‘Luck of the Irish’ is REAL, research shows

By Richard Jenkins

The ‘luck of the Irish’ is REAL with residents of Ireland reporting greater instances of good fortune.

A study of 2,000 adults living in the UK, and 500 in Ireland, revealed those living in the Emerald Isle do indeed get the most luck - experiencing 40 fortunate moments a year.

But people from the rest of the UK get just 37 - nearly 10 percent fewer.

Irish folks are also more likely to describe themselves as lucky, with 49 percent believing they’re blessed, compared to 40 percent elsewhere.

And the poll also found 66 percent of UK adults claimed they’re due a bit of good luck in their lives.

But 26 percent admitted they don’t truly know the meaning of luck and think it’s too hard to define.

A spokesperson for Lottoland.co.uk, which has launched the lucky in life quiz to celebrate its Irish Lotto draw this St Patrick’s Day, said: “Luck is such a strange concept - most people question whether it even really exists?

“Some people certainly seem luckier than others - something our lotto winners would attest to!

"But there’s no real evidence to show how or why luck might come about - it could be anything from wearing our lucky pants to finding a four-leaf clover. Or maybe it’s just in the stars!”

To increase their chances of good fortune, 23 percent of UK adults have used a lucky charm - rising to 38 percent of Irish respondents.

Lucky numbers, special bracelets and coins are popular good luck charms on both sides of the Irish sea - with Irish people less likely to opt for a four-leaf clover.

UK adults are most likely to consider themselves blessed with good luck when it comes to family, friends and relationships.

And 25 percent consider having good health something to be thankful for, as it can often be decided by luck.

On the other side of the coin, Irish adults are 17 percent more likely to believe in bad luck than people from the UK (67 percent compared to 50 percent).

And 57 percent of those polled from the Republic of Ireland have experienced beginner’s luck - doing well at something on their first try.

This compares favorably to only 36 percent of people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, according to the OnePoll data.

Lottoland’s spokesperson added: “It seems people in Ireland not only think of themselves as being luckier, they actually are!

“The question is, do you have to be born in Ireland to enjoy that luck, or can you simply move from bad-luck Brighton to Dublin or Galway, and enjoy a boost to your fortunes right away?”

TOP 10 LUCKY CHARMS IN IRELAND:

1. Lucky number
2. Bracelet
3. Coins
4. Ring
5. Four leaf clover
6. Ladybugs
7. Socks
8. Horseshoe
9. Rainbow
10. Underwear

TOP 10 LUCKY CHARMS IN THE UK:

1. Lucky number
2. Bracelet
3. Four leaf clover
4. Coins
5. Ring
6. Underwear
7. Horseshoe
8. Dice
9. Goldfish
10. Socks