Irish people are known worldwide for their sense of humour and so, as the St Patrick’s Day celebrations get underway BIC, the world leader in lighters, is celebrating the nation with research to reveal the lighter sides of Irish life.
The research was carried out among 433 adults* in Ireland to launch BIC’s Lighter Moments campaign for 2017. As part of the campaign, BIC wants to help make the ordinary and extraordinary moments in life all the more memorable, from special celebrations to everyday occasions.
And the survey results show that the country is well and truly ready to paint the town green for Paddy’s Day with 86% of respondents saying that they will celebrate this March 17th. To get in the festive spirit 84% of those polled will wear green in honour of the Irish occasion.
Ireland is a country that prides itself on the peoples’ ability to have the craic, so it’s no surprise that when asked their favourite thing about Ireland, almost 1 in 3 (31%) of those surveyed (31%) named ‘the people’ as the best thing about the country, followed by ‘the craic’ (25%).
It seems like quite a large percentage of the nation have experienced the results of having too much craic, as 30% of respondents admitted that they have failed to make it into work after Paddy’s Day celebrations!
Ireland is a country steeped in myth and legend and it seems that quite a few of those folktales still ring true for many, with almost half (46%) of those polled revealing that they truly believe St Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland.
And according to the BIC research, the leprechaun legend is still doing the rounds, with more than half (54%) of the nation admitting they have met someone who thought leprechauns were real!
When it comes to stereotypes, there are a few entertaining misconceptions about Irish life out there. Asked which they thought was the funniest Irish stereotype, 35% (the majority) agreed that the idea that “everyone in Ireland says ‘top of the mornin’ to ya’” was the most laughable, followed by the stereotype that ‘all Irish people do is drink’ (27%) and the age-old presumption ‘that everyone in Ireland has red hair and freckles’ (11%).
There are however some unique Irish customs still in practice! The research found that 50% of adults in Ireland go to St Anthony when they lose something, favouring the patron Saint above their family (30%) and friends (8%) in times of need.And when it comes to a worrisome or stressful period – lighting a candle is the first port of call for 1 in 5 of those polled!
Ireland is a country full of pride and passion. When asked about the proudest moment from the past year, the 1916 centenary celebrations came out of as the nation’s proudest moment according to 41% of those polled. And it doesn’t matter whether Ireland is winning or losing, with the Irish soccer fans display of sportsmanship at the Euros 2016 named the nation’s second proudest moment from the past year.
Commenting on the survey findings, Product Manager for BIC Lighters Andreea Rucareanu said: “As part of BIC’s Lighter Moments campaign for 2017, we wanted to celebrate St Patrick’s Day the Irish way and find out more about the country’s favourite Paddy’s Day practices.
“The research shows that the vast majority of people in Ireland are preparing to don their green and celebrate the national holiday in style. With that in mind, BIC is honouring St Patrick’s Day with a range of Irish themed BIC pocket lighters that show some of the many sides of Irish life!”
BIC brings the collection of lighters to the market for the second year. The pocket lighters are designed with different Irish themes in mind to celebrate Ireland’s national day.
