The Friday File: 61% of Americans plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and in the process collectively spend $6.9 billion. The previous record was $6.2 set in 2020. And it’s no wonder, 1 in 10 Americans can claim Irish heritage making it the country’s second-largest ethnic group. While Ireland has a population of just 5 million, the Irish diaspora number 70 million. Wear a shamrock, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!