By Rebecca True

How well do you know the history and legends around St. Patrick’s Day? See if you can answer these questions.

Where was the first St. Patrick’s day Parade?
The First St. Patrick’s Day parade actually took place in Boston in 1737. The first parade in Ireland didn’t take place until 193. It was held in Dublin.

What was St. Patrick’s given name?
Maewyn Succat.

What was St. Patrick known for, according to legend?
According to legend, St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. It’s true there are no snakes in Ireland, but it is believed by scientists and historians that there never were.

Originally St. Patrick’s Day was not a celebration of Irish culture. What was it?
St. Patrick’s Day was originally a religious celebration.

What country has an estimated higher population of people of Irish decent than Ireland?
The United States! There are an estimated 4.4 million people claiming Irish decent.

What are the colors of flag of Ireland?
The colors are white, green and orange. Green stands for the south (or the Catholic communities), orange is for the North (or the Protestant communities), and the white is for the peace that binds them together.

In Irish folklore, what is the traditional profession of a Leprechaun?
A leprechaun is traditionally a shoemaker.

St. Patrick used the clover as his symbol. What did the three leaves stand for?
According to history, St. Patrick considered the three leaves on a clover to be a representation of the Holy Trinity ~ the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

What famous Irish dry stout is served on St. Patrick’s Day?
Guinness. According to the company, an estimated 13 million pints of Guinness were consumed on St. Patrick’s Day in 2010.

What do you have to do to get luck from the Blarney Stone?
You have to kiss it. According to legend, people who have kissed the Blarney Stone have been healed of illnesses and experienced other miracles.

Some fun Irish facts:

• The original color used to represent St. Patrick’s Day was blue, not green.
• In the United States, there are four places named Shamrock and nine named Dublin.
• The largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration takes place in New York City, with last year’s celebrants estimated at more than 150,000.
• The capital of Ireland ~ Dublin ~ is one of the most visited capitals in Europe, after Paris and London.
• On St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, some of the rivers are dyed green in celebration.
• If you aren’t wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day, you can be pinched.
• President John F. Kennedy was the first Irish-American Catholic elected to the presidency.

Now, take your new knowledge and get out there and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!