Edhat Staff
Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels
By edhat staff
The annual Irish-American holiday will be celebrated differently this year as most people are self-isolating due to the coronavirus.
While the day is rooted in religious undertones, marking the death of Ireland’s patron Saint Patrick, Irish immigrants brought the festivities to the United States as early as 1737. Festivities have grown in the following years where it’s estimated that 33 million people worldwide raise pints of Guinness and chug Irish car bomb cocktails for Ireland’s sake.
This year will be drastically different due to worldwide restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Locally, bars are closed and restaurants are limiting customers, while experts advise everyone to stay home and limit interactions with other people. That means celebrations will be happening at home and we have a list of ideas to honor the day.
Drink
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Have the tried and true national beer of Ireland, Guinness.
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Take other types of Irish beer, such as Harp, and add a few drops of green food coloring for a green beer.
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There are too many Irish whiskey brands to name but grab a few and have a small tasting. Jameson, Midelton, Redbreast, and Tyrconnell are just a few.
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Enjoy your evening (or morning, we won’t judge) with a little whiskey in your coffee for an Irish Coffee.
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Bailey’s Irish Floats are great for a boozy dessert.
Cook
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Irish Soda Bread comes in many variations that are equally delicious.
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Use the versatility of Guinness with a cozy Guinness Beef Stew or Beef and Guinness Pie.
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The ever traditional corned beef and cabbage.
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Take some extra time to create a brioche bread and butter pud dessert.
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You’ll never go wrong with an Irish apple cake with custard sauce.
Experience
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Listen to authentic Irish tunes
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Watch movies with Irish themes. Here are just a few options: Bloody Sunday, Michael Collins, Angela’s Ashes, Circle of Friends, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, and Brooklyn.
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Hop online and learn about Irish history.
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Try to learn an Irish jig with this YouTube video
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Listen to poetry bu Irish authors such as W.B. Yeats, Seamus Heaney, and Samuel Beckett for free on Spotify.
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For additional reading, we previously published a story about a trip our Publisher made to Dingle, Ireland. Dingle is one of Santa Barbara’s sister cities and all of Santa Barbara’s sister cities have dolphin statues created by our very own Bud Bottoms. Read more about Lauren’s trip to Dingle .
Yes but what bars ARE staying open for those who don’t want to stay home? The only one I know so far is O’Malleys at 523 State Street – last night on KEYT they said they would be open for St. Paddy’s today because they bought a “special spray” from “Enviro-Master Services” which will keep us from catching the virus there. Nothing like the crowd in an Irish bar on St. Patrick’s Day. I sure hope the special spray works because after an hour there I won’t be worrying about anything anymore!
Have other bars bought the same special spray? Who’s open? Erin go bragh!
The statement that “locally bars are closed“ is not correct. Wow Edhat, reporting false information to trick people into staying home. Guess what? People who will be patronizing bars tonight don’t read edhat.
Feile Naomh Padraig, Edhatters! For remembrance of St. Patrick, please applaud (and thumbs up) Nurses, Doctors, Hospital Cleaning Staffs, EMS, Firefighters, Sheriff’s Deputies, Police, and all people who will be on the front lines over the next few months, fighting the coronavirus battle. If you have extra N95 masks unused, please drop them off for emergency personnel.
This is incorrect. We have not heard of a bar staying open today. John Palminteri reports the same, check it out here: https://keyt.com/lifestyle/money-and-business/2020/03/17/bar-closures-grow-as-owners-give-up-on-st-patricks-day-plans/