Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with The Health Lottery
St. Patrick's Day is a holiday celebrated annually on March 17th to honour the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick.
The day is typically marked by parades, festivals, and other celebrations around the world.
A lot of our scratch games are themed around Irish tradition, such as Leprechauns, Shamrocks, and Pots of Gold. That’s why we’re offering ten lucky winners in our Friday Lottery Draw a city break trip to Dublin. To get you in the mood for St Patrick’s Day, here are some interesting facts about Ireland:
Emerald Isle
Ireland is known as the "Emerald Isle" because of its lush green countryside, which is due to the country's frequent rainfall.
Ireland is known for its natural beauty, with rolling hills, rugged coastlines, and verdant landscapes.
The country's mild climate and frequent rainfall help to create and maintain its iconic green scenery. In fact, Ireland has the perfect climate for growing grass, which is the primary food source for its famous dairy cows.
Ireland’s Official Language - Gaelic
The Irish language, also known as Gaelic, is the official language of Ireland. However, English is more widely spoken. While Irish is the official language of Ireland, the majority of the population speaks English as their first language. Only around 40% of the population reports being able to speak Irish, with the majority of those speakers living in the western part of the country.
Shamrocks
Shamrocks are a type of clover with three leaves, and they have been a symbol of Ireland for centuries.
According to legend, St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the Irish people during his missionary work in the country in the 5th century.
Since then, the shamrock has become a symbol of Irish identity and culture, and it is closely associated with St Patrick's Day.
The shamrock is also a popular motif in Irish art, and it has been used as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. In fact, the word "shamrock" comes from the Irish word "seamróg," which means "little clover."
The use of the shamrock as a symbol of Ireland and Irish culture has helped to spread awareness of the country's unique history and traditions around the world.
This is why you’ll see shamrocks featured in many scratch games, such as Super Shamrock.
Traditional Irish Music
Traditional Irish music is known for its lively rhythms and melodies, often played on instruments such as the bodhrán, a type of hand-held drum, the fiddle, and the tin whistle.
Traditional Irish music has had a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with many musicians and bands blending traditional Irish music with other genres such as rock, pop, and electronic music.
Many Irish pubs have live music sessions, with both amateur and professional musicians taking part, making it a popular social activity.
In fact, the traditional Irish music session is considered to be an important part of Ireland's cultural heritage, and it is common for visitors to seek out pubs and venues where they can experience this unique and lively aspect of Irish culture.
Leprechauns & Pots of Gold
Leprechauns are a type of mythical creature that are often associated with Ireland.
According to Irish folklore, leprechauns are small, mischievous beings who are known for their wealth and their love of practical jokes.
In legend, leprechauns are said to be shoemakers who have hidden pots of gold at the end of rainbows. If you are lucky enough to catch a leprechaun, he may grant you three wishes in exchange for his freedom.
However, leprechauns are notoriously tricky, and catching one is said to be very difficult.
If you’re feeling the luck of the Irish and want to be in with a chance of winning one of our ten city breaks to Dublin, play the Health Lottery on Friday. Your ticket helps fight health inequality. If you’re interested in learning more about health inequality and our work to change this, visit our good causes page.
