Did you know that the very first St Patrick's Day parade in America took place in New York City way back in 1762? That is fourteen years before the Declaration of Independence was even signed. Today, millions gather worldwide every March 17 to celebrate Irish culture, history, and traditions with parades, parties, and plenty of green.
Whether you are a teacher planning an engaging classroom activity, a parent organizing a memorable family trivia night, or someone hosting a St Patrick's Day party, you have come to the right place. Learning about different cultures should be fun and accessible for everyone in the family. That is exactly why we created this comprehensive collection of 80 St Patrick's Day trivia questions and answers.
These questions cover everything from easy shamrock facts that young children will love to challenging Irish history questions that will stump even the biggest Ireland enthusiasts. You will discover fascinating stories about St Patrick himself, learn about beloved Irish traditions, explore fun facts about the Emerald Isle, and test your knowledge of St Patrick's Day celebrations around the world.
Ready to see how much you really know about this beloved holiday? Let us dive into these St Patrick's Day trivia questions that will bring learning, laughter, and a bit of Irish luck to your celebrations.
How to Use These St Patrick's Day Trivia Questions
Before you jump into the questions, here are some tips to make your trivia experience even more enjoyable.
Fun Ways to Play
- Family Game Night: Divide into teams and take turns answering questions. Mix age groups so everyone contributes.
- Classroom Activity: Use as an educational St Patrick's Day quiz with small prizes for participation.
- Party Games: Create a trivia competition at your St Patrick's Day gathering.
- Conversation Starters: Pick individual questions to spark discussions during meals.
Scoring Suggestions
- Easy questions (Q1-Q20): 1 point each
- History questions (Q21-Q35): 2 points each
- Traditions questions (Q36-Q50): 2 points each
- Ireland facts (Q51-Q65): 2 points each
- Challenging questions (Q66-Q80): 3 points each
Start with the easy questions to build confidence, especially when playing with younger children. Reading questions aloud creates better engagement than having everyone read silently.
Easy St Patrick's Day Trivia Questions for Kids
These family-friendly St Patrick's Day trivia questions are perfect for children ages five and up. The questions focus on well-known symbols, colors, and simple facts that make learning about Irish culture fun and accessible for younger players.
Q1. What color is most associated with St Patrick's Day?
Answer: Green
Q2. What is the three-leaf plant symbol of Ireland called?
Answer: Shamrock
Q3. What tiny magical creature is known for hiding pots of gold?
Answer: Leprechaun
Q4. What date is St Patrick's Day celebrated each year?
Answer: March 17
Q5. What do leprechauns hide at the end of a rainbow?
Answer: A pot of gold
Q6. What country is St Patrick's Day originally from?
Answer: Ireland
Q7. What might happen if you do not wear green on St Patrick's Day?
Answer: You might get pinched
Q8. What is the capital city of Ireland?
Answer: Dublin
Q9. What do we call a clover with four leaves?
Answer: A four-leaf clover (it is considered lucky!)
Q10. What traditional Irish instrument looks like a large stringed triangle?
Answer: The harp
Q11. What nickname is Ireland known by because of its green landscapes?
Answer: The Emerald Isle
Q12. What color were leprechauns originally said to wear before green became popular?
Answer: Red
Q13. What do many cities dye green on St Patrick's Day?
Answer: Rivers (like the Chicago River)
Q14. What is the traditional Irish greeting that means "Ireland forever"?
Answer: Erin go bragh
Q15. What magical ability are leprechauns said to have if you catch one?
Answer: They must grant you three wishes (or reveal their treasure)
Q16. What type of event happens in many cities on St Patrick's Day with marching and music?
Answer: A parade
Q17. What sea creature is sometimes associated with Ireland and appears on Irish coins?
Answer: A salmon
Q18. What do Irish people call their traditional language?
Answer: Gaelic (or Irish)
Q19. What shape is on the Irish flag?
Answer: It is not a shape - it has three vertical stripes (green, white, and orange)
Q20. What baked good is traditionally made with raisins and served on St Patrick's Day?
Answer: Irish soda bread
St Patrick History and Legend Trivia
Discover the fascinating true story behind the patron saint of Ireland. These St Patrick history trivia questions explore the life, legends, and lasting impact of the man who became one of history's most celebrated saints. You might be surprised by what you learn about the real story behind March 17 celebrations.
Q21. In what century did St Patrick live?
Answer: The 5th century (around 385-461 AD)
Q22. Was St Patrick actually born in Ireland?
Answer: No, he was born in Roman Britain (modern-day England, Scotland, or Wales)
Q23. What was St Patrick's birth name before he became a saint?
