St. Patrick's Day Warning

Posted By Blackfive

Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here’s a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
                       And see all those snakes again.

Matty O'Blackfive here blogging from the fine establishment of Grace O'Malley's to discuss a religious holiday.  Not only is Ms. O'Malley's one of my favorite pubs in Chicago, Gracie was pirate, too!

Ah, but on to a favorite topic of mine - St. Patrick's Day.   *sigh*  Glorious St. Patrick's Day...

Yeah, I know I'll get some comments that St. Patrick's Day in New York, Boston or Chicago brings out the worst amateur drinkers known to man. And that maybe true, but I don't let 'em spoil a fine holiday.  Why should you?

I still love it here in Chicago the most.  Sure Boston and New York have good celebrations.  But in Chicago, we dye our river Green.  Beat that, Boston!  Here's a picture from a live blogcast of St. Paddy's Day two years ago just two blocks from my humble home (the Sun Times building is now gone being replaced by the Trump Tower).

Chicago has not just one St. Patrick's Day Parade but three.  Downtown.  Southside Irish.  And Northwest Irish.  I'm probably missing some other smaller ones.

What's the difference between the Southside Irish and the Northwest Irish?  About 135 degrees...I kid, I kid!

Really, there isn't much difference.  It just gives us yet another parade to watch and excuse to drink.  Hell, we Irish would celebrate Spleen Day with a Harp or Guinness if such a day existed. *raises glass to Spleens everywhere*

So look for more on the holiday about St. Patrick - the patron saint of Guinness! - in the coming days.

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Comments

[COB]

Erin Go Brau. As it is clear that Chicago and Boston have remarkable festivities for St. Patrick's Day; let us not forget the good people of Savannah, GA. The parade in Savannah also features about 400 steely-eyed killers from the 1st Ranger Battalion.
I have very fond memories of River Street during the celebrations.
http://www.savannahsaintpatricksday.com/index.html

[Viper1]

Cmon now, here in Beantown the Irish wouldnt waste good green stuff to dye the river when they could drink it! j/k.

Besides nothing in the known universe could change the color of the Charles river..

[Plastic Paddies]

A load of gobshites the lot of you. Feckin plastic paddies. It is eejits like yourself that make the residents of Dublin flee on Paddy's Day every year.

[1charlie2]

Well, I'll be in DC on that day. Not exactly celebrating, but certainly affirming something. Anyone else coming along ?

[Jaimo]

Matty O', I must admit to being either a failed Irishman or an unredeemed one, as for the 7 years I've been ensconced in the NW Chicago suburbs I've yet to see the river green on St Paddy's day... (The logistics of such an incursion are slightly more daunting from the burbs, as sadly I am NOT airborne qualified...)

However, the question needs to be raised as to your passion for Grace O'Malley's is tied to your former days in Mil Intel. (Never have I seen such an impressive web site that Does NOT mention the establishment address!!). I know, I know, IF I needed to know, someone whould tell me!!

Erin Go Bragh!

[Marc]

Hey Matty!

Used to live in Chi-town and miss it dearly! No better place to spend St. Patty's Day and the Green River is just one of the many touches that Chicago does for this day.

Was blown away to hear that the Sun Times Bldg. is no longer. That spot on Michigan Ave. right along the river is my favorite in the city, at night there is no place more beautiful to be.

Fond memories of O'Malley's Pub at the U of I in Urbana - singing American Pie at midnight and drinking those Blue @#$^%#'s

Those were the days!

[Chrissy]

Cheeeeeeers from a fellow IRISH.

[invernessie]

1charlie2 - I'll be there

Jaimo - Just look under "Contact Us", you'll see the address is 1416 S. Michigan Avenue. Spent many a fine evening in the restaurant (and need I say bar?)

Good times, good times.

[Vince P]

I'm a Italian-American south-sider in Chicago.

St. Patricks day is probably right up with Arbor Day as the dumbest holiday ever.

It's so embarassing to have to contend with overgrown Irish frat boys who are now in Marketing, Sales or indentured worker for Daley, making fools of themselves in the streets as they shout and holler their unintelligible grunts as loud as they can in their drunken stupors.

Ugh!

[Old Tanker]

"Practice makes perfect, there's many do think, but a man's not too perfect when he's practiced at drink."

Pionta Guinness, le do thoil!!

[Sgt. Mom]

So, what did St. Patrick do, as he got ready to drive the snakes out of Ireland?

He adjusted the rear-view mirror, looked over his shoulder and asked, "Are yizz in t'back all reet, then?"

I'm here all week; try the veal and don't forget to tip your waitress...

[red river]

What is St Pat's Day? Why is everyone in Chicago taking it off?

[Bob]

1charlie2 - You bet I will be at the Wall as well.

Being a Chicago native, I have seen the river dyed green before. Actually, I can remember the time when it used to boil from all the chemicals that were dumped in it.

Nope, got a far better thing to do on the 17th. Eagles-Up

[Sean]

Q:What is St. Patiricks day??
A:It is a state of mind.
For some reason every year St. Patricks Day becomes closer to my Favorite Holiday. Second only to Thanksgiving this year. Next year I will be 40 So St. Paddy will probably be my favorite.

God Bless

[Plastic Paddies]

Since we stopped bombing the Brits we dont need Americans and their money anymore. That was the only good thing about Paddys Day in the USA, loads of cash for the boys in the 'RA.

Now you can keep it, stuff it up your arse, you are free to do as you wish. Never liked plastic paddys anyway.

[paul williams]

I came across a web-site of a company based in Ireland that will actually catch a leprechaun for you. The web-site can be found at www.catchaleprechaun.com

regards

paul

[Kat]

haha a lot more places dye their rivers, canals, etc.! Don't think ur the only one