On Wednesday, March 17, the whole world will be going green – with absolutely no disagreement. This is the day when the Irish, and those with even a tiny speck of Irish blood in their veins, will raise a glass and “have the craic.”
Cheapflights.com has compiled the list of what will be greened and the local St. Paddy’s Day parades taking place, along with a suggestion for an Irish pub in each city where you can sink a pint of the black stuff.
Sydney Opera House
The green light will go on at 6:30pm on March 17 to mark 200 years of St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Australia. Today, anyone can join in, but in 1810, the entertainment was for the Irish convict workers, courtesy of Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of New South Wales.
The St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 21, and will be followed by a free Family Day Concert at Hyde Park.
Our pick of the Irish pubs in Sydney is Scruffy Murphy’s on Goulbourn Street. If you’re out in the burbs, then check out The Harp on Princes Hwy.
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London Eye
Towering on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye turns slowly – each rotation taking 30 minutes. When weather permits there are views of up to 25 miles, as far as Windsor Castle.
London’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Sunday, March 14, with marching bands, dancers and floats. All 32 counties of Ireland will be represented and there will be fun activities for all the family in Trafalgar Square.
On Fleet Street in Central London you’ll find the Tipperary, an unspoilt, proper Irish pub.
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In a city that goes green in a big way – green beer, green bagels, green hair, it’s fitting that the Empire State Building should go green, as construction of the Empire, as locals call it, started on March 17, 1930.
The New York Parade, along Fifth Avenue, has been going strong since 1762, starting at 44th Street at 11am on March 17 and winding its way past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and its conclusion at 86th Street some five hours later.
Paddy Reilly’s at 519 Second Avenue near East 29th Street is a straight-up, no-nonsense pub with Guinness on tap (naturally).
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CN Tower
The world’s tallest tower at 1814 feet (a third of a mile) will cast its green glow across Toronto this St. Patrick’s Day. A couple of days before that, on Sunday March 14, Toronto will hold its parade, starting from Bloor and St. George and marching along to the review stand at Nathan Philips Square.
In a town full of great Irish pubs, it’s hard to pick just one, but Cheapflights.com suggests downing a glass or two at McVeigh’s on Church Street, among others.
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Chicago River
Dyeing the river green is an Irish miracle. Word has it that orange dye goes into the water and a leprechaun helps to turn it that magnificent shade of green. The miracle will take place at 10:45am on Saturday, March 13.
The parade, also on March 13, starts at Balbo and Columbus and the viewing stand will be in front of Buckingham Fountain.
The Irish Oak in Wrigleyville on the Northside pulls a mean pint; it has the “Perfect Pint Award” from Guinness to prove it.
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San Antonio River
On March 13 at 3pm, the San Antonio River in Texas will become, for as long as the dye lasts, the fabled River Shannon. On the same day, San Antonio will have two parades – one on land and one on water.
For a pint afterwards, the Guinness Pub Crawl will take in six pubs including Waxy O’Connors on the San Antonio Riverwalk.
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The White House
St Patrick’s Day is always a big day at the White House in Washington D.C. The Taoiseach (the Irish prime minister) comes to call on the US President, presenting him with a cut-glass bowl of shamrock, and celebrating the remarkable ties between Ireland and the United States.
This year, for the second time, the White House fountains will go green. The Obamas brought this tradition with them from Chicago.
Washington DC’s parade takes place on Sunday, March 14, starting at Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets at midday.
Then it’ll be off to Ireland’s Four Fields on Connecticut Avenue for Guinness, Jamesons and probably Loaded Potato Skins or Potato Soup…
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When it comes to celebrations, the Irish are among the most energetic so it’s no surprise that the St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin should last for six days. Street theatre, music, comedy, fireworks, dance, visual art – all free.
The Parade will start at Parnell Square at midday on March 17 and snake its way through the centre of Dublin and up to Patrick Street. The performers will know exactly what to do, having already taken part in London’s parade on March 14.
For a pint? Mulligans of Poolbeg Street. No frills. The quality of the Guinness pulled here tells you everything you need to know.
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