Q 01/05

Which musical instrument is Ireland's national emblem, stamped on every Irish coin?

A) Harp

B) Tin whistle

C) Bagpipes

D) Flute

Answer · why

A) Harp

Harp: Ireland registered only left-facing harps as its state emblem, because Guinness had been using a right-facing harp as its trademark since the 18...

Q 02/05

In Irish tradition, what is a shillelagh?

A) A wooden cudgel

B) A woollen cloak

C) A clay pipe

D) A flat cap

Answer · why

A) A wooden cudgel

A wooden cudgel: cut from blackthorn or oak with a heavy knob, the shillelagh passed as a walking stick, and its name is usually traced to a village w...

Q 03/05

St Patrick's Day parades began on which continent in the 18th century, more than a century before Ireland's first in 1903?

A) North America

B) Europe

C) Australia

D) South America

Answer · why

A) North America

North America beat Ireland to the parade by more than a century: Ireland's first St Patrick's Day parade was held in Waterford only in 1903.

Q 04/05

St Patrick's Day always falls inside which season of the Christian calendar?

A) Advent

B) Epiphany

C) Lent

D) Pentecost

Answer · why

C) Lent

Lent: Ash Wednesday is never later than 10 March and Easter never earlier than 22 March, so the feast always lands inside the fast, and the day's disp...

Q 05/05

According to legend, what creatures did St. Patrick famously banish from Ireland?

A) Wolves

B) Dragons

C) Snakes

D) Bears

Answer · why

C) Snakes

Snakes: Ireland never had any to banish, and the earliest text crediting Patrick with driving them out dates only from the late twelfth century, some ...