7 of the best things to come from Ireland

So, as we're sure you're all aware, 17th March is St Patrick's Day, which means celebrating all things Irish - not just leprechauns and pints of Guinness.

Of all the patron saints, St Pat is the one who seems to be celebrated the most widely, which probably has a lot to do with loads of Americans' "Irish heritage". That and the fact 'celebrating' is something the Irish do well.

To help get you in the spirit of the day, here are 7 reasons why we really love Ireland:

1. The colour green - it seems a bit obvious but green is to Ireland what red is to Wales. Maybe it's just the fact the Irish tourist board have done a great job in promoting the luscious landscape, but they don't call it The Emerald Isle for nothing
2. Red hair - we're not saying everyone who's born and bred in Ireland automatically has awesomely auburn locks. In fact, Scotland has the highest proportion of red heads in the world, but Ireland comes a close second and an Irish lilt with flowing red hair just works
3. Comfort food - people often complain about the poor weather in Ireland, it rains. A lot. It's cold. A lot. Basically, leaving the house during the winter months means you probably get home cold and damp, which is why the Irish have such a great variety of delicious, comfort food. Hot soda bread slathered with butter anyone? Irish colcannon and sausages? Guinness cake? If you're anything like us, you'll be hoping for miserable weather just so you can justify a duvet day while munching your way through a Guinness cake
4. Hozier - 24-year-old Andrew Hozier-Byrne is the latest, great thing to come straight outta Bray, County Wicklow. Apparently Dara O' Briain and Laura Whitmore are also from Bray, but we think Hozier will be the one to really put Bray on the map! We love his first single, Take Me to Church. Download it now if you haven't already
5. Niall Horan - this can't be a surprise; one fifth of pop favourites One Direction, or 1D to you true fans out there. The blond-haired former chorister is just 21-years old, but has legions of fans across the world. Having just finished a 6-night leg of their world tour in Japan, Niall is a long way from his hometown of Mullingar in County Westmeath
6. Accent - the Irish accent is often voted the most popular in the world and it's easy to hear why. A recent YouGov survey found the Southern Irish accent to be considered the most attractive in the British Isles. It's one of those rare accents that is equally attractive rolling off the tongue of a man or a woman
7. St Patrick's Day - of course, the day itself. Celebrated in both Northern and the Republic of Ireland and in bars the world over. A day when spotting a grown man dressed as a leprechaun during your evening commute is perfectly normal and drinking a couple of pints of the black stuff on a Tuesday is almost encouraged.

How will you be celebrating St Patrick's Day this year? Let us know by tweeting diamondforgirls or by posting on our Facebook page.