Celebrating St. Paddy’s Day in true Irish style
ENJOYING the holiday in Ireland were Sondi Toll Sepenuk and Jodi Roy Wilson.
We often use the word “pub” interchangeably with the word “bar” when referring to a drinking establishment. But it’s important to remember what a pub actually is: a public house. Nowhere is this truer than in Ireland, where people from all walks of life, both young and old, gather daily to throw back a pint while discussing the news and views of the day.
During an event-filled week I spent in Ireland over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, I discovered things about this wonderful country that you can only learn by actually being there, talking with taxi drivers, bartenders, strangers on a train, and yes, locals that you meet in a pub. For instance, did you know that it’s never, ever, St. Patty’s Day? St. Paddy’s Day is the correct pronunciation and in case you’re wondering, yes, I learned that the hard way. Rugby is the national pastime; during the matches, pubs fill to capacity, spilling into the streets, drinks in hand. If you’re from the west coast of the United States, a star struck Irishman may excitedly tell you that your accent “makes him feel like he’s watching Netflix!”
The true flavor of Dublin is in its different neighborhoods. Ballsbridge, Sandymount, Blackrock, the north side – get out of the city center and this is where you meet the people who live and work and play within their communities.
GUINNESS was the favorite choice among patrons.
I’m here for St. Paddy’s Day, though, so let’s get the scoop. First off, and sorry to disappoint, but there’s no green beer. There is a lot of is Guinness beer. Pints and pints of Guinness beer. If you don’t love the bitterness of Guinness, you can order a “Guinness & Black” which is a Guinness with a drizzle of black currant. It completely changes the flavor and made me love the beer but made the bartenders shake their heads in gentle protest (they are hard core about their traditional Guinness so order at your own risk). Popular live Irish music plays in the pubs and every single local person knows every single word to every single song. The theme of this year’s joyfully whimsical St. Patrick’s Festival parade was Adventures (Eachtraí), and was attended by over half a million spectators, made up of tourists, locals, and families. Dancers, floats and fourteen marching bands weaved through the streets as throngs of onlookers strained for a better view. Hands down the biggest and loudest crowd cheer award went to the waste management workers (pooper scoopers to you and me), who followed behind the parade horses, reveling in their extremely important position of the day.
The people of Ireland are as kind and as lovely as you can imagine, and I’m grateful to have spent time with them celebrating their grandest holiday. The next time I’m in an American bar, I’ll be sure to raise a glass of Guinness and toast my new pub friends on the other side of the sea. May your luck be like the capital of Ireland – always Dublin!
By Sondi Toll Sepenuk
Category: Entertainment