Answer: Maewyn Succat
Q24. How old was St Patrick when he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave?
Answer: 16 years old
Q25. What work did St Patrick do as a slave in Ireland?
Answer: He was a shepherd
Q26. How many years was St Patrick a slave before escaping?
Answer: Six years
Q27. What did St Patrick use the shamrock to teach?
Answer: The concept of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one)
Q28. What is St Patrick famously credited with driving out of Ireland?
Answer: Snakes (though this is symbolic - Ireland never had snakes due to its climate)
Q29. Why is St Patrick's Day celebrated on March 17?
Answer: It is believed to be the date of St Patrick's death
Q30. What did St Patrick bring to Ireland that changed the country forever?
Answer: Christianity
Q31. After escaping slavery, what did St Patrick study to become?
Answer: A priest (he studied in France/Gaul)
Q32. What mountain in Ireland is associated with St Patrick's 40 days of fasting?
Answer: Croagh Patrick (in County Mayo)
Q33. What did St Patrick reportedly do at the Hill of Tara that impressed Irish chieftains?
Answer: He lit a paschal fire on the night before Easter, defying the High King's orders
Q34. Approximately how many churches did St Patrick establish in Ireland?
Answer: Over 300 churches
Q35. What title is St Patrick given in relation to Ireland?
Answer: Patron Saint of Ireland
Irish Traditions and Symbols Trivia
From wearing green to chasing rainbows, Irish traditions and symbols have captured imaginations worldwide. These trivia questions explore the meaning behind beloved customs, legendary creatures, and iconic symbols that make St Patrick's Day celebrations so special.
Q36. Why do people wear green on St Patrick's Day?
Answer: Green represents Ireland, Irish nationalism, and the shamrock. Tradition says wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns who pinch anyone they can see.
Q37. What do the three leaves of a shamrock represent in Irish tradition?
Answer: The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Q38. What is a leprechaun's traditional occupation?
Answer: A shoemaker (cobbler)
Q39. What do the three colors of the Irish flag represent?
Answer: Green represents Irish Catholics, orange represents Irish Protestants, and white represents peace between them
Q40. What is the traditional Irish musical session called where musicians gather to play?
Answer: A "session" or "seisiun"
Q41. What is a "ceilidh" (pronounced KAY-lee)?
Answer: A traditional Irish social gathering with music and dancing
Q42. What stone in Ireland is said to give you the "gift of gab" if you kiss it?
Answer: The Blarney Stone (at Blarney Castle)
Q43. What traditional Irish stew is made with lamb, potatoes, and onions?
Answer: Irish stew (or Lamb stew)
Q44. What does the Irish blessing "Slainte" (SLAWN-cha) mean?
Answer: "Health" or "Cheers" - used as a toast
Q45. What is the name of the traditional Irish wailing spirit said to announce death?
Answer: A banshee
Q46. What traditional Irish step dance became famous worldwide in the 1990s?
Answer: Riverdance (or Irish step dancing in general)
Q47. What is "craic" (pronounced "crack") in Irish culture?
Answer: Fun, entertainment, and good times - as in "having the craic"
Q48. What mythical Irish treasure is said to be found where a rainbow touches the ground?
Answer: A pot of gold (guarded by a leprechaun)
Q49. What is the ancient Celtic festival that St Patrick's Day replaced?
Answer: The pagan celebration of the goddess Ostara or spring festivals
Q50. What traditional green clothing item do leprechauns wear on their heads?
Answer: A top hat (or sometimes a cocked hat)
Fun Facts About Ireland Trivia
Ireland is a land of stunning landscapes, rich culture, and surprising facts. These fun trivia questions about the Emerald Isle will test your knowledge of Irish geography, culture, achievements, and fascinating quirks that make this small island nation so beloved around the world.
Q51. What is the longest river in Ireland?
Answer: The River Shannon (at 360 km / 224 miles)
Q52. What famous cliffs in Ireland rise over 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean?
Answer: The Cliffs of Moher
Q53. What popular Irish cream liqueur was invented in Dublin in 1974?
Answer: Baileys Irish Cream
Q54. What Halloween tradition originated in Ireland?
Answer: Jack-o'-lanterns (originally carved from turnips)
Q55. What Irish city is famous for its black stout beer?
Answer: Dublin (home of Guinness)
Q56. How long does it take to pour the perfect pint of Guinness according to tradition?
Answer: 119.5 seconds (about 2 minutes)
Q57. What is the population of Ireland approximately?
Answer: About 5 million people (Republic of Ireland)
Q58. What sport is the national sport of Ireland, even more popular than football?
