March 16th, 2012 
The shamrock (photo credit: ThinkStock)
Whether you are of Irish descent or just like wearing green, St. Patrick’s Day is a day of celebration, libations, and festivities. In Ireland, the St. Patrick’s Day Festival is a 5-day event.
Seattle hosts a bevy of options for families and young adults alike, whether you enjoy the food, music, dance, or beverages that Ireland is famous for, there is something for you to do in the city.
PRE-CELEBRATION
St. Patrick’s Day Mass for Peace
Annual gathering of Catholics and others on St. Patrick’s Day in a Protestant Church for a Catholic Mass for Peace in Ireland. Main celebrant is Seattle’s Catholic Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo.
WHEN: Friday, March 16, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Plymouth Congregational Church
1217 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Ph. 206-622-4865
MORE INFORMATION: For information, visit the Irish Club, call 425-290-7839.
F.X. McRory's Steak Chop & Oyster House (Photo Credit: seattlerestaurants.info)
Mayor’s Proclamation Lunch
Governor Christine Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and other dignitaries will issue proclamations of Irish Week 2012. Among the special guests will be the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal, the Honorary Grand Marshal and other dignitaries. This is also the annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Seniors Luncheon for Irish Seniors and their spouses or significant others who are invited to join the dignitaries from Ireland.
WHEN: Friday, March 16, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: F.X. McRory’s Steak Chop & Oyster House
419 Occidental Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98194
Ph. 206- 623-4800
RESERVATIONS: Advance reservations are required – for tickets and more information, call 206-361-1713 or email JaneS@irishclub.org.
FAMILY FUN
Green Stripe Laying (photo credit: Green Stripe Laying)
Green Stripe Laying on 4th Avenue
Ride a flat-bed truck down the center of 4th Avenue to mark the route of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. At Westlake, we paint a large shamrock and then hold an impromptu Crossroads Céili dance. Each year, anyone and everyone is invited to come along for the ‘craic’ – an Irish (Gaelic) word meaning “a lot of fun”.
WHEN: Friday, March 16, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Most participants gather at F X McRory’s at 6:30 PM to ride the flat-bed truck up to Prefontaine Park.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: For more information, call 206-548-9859, email IrishWeek@irishclub.org, or visit Green Stripe Laying.
2012 IRISH FESTIVAL
The weekend Festival kicks off at 10:00 a.m. in the Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall (beside the Opera House), with booths selling Irish and Celtic products, Irish food and libations, Irish music, singing, dancing, workshops, lectures, cultural displays, an Irish art exhibit, children’s contests and activities, and so on. On Sunday afternoon, there’s a drawing for free round-trip tickets to Ireland. Register at the Irish Heritage Club Booth.
WHEN:March 17 and
18, 2012
- Saturday :10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
on Mercer St at 2nd Ave, next to the Opera House
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: For more detailed information, call 206-223-3608 or email IrishWeek@irishclub.org.
IRISH FACT: The shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world takes place in Dripsey, Cork. The parade lasts just 100 yards and travels between the village’s two pubs.
39th Annual Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
View this fun parade full of color, kilts, and bagpipes north on 4th Ave past the Reviewing Stand at Westlake Park before officially ending at the closing ceremonies at the Seattle Center at 2 p.m.. Parade watchers can ride the Monorail between Westlake Park and the Seattle Center 1:30 p.m.to 2:30 p.m., free of charge to enjoy the closing ceremonies and the Irish Festival.
WHERE: Starting at 4th Ave from Jefferson St to Pine St.
Downtown Seattle, WA 98109
WHEN: March 17, 2012, 12:30 pm
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: For more information, For more information, call 206-412-2960 or email IrishWeek@irishclub.org or Parade@irishclub.org.
St. Patrick’s Day Dash and Leprechaun Lap
Seattle St. Patrick's Day Dash (photo credit: Seattle St. Patrick's Day Dash)
Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day Dash, with nearly 15,000 participants, is a great activity for the whole family. Participants can run, jog, walk or crawl the 3.75 mile course in either timed or two non-timed sessions. Parents can join their 10 and under kiddos in the half mile Leprechaun Lap which ends in the Children’s Museum.
WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2012.
- Leprechaun Lap: 8:00 a.m.
- St. Patrick’s Day Dash: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Dashes begin on Mercer St. and 3rd Avenue outside T.S McHugh’s
Seattle, WA 98109
COST: Leprechaun Lap $10, St. Patrick’s Day Dash $35
REGISTRATION: There is no race-day registration. For more information and to register, visit St. Patrick’s Day Dash. “Last Gasp” registration is $35 and ends today at Super Jock N’ Jill.
BENEFITS: Proceeds from the event will be distributed between Seattle Children’s Autism Center, the Healing Center, Rise n’ Shine, and Camp Fire USA Puget Sound Council.
Irish Flag Raising
The Parade Grand Marshals and other dignitaries joined the Mayor of Seattle in raising the Irish Tricolor in front of the King-County Administration Building, followed by the playing of the Irish and US National Anthems.
WHEN: March 17, 2012, 12:20 p.m.
WHERE: In front of the King-County Administration Building
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (photo credit: Zoo)
St. Patrick’s Day at the Zoo
Join the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for their special St. Patrick’s Day enrichment celebration. Animals will enjoy special green attire, toys and treats including decked out green crabs, elephants enjoying grapes they find hidden in large green boomer balls and sea otters frolicking with fun green toys.
WHEN: March 17, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 591-5337
COST: Adults: (13 to 64) $14.50, $12 online / Children (5 to 12) $12.50, $10 online / toddlers (3 to-4) $8.25, $6 online
GROWN-UP ACTIVITIES
As much as I still want to be a kid, it’s still fun to be a grown-up. Ironically, with as much drinking that goes on in the states to celebrate this Irish holiday, in Ireland, at one time in the early 1900’s introduced a law that required pubs and bars to be closed on March 17. It was repealed in the 1970’s. St. Patrick’s Day remains a holiday of religious observance in Ireland, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the CHurch of Ireland.
PUB CRAWLS
Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl
WHEN: March 17, 2012, 2:45 p.m. approximately after the parade.
WHERE: It begins at McCormick’s on 1st Avenue and moves on from there to 10 other pubs before ending up at Fado at about 10 p.m. Find a list of pubs.
Snohomish County Firefighter’s Pipes and Drums Pub Crawl
WHEN: March 17, 2012 see below for times
WHERE: Crawl begins at Shawn O’Donnells,122 128th Street SE Everett, 11:30-3:00; Mick Finsters, 24001 Highway 99 Edmonds 3:45-5:15; The Irishman 2923 Colby Ave, Everett, 6:00-9:00; Shawn O’Donnells, 122 128th Street SE Everett, 10 p.m.
Eastside Firefighter’s Pipes and Drums Pub Crawl
WHEN: March 17, 2012 see below for times
WHERE: Crawl begins at A Terrible Beauty in Renton at noon, on to Paddy Coynes in Bellevue at 2:00 p.m., Finaughty’s at Snoqualmie Ridge at 3:45 p.m., Wilde Rover in Kirkland at 5:30 p.m., Time Out, Central Tavern at 6:00 p.m., then back to Paddy Coynes in Bellevue at 8:00 p.m. and A Terrible Beauty at 10:00 p.m.
DINING
Alderbrook Resort & Spa St. Patrick’s Day Dining Experience
Enjoy an expertly crafted menu from Executive Chef Lucas Sautter and beer pairings by Mac & Jack’s. Dinner will feature six mouthwatering courses including corned beef and cabbage, smoked mackerel, and shepherd’s pie, among several other festive dishes. Each course has been meticulously paired with beer from Mac & Jack’s brewery to create a jovial and delicious combination of flavors to create a perfect meal. Going for the full St. Patty’s day experience? Eliminate the drive and stay for the weekend! Fill your stay with indulgent treatments at the full-service Spa, get in a round on the 18-hole PGA-class golf course, or come back for seconds at The Restaurant at Alderbrook. Room rates start at $275.
WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2012
- Social begins at 6:30 p.m.
