St. Patrick's Day -- No Event Planned as Yet

St. Patrick's Day -- No Event Planned as Yet

It has come to my attention that St. Patrick's Day lands on a Saturday this year. One feels it appropriate to exploit this harmonic convergence of party days...and yet, I have no suggestion, no event to propose.

St. Patrick's is one of the great food-centric holidays (beer is food, right) and it'd seem just right to celebrate it somewhere you might be able to taste a bit of corned beef...and tap a glass or two. Maybe do a jig.

Just throwing it out there,

O'Hammond

I'm going to propose we try to do something by way of a private event. Every place of public celebration I've ever been to on St. Patrick's Day has been so overwhelmed with celebrants that it's never been much fun. Music would be essential, and by that I mean traditional Irish music you can drink to. That said, I have no idea where to do such a thing, but that's my two cents' worth.

Jim "it's Mitchell, actually, and my mother's name is Riley" InLoganSquare

JimInLoganSquare wrote:I'm going to propose we try to do something by way of a private event.

How's about a private room in a public space, best of both worlds, don't you know...

Excellent idea, although at this late date (less than a month from the big day), I'll bet we may have trouble finding an appropriately-sized room in an Irish-themed establishment. What about Klas or Sabatino's party room, or some other utterly non-Irish place? Let's all think about it. Put the right music and a couple of kegs of Guiness products in there, and any place with warmth and a place to sit and gab would be just about right, I'll wager.

An option might be Jimmy's Place in Forest Park. It's red sauce Italian, but there are 8 (count em!) Irish bars within a five-minute walk, there's L access to the north and south (green and blue lines), but now, I must get me to American Depot Diner for a late night blue plate (no, I'm not kidding though the biscuits and gravy are out of the question -- thanks for the heads up, laddy).

David "Shem or Sham" Hammond

David Hammond wrote:... there are 8 (count em!) Irish bars within a five-minute walk...

If you can walk to 8 bars in five minutes, then you're a better man than I. Let's look into Jimmy's. The access to public transportation is a good thing.

I'm planning to go to Excel Corned Beef in the next few weeks to pick up a couple of corned beefs and some brisket.

A private event would be nice if someone could put it together. I would be willing to help out with cooking for one. I've got several turkey fryers and a couple of large roasters that I could fix corned beef and cabbage with. I have enough cooking vessels that I could easily cook enough for at least 100. If a couple of people made pastrami and others brought some sides and bread we could have a pretty good Irish Pot Luck party.

I'll be working at an Irish bar on Paddy's Day and I agree that finding a space, public or "back room" that is not a total madhouse is a near certain impossibility. In my experience, the food is crap, the beer is poured too quickly (for Guinness), the waitstaff are harried beyond belief, and I love every minute of it:)

It's just not the day to go out with a group and expect to be able to converse or even hear each other. That said, if you do decide to do a private party, let me know and I will make up some mix cd's for you. I have an extensive -some might say obsessive- collection of Irish music. Pick a theme, trad, rocking, Scottish, I can do it.

Though more orange than green, I love to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day-for my daughter, who has been described as having "the map of Ireland" on her face. Over the years, I have come across some favorite St. Patrick's Day dishes. I'd love to contribute if Bruce's potluck idea materializes. In any case, count me in to help.

I have a dream: to have a Guiness at every Irish pub on Madison in Forest Park this coming Saturday...and perhaps to do a comparison (and thus provide some legitimacy to the whole thing). Details to follow.

I plan to be safely holed up in my bunker, avoiding all the amateurs attempting to become an Irish stereotype. Good luck out there. Don't skin your knuckles in the brawl!

If you don't want to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, here's something else you can go out and celebrate:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Corndog_Day

Or you could all come out to West Chicago and partake of some tacos. The non-St Patrick's event.