By Leigh O’Connor.
When you think of St Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 17, it’s all about green beer, cupcakes and outrageous celebrations at Irish and British pubs all around the country.
Do you really know who St Patrick is apart from an excuse to have the party of your life?
Considered the Patron Saint of Ireland, St Patrick was actually born in Banna Venta Berniae – a town in Roman Britain – that’s right not only was he not Irish, his name wasn’t Patrick either.
Originally named Maewyn Succat, he didn’t like that moniker and chose to be known as Patricius down the line.
Folklore also tells of Patrick banishing all snakes from Ireland but as badass as that sounds, there were never actually any snakes on the island to begin with!
Whether you are Irish or not (I’m an O’Connor, so that’s a given) – Friday is a time to keep calm, stay lucky and have a shamrockin’ good time. Here are four of our picks to get your Irish on:
For a St Patrick’s Day not to forget, head to Micawber Tavern on Monbulk Road in Belgrave. Expect the best Irish dancing, songs, music and food all day, including a pop-up Guinness Bar and Irish Kitchen in the beer garden; along with a full Irish fry up of sausages, black and white pudding, bacon, beans, eggs, tomato, mushrooms, boxty and grilled sourdough.
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.
March is the favourite time month of the year at The Irish Times Pub on Little Collins Street in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Celebrate St Paddy’s Day in style with a big Irish breaky, followed by bagpipers and live Irish music all day, Guinness, green giveaways and all the green beer you can drink.
Chow down on a signature beef and Guinness pie, served with garlic bread, or devour pork and leek bangers, creamy mash potato and rosemary onion gravy; burger lovers can opt for the legendary Irish Time Guinness tower, with relish, pickled cucumber, bacon, BBQ sauce and cheese on a brioche bun.
With live music, green giveaways and of course, ice-cold Guinness, head to Wayside Inn on City Road in South Melbourne to party the way only the Irish do. It ain’t over until it’s clover on Friday, so shamrock and roll with dishes like a traditional Galway shepherd’s pie, in rich red wine gravy, topped with creamy mash and mozzarella.
Nestled between Southbank and South Melbourne, the Wayside offers a relaxed, informal bar to enjoy a counter lunch and icy ale, dine in the spacious restaurant area, or take to the leafy courtyard ideal for lapping up the afternoon sun.
Come Friday. sit back, relax and take in all the stunning Glasshouse Mountains have to offer at Patrick’s Irish Bar & Restaurant on Mountainview Road in Maleny. Situated within Tranquil Maleny, expect breathtaking vistas from inside and out while sipping a pint of Guinness or one of the other favourite Irish brews on tap and perusing an extensive menu catering to all tastes from early until late.
Don’t go past the braised beef and Guinness hot pot with root vegetables and topped with a puff pastry ‘flat cap’, washed down with a glass of Stonegate Cabernet Sauvignon; finishing with warm chocolate fondant and an inevitable Irish coffee, topped with whipped floating cream.
Remember, if you overindulge on St Patrick’s Day say the leprechauns made you do it!
