Happy St. Paddy’s Day friends.
It’s the day that all Americans pretend they are Irish (some unaware that they are indeed, not Irish). Americans host parties, throw parades, lean in to heavy drinking and pretend it’s not something that they do every weekend.
Today I will be imbibing in a few tipples myself, though likely no Guinness this round and likely celebrating from home. Gone are my days of waiting in line to get into an overfilled American Irish pub, where the bag-pipe players come parading in, dressed in kilts (completely unironically), and pushing to the bar to buy plastic cups filled with Harp. I actually had a moment today of, “I’d love to go to a pub this evening and listen to some music!”. Then I remembered the actual experience that is St. Paddy’s Day, and thought better of it.
No, I will observe today with a good glass or two of red wine, hopefully capping the night off with a dip in the hot tub with the hubby. I’ve selected the bottle: Columbia Winery, Malbec 2019. It’s as big as a Guinness in taste, and a deep inky purple. Yum!
The real magic of Ireland is in its people. Storytellers, artists, and dreamers who see opportunity before them to create a more beautiful community. And the pub has been at the heart of that community for a long time, as a central gathering place and a chance to catch up on the local gossip. Starting in Galway, where I went to school for a spell during college, I fell deeply in love with the carpeted floors, old tables, and friendly bar keeps. My favorite part of the pub was actually the food. As a poor student the best lunch was a bowl of homemade soup, usually potato based, with some soda bread and fresh butter. Might add a pint of cider if I was feeling spendy but either way, the meal was satisfying and warm, always. I met musicians that showed me how to play the accordion, danced to Danny Boy and Fairytale in New York a million times, tried a ‘girly’ Guinness (take a half pint, add some black current to it – lightens it up and is actually quite good), and just simply enjoyed myself. Irish pubs are everywhere now, and if there is an Irish pub in a city, I will usually find it and stop in to say hello.
Each time I go back to Ireland, I seek out the less traveled spots. Give me a quite pub, with only a few seats, in a small town and I’m happy as a clam. That said, Dublin is a favorite place of mine. Such a special city, country, and place in the world.
So, enjoy your St Paddy’s Day and kick up your heels in whatever way suits you best.
Sláinte!
mumura 