St. Patrick’s Day has the potential to be quite expensive, with lots of corned beef, cabbage, Guinness and green clothing on Americans’ shopping lists. But the costs associated with celebrating Ireland’s primary patron saint don’t end there, especially for those who act immaturely.
Despite its religious undertones, St. Patrick’s Day is known for being one of the year’s biggest drinking holidays. Sadly, the revelry is too often ruined by drunk driving, which can devastate lives both physically and financially. As a result, it’s important to don green and drop your keys if you want to avoid getting pinched come March 17. The cost of an Uber or Lyft ride pales in comparison to that of a DUI, after all.
To help people appreciate the significance of this holiday even more, both to our wallets and overall, we researched the occasion from all angles and put together the following St. Patrick’s Day facts – some fun, some sobering. You can also learn more about the financial impact of St. Patrick’s Day from the Ask the Experts Q&A below. Enjoy (responsibly)!
St. Patrick’s Day Facts for 2023:
- 174%: Increase in beer sales on St. Patrick’s Day compared to the rest of the year (153% more spirits are sold compared with the average day).
- $1.84 Million: Market value of a leprechaun’s pot of gold.
- $6.85 Billion: Amount spent collectively on St. Patrick’s Day 2023 ($44 per person celebrating).
- 31.5 Million: Number of Americans who claim Irish ancestry, second only to German and 6.4 times Ireland's population.
- 37: People were killed in drunk-driving crashes over St. Patrick’s Day holiday in 2020, one life claimed every 58 minutes.
Ask the Experts
In search of commentary to supplement the St. Patrick’s Day facts in our infographic, we posed the following questions to a panel of experts. You can find their bios and responses below.
- Why is St. Patrick's Day so popular in the United States?
- What are some social and economic considerations for cities looking to host St. Patrick’s Day celebrations?
- How can local authorities promote safety and reduce alcohol related accidents on St. Patrick’s Day?
Ask the Experts
Professor Emeritus of American Studies, Walter H. Annenberg-Edmund P. Joyce Chair in American Studies and Journalism – University of Notre Dame & Author of Ireland's Exiled Children: America and the Easter Rising
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Professor of Environmental Arts and Humanities and Anthropology; Director of the Environmental Arts & Humanities Program – University of the South – Sewanee
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Professor, Political Science Department – Xavier University
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Professor Emeritus of History – Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
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Ph.D. – Director of Celtic Studies – Northern Kentucky University
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