St Patrick’s Day’s growing celebrity

St Patrick would only be proud of the way his special day has grown in stature all across the globe, with landmarks in various countries all lit-up in green to celebrate the day.

This global celebration of Ireland – or more accurately, Irish drink – has been celebrated in lots of different and innovative ways.

In Chicago, for example, they dye the river green for the day.

While Paddy’s Day is the biggest drinking occasion in the US calendar, outdrinking even Mardi Gras, less than 10% of US citizens can claim Irish heritage.

And in the UK, one estimate puts the number of celebratory pints being served in pubs there at 14 million on the day itself, with Irish pubs across the capital reportedly packed-out.

Globally, there are reckoned to be about 7,000 Irish-themed pubs and bars.