When most people think about Ireland, they imagine lush green fields and rainy weather - a sharp contrast to the mountainous deserts of Arizona.
Despite the drastic differences between these two places, the Emerald Isle has its influence on the Valley, especially with St. Patrick's Day quickly approaching.
On March 17, almost everyone claims they're a wee bit Irish. But green beer, shamrock cutouts and "Kiss me, I'm Irish" T-shirts don't define the holiday for Arizonans with real Irish roots.
Here's a look at what Irish culture in the Valley is really all about:
Snakes on an Emerald Isle
In the center of Phoenix, amidst light rail construction and chaotic traffic, sits a small stone building that is the center for all things Irish in the Valley - the Irish Cultural Center.
The center is actually more of a Celtic cultural center, offering classes in everything from Celtic languages to Scottish highland dancing.
Pat McCrossan, director of the Academy of Celtic and Irish Studies at the Cultural Center, is a native of Ireland and knows all the stories - and tall tales - about St. Patrick.
There are many myths surrounding St. Patrick, an English deacon and bishop regarded as the patron saint of Ireland. The most common says that he drove the snakes out of Ireland, but McCrossan says otherwise.
"There were no snakes in Ireland," McCrossan says. "If there were, they were still in the government."
The true reason St. Patrick's Day is celebrated is because he is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. In reality, McCrossan says, Christianity had been there up to 200 years before.
Funky names, festive sounds
St. Patrick's Day is a holy day in Ireland - a drastic contrast to the way Americans spend the holiday. Instead of spending the day drinking, the Irish spend their St. Patrick's Day in church, says Liam Mackey, front man of the Valley Irish band, The Brazen Heads.
Mackey says the differences between the American and Irish St. Patrick's Days are clear.
"We do have parades [in Ireland] and never need an excuse to have a few celebratory pints, but all of that ... in keeping with the religious overtones of the day," Mackey says.
The members of the Brazen Heads, who got the band's name from a Dublin pub that dates back to 1198, are fans of popular Irish bands like Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys.
"I do remember a few of the lads from the Dropkicks from back when our band used to be based out of Boston. We all ran the same circuit so I was pleased to see them make out well," Mackey says.
The Brazen Heads often cover Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys songs, but prefer to cover some of the lesser known Irish bands like Thin Lizzy, Horslips, More Power to Your Elbow and Goats Don't Shave.
Like a lot of Irish bands, the Brazen Heads are in high demand on St. Patrick's Day.
Describing the day as a "logistical nightmare" and "absolutely mad," Mackey says the band still loves it despite the chaos.
Reflections over green beer
While college students of every background may use St. Patrick's Day as a reason to drink, some Irish ASU students take time to reflect on their Irish background while chugging their pints.
"To me, St. Patty's day is a day where I get to think about my Irish heritage, and yes, get loaded," says Alex Spinks, a political science and history junior.
Megan Wadding, a political science and creative writing junior, says St. Patrick's Day festivities have toned down for her over the years.
"I grew up in Pittsburgh with my entire family around, so St. Patrick's Day was always huge. Everyone was dressed in green with shamrock pins," Wadding says. "Now I just wear some green that day."
Wadding says that the holiday isn't as big of a deal here as it is on the East Coast.
"I suppose that has something to do with the higher concentrations of Irish immigrants and their descendants being in East Coast cities, rather than out West," Wadding says.
But Spinks is willing to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with anyone, no matter his or her background.
"I love the fact that people celebrate it for whatever reason they choose. It's the one day a year where no matter what ethnicity you are, you're Irish for 24 hours," Spinks says.
Reach the reporter at: christina.caldwell@asu.edu.
