St. Paddy's Day (March 17th)

Make St Patrick's an Official Holiday

   Every year on March 17th, men and women around the world raise a toast or two in honour of St. Patrick, Ireland's greatest saint. While St. Patrick's Day is undoubtedly the most popular Irish tradition to survive in the modern world, what do we really know about the man and his legend? If you are interested, visit the Saint Patrick page.
   One of the most recognizable events on St. Patrick's Day's are the parades. The first such parade in America was on March 17, 1737 in Boston, sponsored by the Charitable Irish Society of Boston to raise funds for ill, homeless, and unemployed Irishmen. Presently, the largest North American parade takes place on New York City's Fifth Avenue, with an annual participation of over two hundred thousand people. Revolutionary War veterans originally began the Fifth Avenue parade in 1762 as a proud display of Irish heritage, and as an act of defiance against those who "didn't like the Irish very much".

   The Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade and St. Patrick's Family Festival is held each year in downtown Atlanta. The 2008 Parade is Atlanta's 127th since 1858. This is the 150th Anniversary of the first Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta's St. Patrick's Parade.
   The Parade is staged by Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade Inc. and is an outgrowth of the 150 year old Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta's St. Patrick's Parade. The "Parade Committee" is made up of members of Atlanta's Irish Societies. The Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Foundation augments the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade by raising awareness and giving financial support for the treatment and research of childhood diseases. This year's recipients include Cystic Fibrosis and St. Baldrick's.

"Chosen leaf
              Of Bard and Chief,
            Old Erin's native Shamrock!
              Says Valour, 'See
              They spring for me,
            Those leafy gems of morning!'
              Says Love, 'No, no,
              For me they grow,
            My fragrant path adorning!'
              But Wit perceives
              The triple leaves,
            And cries,--'O do not sever
              A type that blends
              Three godlike friends,
            Love, Valour, Wit, for ever!
O! the Shamrock, the green, immortal Shamrock!"
                                             Moore

In the early 1900s, Nathaniel Colgan asked around Ireland concerning the shamrock and found that depending upon who you asked, it could be the Trifolium repens (white clover), Folium minus (lesser trefoil), Trifolium pratense (purple clover), or the Medicagio Lupulina (Black Medick). So take your pick! Whichever you choose, pin a piece to your St Paddy's outfit and at the end of the day, place it into the last glass of drink, then toast to the health of all and pick the wet drowned shamrock out of the glass and toss it over your left shoulder.

St. Patrick’s Day Mass 2008

The annual Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 14th at 10:30am at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Archbishop Wilton Daniel Gregory, Principal Celebrant, will be assisted by Clergy of the Archdiocese. Refreshments and entertainment will follow at the Parish Centre. This is a special day for all of us and our loved ones. Donations will be gratefully accepted, in memory of family members who have passed on, or in honour of family and friends who are sick and suffering, and need our prayers. All will be included in the Mass Program (see deadline below). Donations in any amount would be greatly appreciated to help defray the expenses.

Please write the names of those to be included clearly and mail to:
Make cheques payable to HBSA and mail to:
ROSE BEGLEY
2540 Alsace Way
Cumming, GA 30041
DEADLINE for having names listed in the program will be March 9th
Rose A Begley
2540 Alsace Way
Cumming, GA. 30041-6489
678.807.7443
770.826.2461 Cell
rosebegley@comcast.net

Annual St. Patrick's Day Black Tie Ball
Friday, March 14, 2008

6:30pm - 7:30pm ~ Cocktails & Hors d’eouvres
7:30pm - 8:30pm ~ Dinner
8:30pm - 12am ~ Dancing and Entertainment
$95 per person or $950 for a Table of Ten

Druid Hills Country Club
740 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-377-1766

Details at www.irishatlanta.com

Make checks payable to
Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta
Mail to:
HBSA
P.O. Box 2855
Cumming, GA 30028
Attn: 2008 Black Tie Ball
For more info, HBSA Black Tie Ball Invite (pdf)

2008 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade

Where: The Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 12:00 noon, starting at Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill, proceeding down Peachtree past Woodruff Park, then left on Decatur to Pryor and right on Pryor through Underground Atlanta and the huge Underground Atlanta Festival where there will be free entertainment and vendors! The parade disbands on MLK. See Route Map Attached - Click Here

(Parade was cancelled due to the strong thunderstorms and tornados in the region)

Thursday - March 13, 2008
11:30 am - Fr. O'Reilly Memorial Mass & Wreath Laying
Irish Night - Thrashers Hockey @ Philips Arena

Friday - March 14, 2008
7:30 am - Irish Chamber of Commerce USA Breakfast - World Trade Center
10:30 am - St. Patrick's Mass - Cathedral of Christ the King
Family Festival at Underground Atlanta
6:30 pm - Hibernian Ball (HBSA)

Saturday March 15, 2008
Undeground Atlanta Events 9:00 am - Underground Atlanta Irish Breakfast/Parade Parking
10:00 am - Underground Atlanta Opening Performance
12:00 noon - 127th Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade - Peachtree Street
2:00 pm - Family Festival at Underground Atlanta