Answer: Gaelic football (and hurling)
Q59. What Oscar Wilde novel was written while he lived in Dublin?
Answer: None of his novels - but he was born and educated in Dublin before writing "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and other works in England
Q60. What ancient Irish site is older than the Egyptian pyramids?
Answer: Newgrange (a prehistoric monument in County Meath, over 5,000 years old)
Q61. What percentage of the world's population claims Irish ancestry?
Answer: Approximately 2% (about 70-80 million people worldwide)
Q62. What Irish author wrote "Dracula"?
Answer: Bram Stoker (born in Dublin)
Q63. What U.S. city has the largest St Patrick's Day parade in the world?
Answer: New York City
Q64. What is the only country that has a musical instrument as its national symbol?
Answer: Ireland (the harp)
Q65. What famous Irish landmark is said to make you eloquent if you kiss it while hanging upside down?
Answer: The Blarney Stone
Challenging St Patrick's Day Trivia for Adults
Ready to put your Irish knowledge to the ultimate test? These challenging St Patrick's Day trivia questions are designed for adults and true enthusiasts. They are perfect for pub quiz nights, office parties, or anyone who thinks they know everything about Ireland and St Patrick's Day. Some of these might just stump even the most dedicated Irish history buffs.
Q66. What U.S. city famously dyes its river green every St Patrick's Day?
Answer: Chicago (the Chicago River). This tradition began in 1962 when city workers dumped 100 pounds of dye into the river.
Q67. What year was the first St Patrick's Day parade held in America?
Answer: 1762 (in New York City)
Q68. What famous landmarks participate in the "Global Greening" initiative on St Patrick's Day?
Answer: The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Sydney Opera House, Empire State Building, and many more worldwide
Q69. In what year did Ireland make St Patrick's Day a public holiday?
Answer: 1903 (through the Bank Holiday Act)
Q70. What color was originally associated with St Patrick before green became popular?
Answer: Blue (called "St Patrick's Blue")
Q71. What ancient high cross in Ireland is considered one of the finest examples of Celtic art?
Answer: The High Cross of Muiredach at Monasterboice (County Louth)
Q72. What year did the Great Famine (An Gorta Mor) begin in Ireland?
Answer: 1845
Q73. What is the Ogham?
Answer: The ancient Irish alphabet, consisting of lines and notches carved into stone
Q74. In Irish mythology, who were the Tuatha De Danann?
Answer: A supernatural race of god-like beings who inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the Milesians (ancestors of the modern Irish)
Q75. What is the name of the ancient Irish legal system that governed society before English law?
Answer: Brehon Law (or Fenechus)
Q76. What percentage of Ireland's population was lost during the Great Famine through death and emigration?
Answer: About 25% (from approximately 8 million to 6 million between 1845-1852)
Q77. What is a "crannog" in Irish archaeology?
Answer: An artificial island, usually built in a lake, used as a dwelling or fortress
Q78. What is the Book of Kells, and where is it housed?
Answer: An illuminated manuscript Gospel book from around 800 AD, housed at Trinity College Dublin
Q79. What mythological Irish hero is known for his "warp spasm" battle frenzy?
Answer: Cu Chulainn (the Hound of Ulster)
Q80. What treaty officially ended the Irish War of Independence in 1921?
Answer: The Anglo-Irish Treaty
Bring the Luck of the Irish to Your Next Celebration
From easy questions perfect for kids to challenging trivia that will stump even the most knowledgeable Irish culture enthusiasts, these 80 St Patrick's Day trivia questions offer something for everyone in your family. You have learned about the fascinating history of St Patrick, explored beloved Irish traditions, discovered surprising facts about the Emerald Isle, and tested your knowledge of how this holiday is celebrated around the world.
We hope these St Patrick's Day trivia questions bring laughter, learning, and a bit of Irish luck to your March 17 celebrations. Whether you are hosting a trivia night, teaching your children about Irish culture, or simply enjoying some festive fun with friends, these questions will make your St Patrick's Day unforgettable.
Want to make your celebration even more special? PatPat has everything you need to dress your family in festive style. Browse our collection of St Patrick's Day outfits and matching family ensembles to capture perfect photos and create lasting memories this St Patrick's Day.
Bookmark this page for future St Patrick's Day celebrations, and do not forget to share it with friends and family who would enjoy testing their Irish knowledge. Slainte!
Learn More About Irish Culture
- Tourism Ireland - Official guide to visiting Ireland
- IrishCentral - News and stories about Irish culture worldwide
- National Museum of Ireland - Explore Irish history and heritage
