Before we begin this interesting facts story, let us first acknowledge the things we think of when we think of St. Patrick's Day. The list would likely include:

  • Green
  • Leprechauns
  • Beer
  • Shamrocks
  • Cabbage (Nola goes big)
  • Kilts
  • Red hair
  • Anything Irish

Some of these are correct. However, I have discovered some shocking news. Prepare yourself...

  • 1

    St. Patrick wasn't even Irish

    I know, seems like unspeakable blasphemy! Turns out our ole pal St. Patrick, was not Irish. In fact, he was from Wales which means the man was British.

  • 2

    Was his name really 'Patrick?'

    That would be a fat no. The legend we know as St. Patrick was actually born Maewyn Succat (I'll leave it to you to figure it out). We came really close to celebrating St. Maewyn's Day.

  • 3

    We should really be blue

    If you are green, you are doing St. Patrick's Day all wrong. Okay, maybe not. However, for a while blue was the color that came to mind when it came to St. Patrick. The color was changed to green in the 18th century.

  • 4

    The parades started in New York

    Strange, right? One would assume that the St. Patrick's Day parades would have started in some small Irish town. This isn't the case. The first parade was held in New York around the 1760s. Heads up, New Yorkers take the holiday very seriously!

  • 5

    Want to swim in the green water?

    I'm sure you are looking at that question and saying, 'we already do!' And you are correct. However, the folks of Chicago look forward to dying their river green for the holiday; 'kelly' green to be exact. But I don't know if one is allowed to swim...

  • 6

    Guiness beer sales are go through the roof

    Over 5 million pints of it is is consumed every day. On St. Patrick's Day, you can double this number. Why didn't I think of this beer first?! Oh, I wasn't born...

More From 97.3 The Dawg