It all started when St. Patrick was captured by Irish raiders and sold into slavery… thus the inauspicious beginning of a young man’s transformation into a saint and the beginning of St. Patrick’s Day.

If you are religious and planned to go to church and not the nearest pub, don’t seek out a mass in honor of the saint on March 17th. St. Patrick’s Day will not be celebrated on March 17, 2008 this year.

“For the first time since 1940, St. Patrick’s Day will fall during Holy Week, the sacred seven days preceding Easter.

Because of the overlap, liturgical rules dictate that no Mass in honor of the saint can be celebrated on Monday, March 17, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.” says Meghan Barr, Associated Press.

Don’t worry, the descendants of the San Francisco Irish and the bar owners won’t let a little thing like a decree from the pope dissuade them from celebrating this mysterious saint’s day all weekend long.

San Francisco has been suffused with a Irish heritage of hundreds of years, the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center states, “the first contingent came in the late seventh or early eighteenth century … by 1870, one in every third person in San Francisco was Irish.” This rich cultural heritage has taken hold of the city, a decent Irish pub or two can be found in nearly every neighborhood (don’t ask me how I know) and the city boasts the oldest parade west of the Mississippi.

The 156th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on Saturday, March 15, 2008 starting at 11:30 a.m. It features all things Irish. Bagpipers, a marching band and a myriad of Irish dance schools will be performing for onlookers. For dog lovers, the highlight will be the four footed parade marchers from the Irish Wolfhound Rescue Trust group. After the parade, you can prolong the celebration at the Civic Center with face painting for kids, top Irish performers on the stage with foot stomping music and a bit of brew served alongside.

AOL’s's CityGuide for San Francisco has a nice round-up for St. Patrick’s Day including a list of the top ten Irish bars. The list is “spot on.” I speak from experience, I have been in all of them. The Irish Bank Bar description is apt. On St. Patrick’s Day it is the central location for a big block party. Plan on standing in long lines for beer with a bunch of financial district types. For more authenticity, go to the Richmond district to the Plough & Stars or the Abbey Tavern. I have heard tales that some of the bars in the neighborhood even support the IRA. I like this area of the city best because you can walk from place to place, many of the city’s Irish still live here, and there are many other watering holes along the way, if the Irish themed places are too crowded.

Turn Fog City into the Emerald City this year. Have a pint, dance a jig and celebrate this almost international holiday anytime this weekend.

Related Sources:
History of St. Patrick’s Day–
GoSanfrancisco–more information about St. Patrick’s day
Sam’s Spade San Francisco-all the information you need on the parade

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, so it’s time to take a look at some fun things to do in the Cleveland area. I had about ten activities that look awesome, because let’s face it, Cleveland rocks. But I will narrow it down to three so that you all don’t fall asleep before the green beer even begins to flow.

For the adult Clevelanders, check out the Oberlin Inn’s St. Patrick’s Day Irish Murder Mystery. Located in Oberlin, the Inn offers a package that includes overnight accommodations, dining on an Irish Feast, and a fun-filled Jovialities Murder Mystery evening.

The Irish Murder Mystery will take place on Saturday, March 15 and begins at 5:00 PM. A cash bar will be available and St. Patty’s Day attire is recommended.

As far as the kiddies go, encourage their creative side with exposure to some Celtic art! Visit the Cleveland Children’s Museum for Great Artists: Shamrocks. The days are Wednesday, March 12; Friday, March 14; and Monday, March 17; all three events begin at 3:30 PM.

The Great Artists series explores works of Celtic art and encourages kids create their own masterpieces based on the examples of and techniques used by the featured artists. Geared toward kids ages 1 through 8, this looks to be both educational and fun.

For a St. Patrick’s Day event for the entire family, attend the annual Cleveland Irish Parade on Monday, March 17 at 1:04 PM. The parade will begin at the intersection of Superior Ave. and East 18th St., then will travel southwest on Superior Ave. to East Roadway. The parade will head northwest on East Roadway for one block; and then it will head northeast on Rockwell Ave. It ends at the intersection of Rockwell Ave. and East 6th St. This is a different route from years past, so be sure to check out a map of the new route.

Regardless of what you do to celebrate the history of the Irish, do it responsibly and with respect. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and may the luck o’ the Irish be with ye throughout the year!

So what exactly do us Texans do to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Where do we go? If you’re a party animal and looking for an all-night celebration then I would suggest Dallas or Austin as my second and third picks. It would take me days to list all of the activities these two fine cities offer but I’ll offer you a small sampling. My top pick? Read on . . .

For Austin, think all day street festivals and hang at places such as the Fado Irish Pub on Fourth Street or B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub on 6^th Street. If Dallas is more your speed then plan on partying at Trinity Hall Irish Pub on Mockingbird Lane or the Greenville Avenue Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and after-party which drew more than 75,000 people last year.

But my top pick for the best St. Patrick’s Day fun would have to be the Panhandle town of Shamrock, Texas. I mean honestly, the name alone should tell you how much fun this is going to be! This year will the 62^nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and will boast everything from parades to a motorcycle rally to lawnmower races to a Donegal Beard Contest . . . need I go on? You won’t find a better place in Texas to “celebrate the green”!

What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day? It’s fast approaching . . .

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas
For some other great thoughts on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Texas see these blogs:

1. Top 10 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Across the Lone Star State by Danno Wise
2. St. Patrick’s Day Planner by the CitySearch Staff in Austin
3. Houston St. Patrick’s Day Guide from the Houston Press