The Ultimate St. Patrick's Quiz: 100 Qs (2)

[A] Boston | The Charitable Irish Society of Boston kicked off American celebrations in 1737, establishing Boston's reputation for enthusiastic Irish pride before it was cool.

[B] 1931 | Ireland didn't parade until 1931, letting America perfect the tradition first. Before this, Irish pubs were actually closed on March 17—imagine explaining that tragedy to modern pub owners.

[D] Harry S. Truman | Truman showed up in 1948, setting the precedent for presidential parade participation. He probably didn't expect to start a tradition of politicians desperately seeking Irish-American votes.

[C] 1952 | The Irish government started this botanical diplomacy in 1952, making it the longest-running vegetable exchange program between nations—take that, agricultural trade agreements!

[A] New York City | NYC's been marching since 1762, making it older than America itself. The parade has outlasted multiple wars, economic crashes, and even prohibition.

[B] 30 years | After escaping, he trained as a priest and returned to Ireland for three decades of missionary work. Talk about returning to the scene of the crime with a completely different agenda.

[D] Soda bread | Made with baking soda instead of yeast, because Irish bakers found the fastest way to carbs. It's dense, filling, and pairs perfectly with everything from butter to existential dread.

[C] River Shannon | At 360 kilometers, it's Ireland's aquatic superhighway, flowing through 11 counties. Ancient legends claim it's named after a goddess who was drowned while seeking wisdom—rough way to learn.

[A] Stephen Bailey | This business manager of Chicago Plumbers Local 130 accidentally created magic when plumbers' dye turned the river green while detecting pollution—environmental testing gone festive!

[B] 1903 | Only took 1,442 years after Patrick's death to get official recognition. Irish bureaucracy: proving that good things come to those who wait... and wait... and wait.

[D] Colcannon | Mashed potatoes mixed with cabbage or kale—Ireland's answer to "what's in the fridge?" It's comfort food that survived the Famine and still graces modern tables.

[A] Ireland forever | This rallying cry from the 1798 Rebellion sounds way more romantic than "indefinite Ireland." It's been shouted at every parade since, usually after several beers.

[B] Lager | Light beers take green food coloring best, though purists argue that dying Guinness green is sacrilege. Some battles aren't worth fighting after midnight at an Irish pub.

[C] Bagpipes | Though Scotland claims them, Ireland has uilleann pipes—the quieter, indoor-friendly version. They're bagpipes that won't wake the neighbors or summon ancient warriors.

[D] The Roman Empire | Patrick lived during Rome's decline, when Britain was still Romanized. He witnessed the empire's fall while busy converting pagans—multitasking at its finest.

[B] The Empire State Building | In a tradition that lights up the Manhattan skyline, the top of the Empire State Building glows emerald green every March 17th. It's a beacon of celebration visible for miles.

[A] Kissing it gives the gift of eloquence | Supposedly grants smooth talking abilities, though hanging upside down to kiss a rock might just make you light-headed enough to think you're articulate.

[C] Carrauntoohil | At 1,038 meters, it's Ireland's Everest minus the death zone, sherpas, and international acclaim. The name means "Tuathail's sickle," which sounds like a rejected Harry Potter spell.

[B] Cliffs of Moher | These 700-foot cliffs attract a million visitors yearly who come dangerously close to edges for selfies. Natural selection's favorite Irish tourist attraction.

[A] Céilí music | The soundtrack to social gatherings where everyone forgets their troubles through synchronized foot movement. It's group therapy with better rhythm and more sweating.

[D] Hurling | Combining hockey's speed with baseball's hand-eye coordination and rugby's pain tolerance. It's been played for 3,000 years, proving the Irish have always enjoyed controlled chaos.

[C] Bodhrán | This frame drum provides the heartbeat of Irish music, played with a wooden beater called a cipín. It's basically a weaponized pizza pan that keeps perfect time.

[A] Water of life | The Irish term for whiskey, because they understood marketing centuries before Madison Avenue. If water gives life, whiskey must give super-life, right?

[C] Colleen | From the Irish "cailín," it's the female equivalent of "lad." Often used in songs about broken hearts and emigration, because Irish music loves emotional devastation.

[B] Euro | Ireland adopted the Euro in 2002, retiring the Irish pound (punt). Some pubs still mentally convert prices, explaining shocked tourist faces at Dublin bar tabs.

[D] Dublin | Home to 1.4 million people in the greater area, roughly a quarter of Ireland's population. It's where rural Irish go to complain about city prices and terrible traffic.

[B] Irish (Gaelic) | Though everyone speaks English, Irish is the first official language. It's mandatory in schools, promptly forgotten after graduation, then desperately relearned for pub authenticity.

[C] Danny Boy | Written by an Englishman who never visited Ireland about a place that might not exist. Yet it makes grown Irish Americans weep into their corned beef every March.

[A] Tallaght | Ireland's most successful football club plays in South Dublin, winning 20 league titles while most Americans remain unaware Ireland has professional soccer.

[D] 1 in 10,000 | Your chances of finding one are slightly better than winning a small lottery but worse than getting struck by lightning. Maybe just buy a fake one and save time.