As we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day by looking for our pot of gold, spare a thought for all the leprechauns out there trying hard to disguise the end of the rainbow from would-be treasure hunters.
These pint-sized faerie folk have long been part of Irish fables – but did you know they originally didn’t even wear green? Often portrayed as short, wrinkled, ugly and mean, leprechauns have come to symbolise everything Irish and their humble beginnings are thought to have started with shoemakers, who hid the money they made from their craft in pots.
They were first depicted wearing red square-cut coats, richly laced with gold, a cocked hat and shoes with buckles. Green clothes didn’t evolve until the 20th Century, when the colour became synonymous with all things from the Emerald Isle.
The most interesting feature of a leprechaun is what he will do when caught…in exchange for freedom these little folk will grant three wishes to their captor, so keep on the lookout and see what happens if you catch one.
Let’s check out the best places around the country to drown in Guinness, devour green cupcakes, chase anyone who vaguely resembles a leprechaun and get your Irish groove on come March 17…
Live Irish Celtic Music
Built as a haven for Margaret River’s emerging surf culture in the 1970s, The Settlers Tavern on Bussell Highway is always evolving to ensure all locals and visitors feel right at home. With a panoramic tree-lined view visible in all directions and framed posters of famous shows and surf events lining the original brick walls, this watering hole welcomes everyone for an ice-cold brew and bite to eat.
Stop in on Sunday for a live music session from Crooked Brook Trio – Margaret River’s own Irish Celtic folk band - and celebrate St Patrick’s Day with Guinness on tap, funny hats, shamrocks and perhaps even a leprechaun or two! Stave off hunger with a slow-cooked beef brisket toasted sandwich, or share spicy Korean chicken wings, gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, peanuts and slaw.
Weekend of Irish Celebration
For gastro pub fare bringing the best of traditional British classics to Belgrave, local foodies head to Micawber Tavern on Monbulk Road. Recently renovated and nestled within the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, this is not your average country pub; think a beer garden surrounded by ferns with a creek running through it, a log fire indoors for chilly months and live sport on TV in the bar.
Stop in for a weekend of Irish celebration as this annual event gets better with age – expect fun, food, music, dancing and the very best of everything Irish from dancers to local musicians. Head to Slowey’s Bar and patio for a drink, enjoy a Bottomless Brunch or share a BBQ platter with pulled beef, chicken wings, cornbread and much more.
St Paddy’s Bottomless Brunch
Find a luxurious restaurant serving classic European cuisine with a modern twist at The Peacock Room on Woodward Street in Orange. Nestled in the Oriana Orange Hotel, this stylish dining venue has walls adorned with vibrant murals, including peacocks, while softly glowing table lights and blue velvet chairs add a plush touch, ideal for lingering over a cocktail from the retro-chic bar.
Join the action for a St Patrick’s Day Bottomless Brunch on Sunday with unlimited bites and sips. Indulge in a three-course feast, complemented by bottomless drinks amidst lush greenery; expect themed cocktails or mocktails to go with dishes such as wood-fired squid and chorizo, focaccia croutons and aioli.
Guinness Session with Mates
Welcome to a slice of the Emerald Isle in the heart of Melbourne at The Irish Times on Little Collins Street. Exuding a warm, relaxed and friendly vibe, the ambience is genuinely Irish with wrap-around bars, traditional dark wood, fireplaces, stained-glass windows and rugby memorabilia reminiscent of classic homeland pubs.
There’s no better spot for a pint of Guinness on Sunday, settle in for a session with mates over classic plates of pork and leek bangers, creamy mashed potato and rosemary onion gravy; or the signature Galway shepherd’s pie, baked until golden brown and served with garlic bread.
Sweeping Maleny Landscapes
Founded by locals, discover Brouhaha Brewery nestled among the sweeping landscapes of Maleny on the Sunshine Coast. Tucked just off Coral Street, this craft beer institution fills with a cheery crowd seeking an icy brew and catching up with friends in trendy surroundings.
With an interior designed in collaboration with May Tree Studios, Brouhaha offers a series of stylish areas, from an outdoor timber deck elevated above the treetops with high bar tables and a casual drinking area, to a semi-industrial interior filled with low-set tables and steel brewing vats. Stop in on Sunday and devour Korean-style roast pork belly or wrap your hands around a Reuben slider with pastrami, sauerkraut, cheese and thousand island dressing.
