This is where Victoria ranks in Canada’s ‘most Irish’ cities ahead of St Patrick’s Day

As the green wave of St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Canadians across the country are gearing up to celebrate Irish culture, whether they have Irish roots or not.

A recent study has shed light on which cities in Canada are the most Irish, based on various St. Patrick’s Day-themed metrics.

Surprisingly, while Vancouver takes the crown as the most Irish city in Canada, Victoria, often recognized for its British heritage, has earned a notable spot in 6th place.

The study compared twelve of Canada’s largest cities using five different St. Patrick’s Day-themed metrics, offering intriguing insights into the nation’s penchant for celebrating the Irish spirit.

Key findings revealed a dynamic tapestry of Irish influence across the country:

• Vancouver emerges as the leader, boasting the highest number of Irish bars among all the cities in the study, with a staggering count of 76 establishments
• Toronto, despite its cosmopolitan allure, garners attention for being the most common city in which searches for Irish bars are conducted, despite having the smallest number of Irish bars per 100,000 people
• Quebec City, on the other hand, stands as the least Irish city in Canada, reflecting a lesser presence of Irish-themed establishments
• Montreal showcases a noteworthy paradox, with a strong presence of Irish bars despite relatively low search volumes for St. Patrick’s Day-related phrases
• Windsor, nestled on the border with the United States, surprisingly hosts the lowest number of Irish bars in Canada, with a mere two establishments within a four-kilometer radius of the city center

The 12 cities were ranked equally based on four St Patrick’s Day metrics per 100,000 people, as well as the number of Irish bars in each city.

The four search metrics were:

• The number of searches for Irish bars in March 2023
• The number of searches for Guinness in March 2023
• The number of searches for St Patrick’s Day in March 2023
• The number of searches for St Patrick’s Day parades in March 2023

The study revealed Vancouver’s reign as the pinnacle of Irish influence in Canada, scoring an impressive 96 out of a possible 100 points.

Notably, smaller cities like Windsor, Ontario, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, secured spots in the top three, with commendable scores of 74 and 73, respectively.

Toronto finds itself in a disappointing 10th place, largely attributed to its high population density. Yet, visitors need not despair, as Hogtown promises plenty of Irish-themed festivities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style.

In contrast, Quebec City emerges as the least Irish city in Canada, scoring a meager 11 out of 100.

And for those in Victoria, ranking a respectable 6th in the nation, it’s a chance to join in the celebration and revel in the shared joy of the Irish spirit.

Now if you’re looking for a place to celebrate the day, these locations will likely get you in the St. Patrick’s Day mood:

1. Irish Times Pub
2. Bard and Banker Public House
3. The Penny Farthing Public House
4. The Sticky Wicket Pub
5. The Bent Mast Pub & Restaurant
6. Garrick’s Head Pub
7. The Ross Bay Pub
8. Christie’s Carriage House Pub
9. Swans Brewery, Pub & Hotel (features an Irish-style pub area)
10. The Beagle Pub