Celtic Pride
Your St. Patrick’s Day celebration may be a bit quieter than in years’ past, but that’s no reason to skip the party completely. Embracing the resilient spirit of the Irish, you can find smaller ways to celebrate the city’s Irish heritage while still enjoying music, dancing, and, of course, whiskey.
Whether you want to raise a socially distant pint or bring the party home, here are some to say “Sláinte!” on St. Patrick’s Day.
The Irish Heritage Center, 3905 Eastern Ave., will hold its St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 17, with the pub opening at 3 p.m., with an Irish Mass at 2 p.m. Though seating is limited, the IHC does offer a “Hundred Thousand Welcomes” (Cead Mile Failte) to all who enter the great hall. Entertainment throughout the day includes Irish and Celtic music, dancers, sing-alongs, children’s arts and crafts, and visit from St Patrick himself, with story time into the late evening. Because of social distancing, guests are asked to register in advance. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
Rather celebrate at home? Try your hand at baking Irish Buttermilk Scones (recipe below) courtesy of IHC founder Maureen Kennedy from a family recipe. The IHC also offers Irish boxed sandwiches ($10 each) with your choice of
Corned Beef sandwich with Thousand Island dressing and coleslaw
Atlantic smoked salmon with arugula, lemon, caper and chives on a French croissant
Cherrywood ham, smoked cheddar and Dijon poppy seed butter on a brioche bun
Chickpea and barley pita with hummus and grilled Mediterranean vegetables
Each box comes with a snack and cookie. Order by calling in your selection at (513) 533-0100.
The Irish Center has also coordinated a live stream with one of Dublin’s best bands, Dereck Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones. The show will be available to stream beginning at 5 p.m. If want to join the virtual event, call the Irish Center to learn more, and please register before March 17.
Molly Malone’s, 112 E. Fourth St. Covington, will hold its traditional St. Patrick’s Day party, creating a safe and fun celebration with social distancing, limited capacity and durations, and mask requirements. The bar will have live on two floors, with Liam’s Fancy (12 p.m., second floor), Grey Dogs (1 p.m., third floor), Lost Celts (6 p.m., second floor), and Easter Rising (7 p.m., third floor), and pipers and Irish dancers stopping by all day.
Make reservations online, with $10 cover. With limited capacity, stays are limited to 2.5 hours, so as many people as possible will be able to attend and enjoy the festivities. Court Street will be closed, with outdoor tables for dining and drinks.
Doors open at 7 a.m. for kegs ’n’ eggs, with the first 100 guests receiving a St. Patrick’s Day 2021 t-shirt.
Want to sleep in a bit? Head to Fishbowl At The Banks, 141 E Freedom Way, for Shamrock Juice, the featured fishbowl, or green tea Jell-O shots. Live music starts at noon, with Michael Paulik (12-4 p.m.), Brad Martin (4-6 p.m.), Nick Heffron (6-10 p.m.), DJ Steve The Greek (10 p.m.-midnight). You can enjoy the music onstage and streaming live on the Fishbowl Facebook page, so you can bring the party home.
Nicholson’s, 625 Walnut St., will have performances from bagpiper Robert Reid and the Cincinnati Highland Dancers throughout the day, with musician Mike Haskins from 6-9 p.m. Along with live music, the tavern will have Irish fare and drink specials, with Guiness, Harp, and Smithwick’s on tap.
You can also have your own celebration with their St. Patrick’s Day Carryout Package, with corned beef and cabbage and smoked salmon for $25. Call (513) 564-9111 to reserve your feast.
Photos courtesy Maureen Kennedy/Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
–Tricia Suit
