Wildest St Patrick’s Day moments and boozy brawls as Brits put together to ‘pull sickies’
St Patrick’s Day is known all over the world as people from Ireland, the UK and beyond come together to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint.
The day is known for involving plenty of boozy antics, but some people over the years have gone that little bit too far as celebrations take place among the Irish, Brits, Americans and even Canadians joining in.
It comes as a ffth of Brits plan to throw a St Paddy’s Day sickie – even though they are not Irish, a survey has found.
A poll of 2,004 folk by pub chain O’Neill’s found 22% plan to get so hammered toasting the patron saint of Ireland today, they will not turn up to work tomorrow.
Half say they will brazen it out by claiming they were celebrating “an important cultural day.”
Others plan to come out with a barrage of bonkers excuses – forgetting which day it was or the way to the office, uncrossable puddles, shoes left on taxi roofs, spacecraft landing on the drive and birdfeeders crashing through windows.
Of those quizzed 27% said they will have such a huge hangover they probably will not get out of bed.
While 24% are planning to polish off a big breakfast – followed by a hair of the dog.
A shame-faced 23% expect to spend the day “full of regret.”
Meanwhile, O’Neill’s is marking the event by offering customers £2 pints of Guinness, two-four-one Baby Guinness shots and free Dublin Mules with orders.
A spokesman for the UK-based Irish-themed pub chain said: “St Patrick’s Day is perhaps best known for two things – a good pint (or two) of Guinness and a good time.
“As the nation gears up to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint a new survey reveals what really happens the morning after, leaving bosses bracing themselves for a surge in sickies.
“With so much to celebrate it’s no surprise that one in five of respondents already resigned to or on the fence about calling in sick rather than brave the office.
“A whopping half of these claim they are bold enough to tell their bosses the cold, hard – but undeniable – truth, that they are simply experiencing the worthwhile effects of celebrating ‘an important cultural day’.”
The pub chain’s marketing manager Roisin Sherriff said: “St Patrick’s Day is the biggest day of the year for us and most of our guests.
“It’s a celebration you don’t want to miss.
“St Patrick’s might be on a Monday this year but we know that won’t stop people having a good time.’’
Here are some of the wildest moments from St Patrick’s Day, from punters getting their kit off, to brawls and celebrations in space.
