St. Patrick's Day Fast Facts: Beyond the Blarney

National Geographic News ^ | March 15, 2005 | Sean Markey

[Rummyfan]

ERIN GO BRAGH!

[CollegeRepublican]

Guinness stout, first brewed by Arthur Guinness in Dublin, Ireland, in 1759, has become synonymous with Ireland and Irish bars. According to the company's Web site, 1,883,200,000 (that's 1.9 billion) pints of Guinness are consumed around the world every year.

I am good for about 300 of those pints a year. More if you count all of those car bombs. :) Plus it helps my heart, I think ;)

[RebelBanker]

At a meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Florida, two years ago, researchers reported that Guinness may be as effective as daily aspirin in reducing the blood clots that cause heart attacks.

Woo-hoo! Drink more Guinness!

[NonValueAdded]

ERIN, GO BRAGHless!

[FeliciaCat]

Any excuse right? ;)

[Semper Paratus]

More if you count all of those car bombs

I'm good for an Irish Car Bomb Thursday night.

[keats5]

I'm not much of a drinker, but I do drink Guinness, because it does seem to make me feel good.

[Fierce Allegiance]

"A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo, and when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine! That`s why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

Cliff Claven

[ladiesview61]

Don't be tacky...you sound like a Kennedy!

[CollegeRepublican]

The Irish Car Bomb is definitely one of the most tasty drinks I can think of; it is like creamy chocolate milk.

In my younger days (like last summer) I did three car bombs right around closing time at a bar in Ocean City Maryland. My friends elected me to take on some local bloke in some hearty chug racing. After three hotly contested chug races, it was sadly (lucky for me) closing time.

[FeliciaCat]

LoL!

[RebelBanker]

Like I really need another excuse!

I usually drink Yuengling porter or black & tan but I can make the sacrifice and switch to Guinness.

"It may help reduce the risk of heart attacks."
"BRILLIANT!"

[Sola Veritas]

Do you know the difference between "Bull" and "Blarney?"

It really is just a matter of style.

Example of Bull: Man speaking to an older but still attractive woman - "Sweetheart, you're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!"

Example of Blarney: Man speaking to same woman - "Tell me darlin, what would be your age so I may know the time in a woman's life when she is most attractive!"

[Anvilhead]

The great wisdom of the Grand Claven is second only to that of Master Yoda.

[missyme]

Since my last name is O'M well I have been around some Hell Raisin Irishmen on St Patty's Day!

Corn Beef, Cabbage, Garlic Mash Potatoes, Green Beer and
"Kiss me I'm Irish Buttons" are Traditional! LOL...

[Fierce Allegiance]

That's blarney - telling a woman she will be uglier (or less beautiful) tomorrow than she is today!

[Road Warrior ‘04]

[KevinDavis]

Chicago is famous for dyeing the Chicago River green on St. Patrick's Day. The tradition began in 1962, when a pipe fitters union—with the permission of the mayor—poured a hundred pounds (45 kilograms) of green vegetable dye into the river. (On the job, the workers often use colored dyes to track illegal sewage dumping.) Today only 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of dye are used, enough to turn the river green for several hours.

According to the Friends of the Chicago River, a local environmental group, more people are likely to view the Chicago River on St. Patrick's Day than on any other day.

The Chicago River is green year round..

[frogjerk]

Mmmmmm...