Half of those celebrating St Patrick’s Day admit they have no idea why they’re doing so. New research, from Paddy Power Games, quizzed Brits on their St Patrick’s Day traditions and knowledge of patron saints.
The Irish gaming brand also asked Brits if they could correctly identify the patron saints of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The English were the worst at identifying their own patron saint, with two in five people unable to correctly name St George as England’s representative.
Those marking the day are likely to play-up their ‘Irishness’, according to the study – 16% are planning to throw out some traditional Irish phrases, such as “craic”, or “top o’ the mornin’ to ya”, with one in 10 attempting the accent too.
