Irish pubs going green

Get your green on, it's time to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

In Picton, the Seumus's Irish Bar started its celebrations this morning with a traditional Irish breakfast.

The first of five bands, Smooth Groove, also tuned up at breakfast to get punters in the mood.

"It's time to enjoy the craic, celebrate with mates," said Seumus's Irish Bar owner Alistair Hawthorne, who along with his wife, Sue, have been Irish Bar publicans for six years.

"Back home [Northern Ireland – County Londonderry], St Pat's is a whole family-day thing, everyone takes part," Mr Hawthorne said.

It is a big day for the Irish bar. They have a marquee in the car park to cope with the extra patrons, staff numbers go from the usual four to 17 and there is a $100 prize for the best-dressed man and woman – Irish theme, of course.

Mr Hawthorne said the band members will be the judges – "so there is no chance of favouritism.

"St Patrick's Day just gets bigger every year for us. Everyone round here gets into it," he said.

"We've had people emailing and calling to make sure we were doing it again this year. Even some from overseas."

The regular Seumus's "jammers" will play today along with Thieving Gypsy Bastards, Midge McLeary and the Acoustasonics and at 6pm it's time for the younger set to perform with traditional Irish and Celtic dancing.

And, of course, where would any Irish pub be without their Irish wolfhound? Fionbar will keep his eye on proceedings throughout the day.

The biggest day on the Irish calendar is also being celebrated with music, food and, naturally, Guinness, at other bars in Blenheim today. Several people lined up for an Irish breakfast at Paddy Barrys Irish Pub, washed down with pints of Guinness.

Pub owner Paul McElhinney said he expected the party would really get under way from noon and be pumping by 4.30pm.

"Last year it was just chaos, we were completely full by 6pm," Mr McElhinney said.

- The Marlborough Express

Newest First

Oldest First