning behind Saint Patrick’s Day?
Answer: It commemorates the arrival of Christianity and Saint Patrick into Ireland.
Which Irish capital city did not officially celebrate the day with a parade until 1931?
It is customary for the Irish prime minister (Taoiseach) to give the U.S. President what symbolic gift on St. Patrick's Day?
When St. Patrick safely escaped from his captors and reached home under the guidance of God, what did he do?
Walked the wilderness for 28 days, Prayed for food, found some boar, ate them, went home, travelled Europe, studied Christianity in France, became a priest, joined a missionary, Travelled to Ireland, got kicked out, went a bit further north, made a few friends (mostly wealthy women) , got put on trial, gave back the gifts the wealthy women gave him, gave gifts to the kings, judges and tribe chiefs (Most definitely NOT a "Bribe"), Left Ireland, came back, converted wealthy women to nuns (I wonder where their money went???), baptised a shed load of people and spread the word of the lord.
Some Irish old stories suggest that St. Patrick's walking stick once miraculously transformed into what object?
Who was the first President of the United States to attend a St. Patrick's Day parade?
In which country is St. Patrick the patron saint?
What is the traditional main dish served at many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America?
Which St. Patrick’s Day activity is more popular: attending a parade or making a special dinner?
What notable mystery book author was Grand Marshall for the New York St. Patrick's Day parade in 2011?
What is the name of the official act that recognizes Saint Patrick’s Day as an Irish public holiday?
When is traditionally considered the best time to sneak up on a leprechaun?
What is the aim of kissing the Blarney stone on Saint Patrick's Day?
If you are looking for a pot of gold and you see a leprechaun with a shillelagh, what does this mean?
Until the 1960s, what laws were imposed on Irish bars in Ireland on St Patrick’s Day?
What is the slang term for the day among the Irish and those with Irish ancestry?
What year did the annual shamrock ceremony begin in the White House?
The international spread of St Patrick’s Day is in part due to mass emigration from Ireland in 1845 due to a famine. How is this famine better known?
The original Irish name for Leprechauns is ‘Lobaircin,’ what does this mean?
A bell was removed from St.Patrick's tomb, 60 years after he died. What is this bell called?
Are the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion the only churches which venerate St. Patrick?
True or false? Saint Patrick drove out hordes of snakes from Ireland?
True, he drove them out and thats why you will not be seeing snakes in Ireland today roaming around biting our lovely Tourists 🍀☘ happy St Patricks day 🍀☘🥂💚
It's annoying to me,when the questions are already posed by the person who put the thread together. That's my opinion
It's annoying to me,when the questions are already posed by the person who put the thread together. That's my opinion