Many of the phrases and traditions associated with St Patrick’s Day are now viewed as offensive or outdated by a significant number of people in Ireland, according to a new survey comparing attitudes in Ireland and the United States.
The research by Casino.org Ireland found Irish respondents were far more likely than Americans to take issue with some of the most familiar expressions and customs linked to the holiday.
One of the biggest points of contention was the phrase “St Patty’s Day.” The survey found 58.6% of Irish people say the term is offensive or out of touch, compared with just 10% of Americans.
Another common phrase also drew criticism. 49.7% of Irish respondents said “Top of the mornin’ to ya” is offensive or outdated, compared with 19.2% in the United States.
Controversial traditions
The drink known as an “Irish Car Bomb” also proved divisive. The cocktail — a shot of Irish whiskey and cream liqueur dropped into a pint of stout — takes its name from the bombings during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
According to the survey, 51.2% of Irish respondents said the name is offensive, compared with 24.9% of Americans.
More broadly, 35.4% of Irish people said drinking an “Irish Car Bomb” is offensive or out of touch, while 19.5% of Americans felt the same.
Other traditions also drew criticism. 34.8% of Irish respondents said wearing kilts on St Patrick’s Day is offensive or out of touch, compared with 16.3% in the US.
Americans more critical of some stereotypes
Despite the differences, the survey revealed a few surprises.
In some cases, Americans were actually more likely than Irish respondents to say certain cartoonish traditions are outdated.
For example:
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32.3% of Americans said wearing leprechaun outfits is out of touch, compared with 23.8% of Irish respondents
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30.9% of Americans said fake ginger beards are outdated, compared with 24.9% in Ireland
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27.3% of Americans said dyeing rivers green is out of touch, compared with 19.3% of Irish respondents
St Patrick’s Day still more meaningful in Ireland
Despite the large Irish diaspora in the United States — with 30.7 million Americans claiming Irish ancestry — the holiday appears to carry far more cultural weight in Ireland.
The survey found 51.7% of Irish respondents say St Patrick’s Day is important to their identity.
In the United States, however, the figure was much lower, with just 17.4% saying the holiday is important to their identity.
“Irish for a day” abroad
Irish respondents were also asked whether people abroad only embrace Irish identity around St Patrick’s Day.
The majority said that is often the case.
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36.9% said yes
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42.8% said sometimes
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12.8% said no
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7.4% said they were unsure
That means 79.7% of Irish respondents believe people overseas embrace Irish identity at least occasionally just for St Patrick’s Day.
