On Monday, Irish people from Melbourne to Montana, Paris to Peru and everywhere in between will raise a pint of the black stuff and toast our patron saint Patrick. We’ve really embraced the celebrations now but that’s a relatively recent thing. The first time I went to America I was astounded at the festivities on the day. Everyone seemed to be dressed in green, drinking green shamrock topped pints of Guinness and dancing in the streets. Back then, over 30 years ago, it was quite staid here in comparison.