The Irish have given us one of the most favorable drinking days of the year, but what else can we thank them for?
1. Shepard’s Pie and Corned Beef and Cabbage
A typical Irish meal
2. The Tattoo Machine
Samuel O’Reilly, born to Irish immigrants, patented the first electric tattoo machine.
3. Color Photography
John Joly, an Irish physicist, invented the first successful process for color images.
4. Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars
You know the song you danced to with your middle school crush? You can thank the Irish band, Snow Patrol, for that.
5. AED
Professor James Pantridge produced the first portable defibrillator.
6. Claddagh Rings
Love, loyalty, and friendship – that’s all there is to say about these popular rings.
7. Border Collies
DOGS DOGS DOGS
8. The Submarine
Want to know how the U.S. Navy can go underwater? John Phillip Holland, an Irish engineer, developed the first submarine to be commissioned by our Navy.
9. Liam Neeson
If you ever get abducted in a foregin country, you can thank Ireland for knowing who to call.
10. The proverb “wine reveals the truth”
Sceitheann fíon fírinne
Well, we probably could have figured this one out the hard way, but thanks to the Irish we didn’t have to.
11. The set of Saving Private Ryan
The Irish Defense Forces supplied over 2,000 men to act as extras in this film and it took place on Ballinesker Beach, Curracloe Strand.
12. Leprechauns
I don’t know about you, but every time I play Kings and the rule is “Little Green Man”, this is who I picture.
13. The word “hooligan”
An acceptable word to use to describe your friends
14. Leaving milk and cookies for Santa
I guess Santa has some thanking to do, too. Traditionally, families would leave a pitcher of milk and some sweet bread out for Mary and Joseph to come rest in their homes the night of Christmas Eve.
15. Flavored Potato Chips
When you need a little salt in your life, thank Joe “Spud” Murphy for thinking of giving us some flavor.
16. St. Patrick
St. Patrick spent time converting the Irish to Christianity and passed away on March 17th, hence St. Patrick’s Day.
17. Guinness
Did you really think I wouldn’t include beer?