Nothing says St. Patrick’s Day in America like green beer, green shakes, or even a green river. But I like to take time on St. Patrick’s Day to give a nod to Irish inspired products. You know the ones engraved into our pop culture hardened brains.

There are three products in this post. 3 being considered lucky by the Irish just like the shamrock.

Check out these retro ads all dating back before the 90’s. Why? Because. I like it that way.

In 1962, Lucky Charms hit the store shelves, “pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers!” Blue diamonds didn’t show up until 1975. Watch as Lucky the Leprechaun, a.k.a. Sir Charms, originally named L.C. Leprechaun tries to run from these hungry, sugar addicted children. They’re always after his lucky charms. Who can blame them? The cereal is “magically delicious”.
Lucky Charms, skateboarding to the video arcade:

Back in 1972, Irish Spring sprung forth to the men of our planet with just one scent named Ulster fragrance. As time went by, women decided they were tired of saying, “Manly, yes. But I like it too.”
Their voices were heard and today we have lots of scents to choose from.

Irish Spring, from manly soap to clean as a whistle:

This product goes way back and instead of being an American product that was inspired by Irish culture, this one is an Irish product through and through. Guinness is an Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James’s Gate, Dublin.

Guinness not only makes a perfect pint, the advertising for this Irish product has been practically perfect. They’ve created beer mats, posters and award winning ads for TV. In the 1920’s their print ads suggested the health benefits of drinking a Guinness. This made for amazing artwork and fun prints with sayings such as “Guinness is Good for You”.

Guinness, theatrical agent to serious actor:

So get clean as a whistle with Irish Spring, have a bowl of brightly colored marshmallows, and wash it down with a Guinness*!
*Only if you’re over 21, and please drink responsibly.

As with all of my posts, for the best quality be sure to click on all hyperlinks.

When I think of the St. Patrick’s Day influence on pop culture I think of a cereal, a bar of soap, and a film starring Jennifer Aniston.

Who can forget the movie Leprechaun from 1993? What a difference 16 years makes, especially when it comes to Jennifer Aniston’s career.

Click here to watch the movie trailer.

Then there is that bar of soap that leaves you feeling “Clean as a whistle”. Irish Spring has changed a lot since their retro TV commercials. Visit GetIrishNow.com  and they’ll teach you how to meet a lass, defend her honor and even show you how to get a raise.

Blue diamonds, green clovers… that yummy high fructose corn syrup mixed with Red Dye #40. According to Wikipedia Lucky Charms Cereal has been referenced in pop culture media many times. From the films Leprechaun Back 2 tha Hood, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, to TV Shows like Family Guy, and the Simpsons. There’s even a song entitled Lucky Charms by The Moldy Peaches.

There are so many great movies out there with an Irish theme, some subtle and some blatant as the Blarney Stone.

For the John Wayne enthusiast there’s The Quiet Man with one of my favorite actresses Maureen O’Hara.

Who could forget Far & Away  starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Remember when they were the paparazzi’s favorite couple? Wow that does seem far and away now doesn’t it?

If you’re a Boondock Saints fan I’m sure you’ll be popping in your DVD to watch Sean Patrick Flanery  and Norman Reedus. Don’t forget to show off your favorite Boondock Saints T from Hot Topic.

Let’s listen to Van Morrison, who is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter, sing the title song from his album in 1972, Saint Dominic’s Preview.

We could have an entire site devoted to the Irish in pop culture. I end this post with a song by The Pogues. Play it this Tuesday Morning. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!