“Guess what, Ireland?” jibes a video released by the US Embassy in Dublin. “ It was Americans who first started turning things green.”

Green rivers, green beer, “even wearing green”.

It’s one of five ways Americans invented St Patrick’s Day, apparently.

If the video is anything to go by, they also gave us parades, marching bands, and corned beef.

The claims will surprise few, considering how the Americans have also given us Halloween.