It has been a year since the pandemic cancelled most Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations around the county, and it looks like we will be spending March 17th without parades again this year. Let’s try to shake off the sadness of what we can’t do and revel in the ways we can celebrate the day. Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling.
Parade
Conshohocken Saint Patrick’s Parade Cancelled for 2021
Fayette Street, Conshohocken
The annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Conshohocken would normally start at Fayette Street and travel down to Elm Street.
Irish Pubs
Special events are off the menu at local pubs, but a few good meals and brews can still be found a few local places. Check out a few places to grab a meal and a brew, and if you can’t have it in the pub, pair it with a movie.
Jack Cassidy’s Irish Pub Pottstown
Where: 990 E High Street, Pottstown
No special events planned for 2021, but they have been known to have a bagpiper stop by during past St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Molly Maguire’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
197 Bridge Street, Phoenixville
Enjoy three levels of pub at St. Patrick’s Day.
Sean Gall’s Dublin Pub
394 N Broad St Ext Nazareth, PA 18064
Known for Irish loaded cheesesteak.
Halligan’s Pub
1619 Bethlehem Pike Flourtown, PA 19031
Serving a traditional American food, breakfast, brunch and dinner.
Kildare’s Public House
18 West Gay St, West Chester
A full Irish Breakfast or Bangers and Mash.
Events Nearby
Go Green at Peddler’s
When: March 13, 14
Where: Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Peddler’s Village will be hosting a wide variety of promotions, live entertainment and a kid-friendly leprechaun hunt. Shops will be open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. To participate in the hunt check in at the hospitality booth near the main green on March 13 and 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. There will also be a Shake Your Shamrock 8k, 5k a one-mile walk or a half-mile kids fun run, the action starts at 11:00 on March 13 and 14.
Wine Weekend and Irish Forever
When: March 13, 14 and 18
Where: Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Newtown, PA
Celebrate at Crossing Vineyards with wine, specialty pairings and live music. Craft brews are also on hand in draft and bottles. For those who missed the fun Ireland Forever picks up with an after party with Irish Music and drink specials on the 18th, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Other Ideas
If you aren’t ready to socialize outside of the home, there are activities that will still be festive. Here are some ideas.
Cook an Irish Meal
Irish food has a bad reputation, but don’t write it off. Explore beyond corned beef and cabbage. Try baking a soda bread. It is one of the easiest breads to bake because there is no yeast or kneading involved, and you probably have most of the ingredients in your cupboards. Irish stew is another satisfying dish, especially if there is a late-winter or early-spring chill in the air. Try these recipes from Simply Recipes: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/irish_soda_bread/ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/irish_beef_stew/.
Dance a Jig at Home
Use your favorite music listening device to find traditional Irish music. Do your best River Dance impression and enjoy moving to the music or look up an Irish dance instruction video on YouTube and learn something new.
Watch an Irish Movie
So maybe we can’t go to Ireland or even to a parade, but we can travel there in our minds by watching an Irish movie. Some family-friendly choices include The Secret of Roan Inish, The Magic Legend of the Leprechauns, and The Legend of Longwood. Or try The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Angela’s Ashes, Tristan and Isolde, or The Young Offenders for adults.