Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day

…or so it seems. According to the US Census Bureau, more than a few Americans are of Irish descent–36 million of us. Below are a few facts about Irish-Americans:

• The number of Americans who claim Irish ancestry is nine times the population of Ireland itself.
• Twenty-four percent of Massachusetts residents are of Irish ancestry, compared with 12% of the nation as a whole.
• Number of places in the United States named Shamrock — Four: Shamrock, WV; Shamrock, TX; Shramrock, IN; and Shamrock, OK.
• Number of places in the United States named Dublin — Nine, including Dublin, Ohio and Dublin, California.

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