Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day
By Jackie Friedlander
O'Ryan, O'Nguyen, O'Abdul, O'Petronski, O'Lopez, O'Wong ... everyone will be Irish on Monday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day. That means we'll all be jonesing for corned beef and cabbage and The Clancy Brothers folk songs, not to mention "a drop of the creature," preferably in the form of Guinness Stout.
Here are some Irish pubs and eateries where we can all enjoy the traditional Celtic culture and cuisine. In addition to the ever-popular CB&C, menus will include fish and chips, shepherd's pie and lamb stew. Since this is proverbially their busiest day of the year, reservations are a must at ...
Auld Shebeen, Fairfax
The seatings will start at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for lunch ($21.95), and 4 and 7 p.m. for dinner ($37.95). Live entertainment will begin at noon downstairs. Upstairs, the Flying Cows of Ventry will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4 to 7 p.m and 8:30 on. In addition, the Fairfax Deputy Sheriff Coalition Pipes and Drums will play throughout the day, and The Aoibhneas and Rince Irish Dancers will perform on both levels starting at 4 p.m.
Ireland's Four Provinces, Falls Church
Lunch is served at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. ($26.95), with dinner at 5, 7 and 9 p.m ($37.95). Alternatively, the bar provides "pub grub," with corned beef sandwiches at $8 and lamb or beef stew for $10. Irish singer and guitarist Brook Yoder will perform traditional Irish favorites throughout the day.
Ned Devine's, Herndon
After the 10 a.m. opening, Irish dancing and music will continue all day. At 10 p.m., the performers will be the 2U Band (a cover band for U2). Lunch will start at 10 a.m. and continue until dinner begins at 5 p.m, featuring traditional Irish entrées at $12 each.
Ned Devine's, Centreville
Doors open at 10 a.m., with lunch served until 3 p.m. Irish dancers will perform in the afternoon, followed by the 2U Band at 5 p.m., then a DJ playing Irish favorites after that.
Old Brogue, Great Falls
The entertainment begins when the traditional holiday tent opens at 9 a.m. The pub opens an hour later, where Ted Garber will be performing all day. The Tin Treach Ceol band is flying in from Ireland to play in the Snuggery, with concerts at 11:45 a.m. and 2:15, 4:45 and 7 p.m. At $35 per person, the tickets include a traditional Irish meal. Overflow crowds are expected.
"Pub grub" will be on tap in the tent and at the bar, including corned beef sandwiches and fish and chips. "That is our normal fare," owner Mike Kearney explains, "because every day is an Irish celebration at the Old Brogue."