St. Patrick’s Day is observed annually on March 17th to honor the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. It’s a day filled with parades, wearing head-to-toe green, and enjoying corned beef and cabbage and Guinness beer. The holiday has been celebrated for over a thousand years and has become a global commemoration of Irish culture and heritage. Whether you’re Irish or not, St. Patrick’s Day is a fun and festive holiday to enjoy with friends and family!

Watch the video below for a special St. Patrick’s Day message from the AIP Marketing Alliance team!

AIPMA has collected some interesting tidbits about the holiday for you to share during the festivities this year.

Surprising Facts About St. Patrick’s Day

• St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish; he was born in Britain.
• The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not held in Ireland but in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, in 1601.
• Until the 1970s, Irish law mandated that pubs be closed on St. Patrick’s Day as it was considered a religious holiday.
• The color initially associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green.
• Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional meal eaten on St. Patrick’s Day in America, but it is not a traditional Irish dish.
• The Chicago River has been dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day every year since 1962.

2023 St. Patrick’s Day by the Numbers

• 174%: Increase in beer sales on St. Patrick’s Day compared to the rest of the year (153% more spirits are sold compared with the average day).
• $1.84 Million: Market value of a leprechaun’s pot of gold.
• $6.85 Billion: Amount spent collectively on St. Patrick’s Day 2023 ($44 per person celebrating).
• 31.5 Million: Number of Americans who claim Irish ancestry, second only to German and 6.4 times Ireland’s population.

We hope you liked these St. Patrick’s Day facts and stats and learned something new. AIPMA wishes you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and encourages you to enjoy responsibly and be safe. Perhaps you can look into ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, as they often offer discounts or promotions on holidays like St. Patrick’s Day. Additionally, some local bars and restaurants may offer free ride programs, so it’s worth checking with establishments in your area.