By Mary Ellen Psaltis
May the roof above you never fall in, and those gathered beneath it never fall out.
–Irish Toast
My first acquaintance with a leprechaun was with Lucky, the spritely character on the box of Lucky Charms. He’s still around and looks just the same, proving that leprechauns are, in fact, magical creatures.
My second foray into meeting leprechauns was when my son was in grade school. Every year he meticulously designed and built a catcher in hopes of nabbing one of these elusive beings. The reward for catching a leprechaun is gold from one of their famous pots. I am sorry to say that Kosta never did manage to capture one – although the traps were always tripped.
Your chances for spotting a leprechaun will improve if you stop by O’Blarney’s Irish Pub during their festive four-day celebration happening through the St. Patrick’s Day Weekend. Acoustic music (think 5-piece folk band), Olympic Highlanders, dancers and bagpipes are already on the program. DJ Shamrock – I mean, Slimrock will be on hand Saturday evening.
Mike Heelan, managing partner, is gearing up for what will be the busy days at O’Blarney’s. The menu will reflect the holiday spirit featuring corned beef and cabbage (that is usually on the menu but this presentation will be special); corned beef sandwiches, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, traditional lamb stew and all the pub fare you already love such as their nearly famous hand dipped fresh arctic cod in better batter with chips (that means french fries.) Don’t forget the burgers. Did you know you could start your morning (7am) with Bangers and Mash or a Dublin Scramble? The beer at that hour would be up to you.
I wondered if Heelan was Irish. “I am Irish,” he gleefully confirmed. His paternal grandfather William entered the United States through Ellis Island and his mother’s side has Irish as well. Heelan has been part of the family business all his adult life. He was there back in the late 80’s when a pint of beer was 90 cents. As one of four bartenders on that busy St. Patrick’s Day, Heelan was “pouring beer as fast as beer will pour.” With big crowds and generous hearts, the 10-cent change was often left as a tip. That night Heelan collected over $60.00 in dimes. You do the math. That’s a lot of pints!
Guinness and other beers are customary St. Patrick’s Day libations, but everyone isn’t a beer drinker. My friend Jo comes from Irish stock, but doesn’t touch the stuff. Her grandfather’s family came from Buttevant, home of the first steeplechase. I wondered what St. Patrick’s Day meant to her. She sighed as she recalled one of her visits to Ireland, “an amazing patchwork of green.” Yes, she kissed the Blarney Stone and properly walked down and up backwards (eyes closed) the Wishing Steps. Yes, her wish that day came true!
She loved it all, but truly knew she was Irish when she attended a military concert in Belfast and felt fortunate to get a seat, even though it was way at the top. As luck would have it, the man seated next to her was Max, an inebriated pharmacist. They had a lively chat and were both unimpressed by a group of bagpipers – interesting, but uninspired. But then a lone Irish bagpiper came on stage and filled the auditorium with haunting, lyrical notes that pierced Jo’s heart. She was overwhelmed as filled as never before. Tears came to her eyes. Max, also moved by the music, and Irish to the core, noticed her emotions, leaned over and said, “Now ye know who ye are.”
I asked her if her family prepared any special Irish dishes for St. Patrick’s Day. She revealed to me that they ate Lucky Charms. I knew they were magical!
St. Patrick’s Day festivities are up to you.
- Drink Guinness and play a trivia quiz at O’Blarney’s (Thursday).
- Visit a tavern or brew pub in your neighborhood.
- Put green dye in your scrambled eggs.
- Build a leprechaun catcher with your kids.
- Cook a comfort-filled dish like Shepherd’s Pie at home.
Eat Well – Be Well
Notes about Shepherd’s Pie:
The Irish have certainly eaten their share of potatoes. Pull out a few spuds from your storage bin and whip up a hearty stew that packs in the vegetables and well as the comfort. Use a large skillet to sauté onions and garlic in oil. Add chopped carrots, a bag of peas, a can of corn and any other vegetable you might have tucked in the refrigerator. A spot of dark ale could help deglaze the pan, if you so desire.
Many will want to begin with recipe with meat – ground round, lamb or chicken, but it is not required. When your mixture is well seasoned with the likes of rosemary, thyme pepper, etc. and happily bubbling and thickened, it time to put it into a pie dish and top with creamy mashed potatoes. This whole casserole is popped into the oven until perfectly browned. Then pull it out – top with grated cheese and give it ten more minutes. Let is rest a few minutes before serving. Admire it and then dig in.
Lots of options to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Thurston County:
- Pints Barn in Tumwater – Turn to the Pints Barn’s Facebook page and look for hidden leprechaun stash all around town. Join in the “Irish Shenanigans” March 15 – 17.
- McMenamins Spar Café – Listen to a bagpiper on Sunday.
- 4th Ave. Tavern – Serving corned beef and cabbage for dinner
- Fish Tale Brew Pub
- Eastside Club Tavern
- Characters Corner (6620 Sexton Dr NW, at Steamboat Island Road exit off Hwy 101)
- Participate in the Tenino St. Patrick’s Day March. Beginning at 1:00 pm, the town bagpiper will lead marchers around Tenino. People are encouraged to wear costumes and bring a donation of canned food for the Tenino Food Bank. More information can be found here.
