US Motorist Celebrates Every Day With Irish Plate

It's St Patrick's day every day if you're driving around with Carol Ann Martin, from Vermont in the USA. Carol has the number plate IRISH 1 proudly displayed on her car.

Unlike the UK licensing system, where words are formed or implied by a chance combination of characters, the American system allows you, subject to an additional charge, to pick almost any word you want.

Carol's choice was originally blocked by the Department of Motor Vehicles, fearful that any ethnic reference might cause offence. This policy was later reversed by the Supreme Court, who ruled in her favour, allowing her to proudly display what she considers to be a symbol of her heritage.

The authorities were forced to relax their censorship and allow many other similar plate applications and spokesperson, Linda Snyder, confirms that they have not received any complaints so far. The state current licences around 36,000 such 'vanity' plates, as they are referred to.

Speaking about the St Patrick's day celebrations, Carol says: "I like the attention. Everyone is involved whether you're Irish or not". But she is not too happy about the stereotypical association with alcohol. "I'm not a big fan of the drinking," she said. "I think it paints the wrong picture of what the Irish and the holiday are all about."

Carol will celebrate tonight with a traditional dinner of corned beef at her house which is actually in Irish Lane! She may not be too fond of leprechauns but admits to having a tattoo of a shamrock!

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