- Dinner begins at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Alderbrook Resort & Spa
7101 East State Route 106
Union, WA 98592
COST: $79 per person (must be 21 years or older)
RESERVATIONS: Call (360) 898- 5500
IRISH PUBS TO ENJOY
When I think of going out to eat, I used to think Thai food, Sushi, or Italian. It wasn’t until a good friend of mine and her Irish (directly from Ireland itself) husband, opened the Celtic Swell on Alki that I discovered Irish food. A hearty blend of meats, mashed potatoes, and love, I became a huge fan of Irish food. And now they opened a second bar, C.S. Finnegan’s Irish House, with the grand opening on March 17, 2012, in Belltown. So naturally with a craving for their delicious lamb stew, sausage pastry appetizers, and blue cheese steak, I will start with them.
C.S. Finnegan’s Irish House Grand Opening
Grand Opening (photo credit: C.S. Finnegan's Irish House)
After eight successful years of serving up the best, authentic Irish food and libations to its treasured friends and neighbors in the Alki Beach neighborhood of West Seattle, Celtic Swell Irish Pub owner Gareth Hughes is expanding the Celtic Swell brand by bringing some Irish cheer to the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle with the Grand Opening of C.S. Finnegan’s Irish House on St. Patrick’s Day.
Once an old grocery store, the 1st Avenue location has been lovingly restored and upgraded by Irish-born Hughes himself. C.S. Finnegan’s features a hand crafted mahogany bar, hardwood floors, and a mezzanine level with a second bar, which will also be perfect for game-day and private parties.
St. Patrick’s Day festivities in a huge 40’ x 70’ heated tent outside, complete with TWO bars, will have live music all day long (including Shillelagh Jack, the Shivering Denizens, and Kevin McCormack (straight from Dublin), a rousing performance by the Comerford School of Irish Dance, a visit by the Seattle Fire Dept’s Pipe and Drums Band as the work their way through Downtown Seattle, and t-shirts and door prizes galore.
WHERE: 2604 1st. Ave (at Vine)
Seattle, WA
WHEN: March 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.through 2:00 a.m.
COST: One low cover gets you a drink, free musical entertainment, and give-ways all day long
Since 2004, this pub has been serving the Alki area with delicious food, welcoming atmosphere, and access to the beach. Begin St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish Brunch at 10:00 a.m.
WHEN: March 17, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Live music begins at 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Celtic Swell
2722 Alki Ave. SW
Seattle, WA
206-932-7935
COST: One low cover gets you a drink, free musical entertainment, and give-ways all day long.
Kells Irish Restaurant 29th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Festival
Kell’s is a long-time favorite in Seattle, featuring live Irish music (Mairtin O hUigin, Smokin’ Shamrocks, Liam Gallagher), dancing, traditional foods and more. The festival tent will be up, providing extra room in Post Alley, which will be closed to through traffic.
WHEN: March 17, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with live music starting at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Kell’s Irish Restaurant
1916 Post Alley
Seattle, WA
COST: $5 cover after 7:00 p.m
WHEN: March 17, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. Live music from 2:00 p.m. to close.
WHERE: 1909 3rd Avenue
Enjoy good food, pool, and drinks in Fremont.
WHERE: 3517 Fremont Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 548-1508
Live music from the Kennedy Brothers on Saturday night with no cover and a post-St. Patty’s Day Dash party starting at 9 a.m. Because the best way to rehydrate after a run is with some beer.
WHERE: 801 1st Avenue
Finn MacCools Irish Pub
4217 University Way NE
Seattle, WA
F.X. McRory’s Steak Chop and Oyster House
419 Occidental Avenue South
610 NW 65th St.
WHEN: March 17, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
Live music includes Carrigaline Irish Band, Dan Maher, SFF Pipes and Drums, and Irish Entanglement.
WHERE: 1928 North 45th Street
Seattle, WA
9736 Greenwood Avenue North
Seattle, WA
Live music starting at 2 p.m. Saturday from Boys of Green Wood Glen, the Haggis Brothers, and the Owl N’ Thistle band.
WHERE: 808 Post Ave.
Seattle, WA 98109
(206)282-1910
