How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

[two gun sid]

It's not all about green beer y'know.

[Maeve]

1. Green beer is a travesty

Corned beef, however...with potatoes, no cabbage (except for maybe sauerkraut on a Ruben sandwich made from leftovers!)...a bit of the black stuff to wash it down, maybe a wee glass of the creature later.
:beer:

As a teller of Irish tales, St Pat's is one of my busiest times of the year and I'll be doing a few performances next week, maybe hit one of the bars to hear a good band and dance a step or two. And we always go to a local celebration with stories and music (this year, the headliner is Gaelic Storm)

[two gun sid]

2. Happy St. Patrick's Day, Maeve.

I hope you'll see fit to post a few tales here. I for one would love to read them.

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. In Chicago they dye the river green, LOL.

Parade was today. This year, to raise money for the city coffers, they auctioned off the right to dye the river to the highest bidder on eBay. Some corporation bought the right to do it instead of someone from the pipefitters union.

:eyes:

[two gun sid]

4. Did you go to the parade?

And how will you and your family celebrate?

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. No, I didn't go....

Aside from the fact it is 25 degrees here today, I had family coming to visit -- the triplets, their mother and my sister and her husband -- to see me and my elderly mother.

I will celebrate Thursday in the evening with my sweetie, and we will surely put back a bit of Powers. It is a work day after all.

How will you celebrate?

On edit: We'll probably also share some good Irish tunes...the real stuff.

[two gun sid]

7. Cold outside Detroit today also.

I have to work but, I'll wear a green shirt with a Sinn Fein pin. (No one but my Brit boss knows what it means.) After work I have to AI one of my broodmares as she should be ready the 15th and 17th. (An Irishman with racehorses imagine that.)

I quit drinking about 12 yrs ago so no Guinness for me. But, maybe some corned beef and cabbage and some good Irish tunes. I've got a double CD of Ron Kavana I haven't listened to in a while. I no longer practice the faith of my childhood so no mass.

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day, greatauntoftriplets.

[greatauntoftriplets]

12. I also have to work Thursday, but will wear something green.

Though not my Sinn Fein t-shirt as we are not allowed casual stuff like that at the office. No church either; I am a recovering Catholic.

How many racehorses do you own? How fascinating.

I don't like corned beef and so will have something different for dinner.

Have a great St. Patrick's Day, sid.

[two gun sid]

13. Right now I have two.

Both 2 yr olds. A gelding named Mickey Gilly and a filly, CJ's Cinderella. They are standardbreds. I race on the Michigan Sire Stakes circuit. Nothing expensive like thoroughbreds although they are my real passion. I've also got 3 broodmares. It's a fun hobby.

Recovering Catholic, I like that. Even as a little boy I didn't think too highly of Mother Church.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

5. Mr. Wonderful and I usually get up early around 7:00 AM

and head to the local Irish bar to watch the telecast of the All-Ireland Club Hurling and Football Finals from Croke Park in Dublin.

That lasts until about 11:00 AM, then we go home and I put on the corned beef from Winston's (great stuff by the way) cut up the cabbage and turnip, peel carrots and potatoes.

We usually eat at 4:00 pm and once I have the dishes done, we head out for a few jars with friends.

We don't do either of the parades in Chicago. BTW, I was absolutely disgusted that the City did what they did this year about dyeing the river. I always thought the plumbers dyed the river, not the fitters.

Another Chicago tradition, down the drain.

[two gun sid]

9. That sounds like a good time.

Chicago is a great Irish-American city. I go there a couple of times a year for racing. Hawthorne and Arlington. I'll be there for the Illinois Derby next month.

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day, mohinoaklawnillinois.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

11. Thanks, two gun sid and the same to you..n/t

[catchnrelease]

8. To get into the mood

last night I watched Waking Ned Devine, it has one of my favorite endings in a film..... (Ok, I know it wasn't filmed in Ireland, but it's still a treat to watch.) Tomorrow will go to the LA County Irish Fair and Music Festival. It's changed venues half a dozen times and IMO is finally getting back to where it's worth going to. So there should be lots of good music, food and drink and goodies to buy. Also one of my favorite book sellers will be there. Always pick up something interesting from their selection of Irish titles. By Thursday, which is a work day for me also, it will probably just be a nice dinner of maybe a pork roast, potatoes and ?. And a sip of Tyrconnell for desert. Mmmmm.

[two gun sid]

10. I didn't know LA had an Irish Fair. That sounds like a good time.

That roast pork sounds good too. Have a Happy St. Patricks Day, catchnrelease.

By the way do you flyfish for trout and salmon?

