Through the Drinking Glass or Erin Go Braless

By Written by Charles Duffy III on March 13th, 2010

The time has come, to speak of many things, of beads and floats and Leprechauns, of cabbages and kings. Well some people blog about events after they happened. What good is that? You’ll have to wait a whole year to attend in many cases. So being a goof Irishman here I am giving you the heads up on New Orleans third largest celebration: St. Patrick’s Day!

Most people do not realize New Orleans is the second largest point of Irish immigration in the United States! We have a whole section of town known as The Irish Channel. St. Patrick’s church still gives the Latin mass. And there are a variety of Irish pubs all throughout the city.

Each year the festivities begin two weekends before the actual day itself with what else, a parade! But this is just a warm up, a “practice parade.” So they claim. At these parades your typical throw deviates quite from the norm in it’s form and the fact that they are often not thrown. In the Downtown marching parades expect men in suits to hand out cloth roses, garters, and kisses: real and stick-on. Also look for the rolling Irish Pub on wheels! In the Uptown parades with floats expect everything you would from a regular parade, the stuff from the Downtown parade, and cabbages. Yes cabbages and a variety of other vegetables that can be used for a stew. Bring those cabbages to a local pub and redeem them for prizes! Until recently the cabbages were thrown but now they are handed to parade goers (something to do with insurance. Imagine that!).

To get the whole list of parades and events go here:

http://www.nola.com/festivals/index.ssf/2010/02/metro_new_orleans_area_saint_p.html

Three great places you will want to be on these glorious days: The Kerry Irish Pub, Finn McCool’s, and Parasol’s. Theses three reside in the Quarter, Mid-City, and the Irish Channel (Uptown) respectively.

The Kerry (331 Decatur St.) has been voted time and time again the best pour of Guinness in the city. With the true feel of a traditional Irish pub you can come in and rub elbows with visitors and locals alike. They don’t serve food regularly but put out special nosh for special events and what event is more special than this? Every night live music plays and you can bet this weekend it will all be of an Irish theme.

Finn McCool’s (3701 Bank St.) Named for the son of the ancient Celtic warrior Cumhail (coo-el) this is where you bring your cabbages for prizes! This famous pub has it all and I will be reviewing it in depth in another blog. Again this year they had a short story writing contest to win a keg of Guinness. On the day of days they’ll have pipers, free food, and the worlds shortest St. Patrick’s day parade. Check it all out at www.finmccools.com.

Parasol’s(2533 Constance St.) A block away from Magazine St. and the Garden District lies Parasol’s home of the biggest block party in the city! This tiny neighborhood bar will host a party that shuts down streets, diverts traffic and creates a fog of green mayhem that can be seen from space! Even when it’s not a holiday Parasol’s is known for it’s big tasty po’ boy sandwiches. My brother and I ate there for my birthday and I can tell you their catfish po’ boy is amazing! And filling. Stop in and chow on seafood and sandwiches and snacks while slaking your thirst with a Guinness or a myriad of other beers foreign and domestic.