Irish Themed Slots
Almost every gambler in the world has called upon the “luck of the Irish” at least a few times in their lives. The term seems to have begun as an old mining expression, one that began after many Irish-Americans found fortunes during the gold and silver rushes of the 19th century. Today, however, most people hear this phrase and simply think about good fortune in general – especially if they have at least a little bit of a connection to Ireland through their ancestry.
More than that, Ireland is a nation that comes with some very vivid imagery (most of it green). That has made it a popular theme for slot machine manufacturers, who can play on many aspects of this island nation when creating themes for their games. Whether we’re talking about leprechauns, rolling green hills, four-leaf clovers or fairies, there are an endless number of instantly recognizable ideas that can be used in Irish-themed slots.
éire Provides Inspiration for Developers
Even for people who have never set foot on Ireland, there are a number of thematic elements that everyone associates with the island and the country that share that name. The color green, for instance, is inexorably linked with Irish culture, as are other icons like shamrocks, pots of gold, and the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
But most of all, the people of Ireland have become known for their association with luck, and it is likely this stereotype that has made this culture such a popular choice for online slots. Who doesn’t want an extra dose of good fortune when they spin the reels? A machine using this machine may not actually be any more “lucky” than the next game, but it doesn’t hurt to feel positive every time you spin the reels. Throw in the fact that the bright, positive color schemes associated with this theme makes for attractive games, and you have a winning idea that has been used time and time again throughout the industry in many different ways.
Games Using This Theme
As we’ve already said, there are more than just a few machines out there that use this backdrop as a basis for the action they provide. It’s hard to cut a list of such games down to just a few that are worth mention, but after looking at what is out there, some games do tend to stand out from the pack. The following are some of our favorite Irish themed slots on the market today:
Golden Shamrock (NetEnt): Bright blue skies, bags of treasure and pots of gold – what else could you ask for from a slot machine based on this culture? In Golden Shamrock, you’ll be matching some very stereotypical symbols, from bright green hats to pints of beer. Leprechauns provide a wild symbol for this game, while scatters can offer you a way to earn free spins that also come with multipliers as large as 5x on all of your winnings.
Pot O’ Gold (NextGen Gaming): The three-reel machine uses a lighter theme, but it is still clearly a game that comes straight out of Ireland. With just one payline, you might think that this title would get boring fast, but a wild 5x multiplier symbol and the potential to earn bonus spins when you bet the maximum of three coins will make sure you are constantly on your toes while you play.
Shamrock Isle (Rival Gaming): From the moment you load this game, you’ll be greeted by an endless stream of images that evoke thoughts of Ireland. There are, as always, leprechauns, but you’ll also see overflowing pots filled with gold, clovers, and even fantastic beasts like unicorns. In the free spins bonus game, the wild symbol will even expand to fill up entire reels, giving you a greater chance of scoring multiple wins on every game.
Irish Eyes 2 (NextGen Gaming): The sequel to the first game in this series, this title features five reels of action and 25 paylines in total. Along with the expected bright green imagery and some cute Irish-themed quotes and sayings that are displayed below the reels, this machine also features music from the Emerald Isle, a wild symbol that can earn you thousands of coins, and a free spins game that can earn you up to 20 games with triple the normal prizes.
Emerald Isle (NextGen Gaming): This may be one of the older slots on our list, and features simpler graphics, but it exemplifies the theme as well as any Internet gambling game we’ve seen. Classic symbols like pots of gold, rainbows, and red-haired women fill up the reels, while the leprechaun serves as a wild and a bonus round allows you to win up to 100 times the amount you’ve wagered on any spin.
Of course, this is just a small sampling, as there are dozens of other slots that use this theme, and more are being developed all the time. With so many games out there, it is clear that the Irish theme is here to stay – and we can only hope that you’ll find luck the next time you play one of these machines!