[catchnrelease]

14. The fair is improving

It's been going on for quite a few years now. The first one I went to was at an equestrian facility and seemed to be mainly vendors of various sorts, and some music. Then it moved to the Santa Anita Racetrack and really grew into a nice event.....as I said above....lots of music, dance competitions, food, etc. Then for some reason it was moved out to the San Fernando Valley in a park area that was dusty, hot, windy and each year got smaller and smaller. At that time it was called the Great American Irish Fair. I'd stopped going by then. Last year came across the info about the "new" one at the Pomona Fairgrounds. I don't know if this one has any ties to the old one, but am really glad it's taking off. While there seem to be lots of Highland Games etc. in So Cal, Irish events are few and far between. Have been chomping at the bit waiting for this weekend!

Why yes, I do flyfish but so far, only for trout. Actually, I've just been learning to flyfish, having only done baitfishing (also for trout) in the past. I really love it, especially when I can make an easy hook and release with little trauma. My SO and I went to some beautiful spots in NW WY last summer where I got lots of practice with the fly rod. When I eventually get to Ireland, I'll be ready to test the waters there!!

Happy St Patricks to you as well!!!! :toast:

[two gun sid]

15. Have a good time.

Good to talk to a fellow fly caster.

[mcscajun]

16. The devil take "green beer" and all such clap-trap

I'll be listening to The Chieftains "Boil the Breakfast Early" on my ride into NYC to see the great parade with friends and family. Afterward, we'll repair to the East Side for a boisterous dinner and drinking celebration.

Then on Sunday, Pearl River has their parade and it's a grand yet informal street fair surrounding it.

Baileys it is for me. I'm just not that much of a drinker beyond the occasional glass of hard cider; Guinness is truly out of my league.

[two gun sid]

17. St. Paddy's Day in NYC sounds too cool.

I envy you being there. I've always wanted to see the NYC parade. Our parade in the Detroit area is today at 2:00 but, I won't be attending.

I hope you and your family have a Happy St. Patrick's Day, mcscajun.

[dflprincess]

26. I've always wanted to see the New York parade too

Both St. Paul and Minneapolis have parades. St.Paul's is at noon and Minneapolis' is later in the afternoon. I've never gone to the Minneapolis parade, only St. Paul. It's fun, but it really doesn't amount to much when compared to New York or Chicago. Prior to the parade, there is usually music and dance at the Landmark Center in St. Paul which I enjoy. But I don't think I'll make it over there this year and I've out grown the urge to go out for a few drinks to celebrate.

Several years ago there was an article in the Minneapolis paper about St. Patrick's Day celebrations. There was a theory that one reason they tend to get so rowdy in the northern climates is that everyone has cabin fever and it's and excuse to bust loose. This is probably why the local transit company is giving free rides from 6pm tomorrow until 3am the morning of the 18th.

At the time the article appeared, there was a local cartoonist for the paper that had a panel that showed two police cars parked facing each other on a bridge over the Mississippi and had two cops, each leading a handcuffed individual toward the other. The caption was "The annual day after St. Patrick's Day Minneapolis/St Paul prisoner exchange."

[dbt]

18. *SIGH* Everybody in Arkansas swears they're Irish...

even though the state was settled predominantly by the Scots. There is WAY too much fascination with green beer :puke: on St. Patrick's Day; Arkies will consume gallons of that swill and swear to God that they're having a good time!

Two of my bandmates are Irish, so I do have a little guidance as to the proper observance of the day--along with MUCH disinformation and the attempted brainwashing that they are so fond of when in the presence of Yanks. They're a shower of bollocks, but I love them anyway.

We will be playing at Sticky Fingerz Rock And Roll Chicken Shack (the BEST live music venue in Little Rock), heavy up on The Pogues, The Waterboys, Christie Moore and bunches of pub tunes. If they run true to form, the Arkies will start guzzling between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. By showtime, it should be impossible to get into the place and by about the second tune of the first set, madness should prevail.

Steven, our bass player from the County Down, will undoubtedly harangue the audience about "gettin' up off yer arses, muhfuggers" and his war cry of "Dahnce, ya bahstards!" will echo many times. (Christ, if people could understand him, they'd have killed him by now!)

Our Lead Guitarist and Sex God, Gordon from County Galway, will probably show up in a brand new polyester Pimp Suit from the Union Rescue Mission's thrift shop and tell all the girls that he's really from France. He'll regale the audience with utter bullshit, like how his grandfather taught him to rap as the family gathered by the turf fire in their tiny cottage ("fifty-six people in two beds, and that's sayin' nottin' of the waitin' list") back in Loughrea.

Then we'll do "Waxies' Dargle" and "Black Velvet Band" about ninety miles an hour, just to watch people sweat and hear 'em holler!

Bliss, bliss and Heaven...

