Known for his love of the English and his ability to blight days of national celebration, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been accused of "patronising" the Irish in a St Patrick's Day message.

Two St Patrick's Day events have decided not to screen the Prime Minister's video message as the blowback made headlines in Ireland.

"It's safe to say this is the one day of the year when it's good to be green," Mr Abbott said with the comic timing of four dads in one.