By Johnny Caldwell BBC News

Guinness is very popular on St Patrick's Day

The campaign is centred around a petition, which it hopes one million people will sign or endorse by midnight on Sunday 16 March.

It will then be presented to Congress the following day, which of course any Irish man, woman, child or indeed self-respecting plastic paddy will of course know is St Patrick's Day.

The petition can be signed in bars and off-licences - excuse my American 'liquor stores' - across the US as well as online.

However, despite millions of Americans claiming to have at least a little bit of Irish in them, the chances of St Patrick's Day being a national holiday in the US are thought to be low.

It would, cultural analysts say, open the flood gates for people of every nationality - actual and adopted - to call for their particular holidays 'back home' to be recognised with a holiday.

Stout suppers

Meanwhile, it has emerged that rumours of a demise in the popularity of the black stuff as former stout suppers opt for wine and lighter beers appear to have been greatly exaggerated.

Figures from the first six months of 2007 show that Guinness sales increased by 3% in pubs in Ireland. It also increased its share in the off-licence sector.

The petition can be endorsed online

But rumours still prevail about whether Guinness may actually move from its world-famous home, St James Gate in Dublin, and relocate elsewhere in the city or indeed further afield.

A company spokesman has been quoted as saying "we're still a few months away from a final decision".

Subsequently, it appears the issue, like a pint of Guinness, may take a while to settle...