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

19. dbt, your description of Paddy's Day in

Arkansas is absolutely hilarious. I love it when Yanks just don't get "Irish humor".

BTW, my husband is from Co. Down as well and while my mother was still among us, I had to translate everything he said to her. She never did quite get his accent down.

Hope you and your band have a great Paddy's Day!!!

[two gun sid]

20. Damn dbt, what time should I be at the Chicken Shack?

That sounds like one hell of a good time. I love the Pogue's. If you get a chance play 'White City' or 'Boat Train' for me please.

You and your band mates have a Happy St. Patrick's Day.


"Here a tower shinning bright
Once stood gleaming in the night
Where now there's just the rubble
In the hole here the paddies and the frogs
Came to gamble on the dogs
Came to gamble on the dogs not long ago

Oh the torn up ticket stubs
From a hundred thousand mugs
Now washed away with dead dreams in the rain
And the car-parks going up
And they're pulling down the pubs
And its just another bloody rainy day

Oh sweet city of my dreams
Of speed and skill and schemes
Like Atlantis you just disappeared from view
And the hare upon the wire
Has been burnt upon your pyre
Like the black dog that once raced
Out from trap two"

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[two gun sid]

23. Anybody know why this post was deleted?

[greatauntoftriplets]

25. No, I wondered that myself....

:shrug:

also made me curious.

[Kerrytravelers]

40. What in the world would someone say that was offensive about St. Patrick's

Day? :shrug:

[JohnKleeb]

22. corn beef with potato, carrots, and cabbage

Before my dad quit drinking, I would be able to have a Guiness or something like it. Yes, drinking is part of our family's fabric.

[two gun sid]

24. Will you be listening to any good Irish music?

Too bad about the Guinness. But, I guess it's not what makes the day special.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you JohnKleeb and to the whole Kleeb Family.

[JohnKleeb]

27. We might

I dont know though. Thanks, we're only a quarter Irish sad to say but my Slovak-Slovene mom can cook the meal very well. Yeah, but I like to be able to drink on that day, sigh its cool though.

[two gun sid]

28. Kick for St. Paddy's Day

[catchnrelease]

29. Good one Sid!

Recycle the St Patricks Day thread. Geez, I was halfway thru the posts before I realized it was last years! Getting older definitely has it's drawbacks.

It was raining and cold for SoCal last weekend (upper 40's during the day...even heard of snow in Malibu!)so I didn't go to the Irish Fair as planned. :-( They were supposedly going to move everything into the buildings at the fairgrounds, and being crammed inside with bunches of people didn't sound like fun to me. Ah well, will try for the next fair which is in June.

Anyway, slante to all here..........:toast:

[two gun sid]

34. Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day...

Snow in Malibu? Christ, maybe we will see devolved government in NI this year.

[Maeve]

30. This year, the local celebration goes two days

With Seven Nations on Friday and Eileen Ivers on Saturday. #2 Son is dating an Irish step-dancer, so we'll have to catch her performance and I've already done a couple story-telling gigs with another coming up Saturday....and our 30 anniversary follows a few days later!

The Guinness commercials are right--it HAS become "St Patrick's Day season"!

[two gun sid]

35. The St. Patrick's Season...

and everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day! Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig! Have a good time, mo chara.

[RogueTrooper]

31. Day off work tomorrow!!!

Off to see The Ordinary Boys this evening.
Tomorrow:
Croke Park for the All Ireland tomorrow and then off down O'Connel Street to step around the overly inebriated. Probably wear my kilt as it is about the only green think I own.

Saturday - off to Kitty O'Shea's to watch the Rugby.

Sunday - who knows?

[Maeve]

32. Have a great time!

But be careful stepping around (not over) those drunks--especially if you're wearing a kilt! :eyes: :toast:

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

33. Mr. Wonderful and myself will be up early as well tomorrow morning.

Going to Cullen's in Oak Lawn, IL to watch the All-Ireland Club Football Final live from Croke Park. Mr. Wonderful was born and raised in Co. Down, so we're definitely rooting for St. Gall's, Antrim to win this one...

After that, home again and I'll probably start cooking the corned beef by 2:00 pm or so. After we eat dinner, hopefully I can get Mr. Wonderful shifted and we can go out and have a few scoops.

Happy Paddy's Day everyone. Enjoy....

[two gun sid]

37. Happy St. Patrick's Day, mohinoaklawnillinois!

And Good Luck to St. Gall's.

[two gun sid]

36. Happy St. Patrick's Day, Rogue Trooper.

[newfaceinhell]

38. Guinness and the Pogues

[Kerrytravelers]

39. Normally, we go out to an Irish pub (on the metro) and live it up.

This year, it's a quite evening with the traditional Irish feast (just like both our Mother's always made) and probably to bed early. We've had an exhausting week.