Sunday March 16, 2008
8:00 am ShamRock 'N Roll Road Race ... Atlantic Station Junior League of Atlanta
Underground Atlanta Festival & Entertainment Zoo Atlanta Events

Monday March 17, 2008
Underground Atlanta Festival & Entertainment Zoo Atlanta Events

Rialto Center Event
On the Web: http://www.stpatsatlanta.com

Atlanta Events

Prevent Child Abuse Benefit, Jasper. Friday, March 14, 2008, 6:30-10pm. Tickets $50 and include dinner. More info in attached flyer (pdf)

Logan from Emerald Rose will be performing a few solo shows here, including Irish & Scottish traditional numbers during St Paddy's at Underground Atlanta. Catch him at the Food Court stage Mar 14, 16, & 17, 11:30AM

Emerald Rose will be performing during St Paddy's at Underground Atlanta. Catch them in Kenny's Alley Saturday Mar 15, noon.

Come celebrate St. Patty's Day with Eddie's Attic & The Buddy O'Reilly Band, Friday, March 14th. Early Show 7pm. / Doors: 6pm. Individual advanced tickets: $10 / At the door: $12 / Tables: $50 (ALL AGES). Late Show 9:30pm. / Doors: 9pm. Individual advanced tickets: $10 / At the door: $12 / Tables: $50 (21+ ONLY). The Buddies are Atlanta's own Irish music super-group, captivating audiences for over 21 years, with their spirited/intoxicating shows. While they have focused on traditional Irish music, they have developed a sound that reflects a combination of styles, from blues to bluegrass and rock-n-roll to world music.

Please join The Atlanta Irish Music School, home of the Atlanta Junior Ceili Band, Saturday March 15th 7PM at the St. Andrew's Catholic Church Knight of Columbus St. Patrick's Day Party, Roswell

Harp Irish Pub, Roswell presents a St Paddy's Weekend. Come see Marty & Paddy, Irish dancers, & Strange Brewed, Sat Apr 15, 3PM onward. Emerald Rose plays from 9-Midnite. On Sunday, it is St. Baldricks Foundation Head Shaving!! from 2PM with lots of kid's activities and Irish dancers at 5PM. On the day itself, Mon 17th, come hear McGinnis Ferry 2:30-5:30PM and Marty & Paddy + Burny Agee Piper from 4PM til.

The Bordercollies and Shanveen are performing at the Harp Duluth, Sat Mar 15, 3-6M.Eileen Mulligan performs at 7PM followed by Emerald Rose and Cregan O'Brien Irish dancers at 9PM. On Sun, Mar 16, Danny Ray Cole performs from 5-8PM. On the day itself, see Paddy & Marty from 3-6PM followed by Irish dancers. Music in the Glen will be playing Irish trad at the Harp Duluth on the day itself, March 17, starting at 8PM

ShamRock 'N Roll Road Race – Atlantic Station, Atlanta. March 16, 2008 (Sun). Catch Pog performing 7AM. Register today at www.shamrocknroll.org. Details and pre-event info in attached flyer (pdf)

The Loafing Leprechaun Duluth St Paddy's Weekend. Saturday, March 15th St Paddy's Day Party. 8 - 11am: Bangers n' Beer with the Dave FM Morning Show, followed by a live broadcast with Sully! Breakfast will be available and traditional Irish music will be provided. FREE until 11am. 11am - 2pm: Kevin Lewis Band will be playing live and the Guinness Gig Rig will be serving an endless supply of Guinness, Smithwicks and Harp. Plenty of great Irish food will also be available. 3-4:30pm: DRIVIN’ N’ CRYIN’ live on stage!. 11am - 4pm, admission is $20. After 4pm, admission is $10 with DJ. Age 21 and over all day. No discounts or coupons accepted. Limited restaurant menu. On Mon Mar 17th, there will be a St. Baldrick's Fundraiser, 2-6PM. Click for more info

the Loafing Leprechaun Alpharetta St Paddy's Weekend. Saturday, March 15th (open at 11am. No discounts or coupons accepted. Full menu available all day.) 12-3pm: Mickle-A-Do, 4-7pm: Ben Wade Band (Rock Music), 7-8pm: Cregan O'Brien Irish Dancers, 7:30pm - 9:30pm: Guinness Girls, 9pm - 2am: Outdoor dance party with DJ Kelvin. Sunday, March 16th (open at 11am for Family Day!) 4-6pm: Cregan O'Brien Irish Dancers. Monday, March 17th (open at 11am) 2-6pm: St. Baldrick's Fundraiser Click for more info. 5-8pm: Pog will be performing. Come on out, enjoy the craic, buy their new CD. 6-8pm: Feckin Irish Whisky shooter Girls ($4 shots and giveaways). 8:30- 10:30pm: Bushmill shooter girls($5 shots and giveaways)

Meehan's Sandy Springs St Paddy's Weekend. Friday, March 14. Bagpipers at happy hour, Guinness and Jameson girls, and Irish music by Galen Crayder at 9pm. Saturday, March 15. Live remote with 100.5's Axle from 5-7pm, and Live Rock Band Karaoke Sing along with English Nick's band, 4:30-8M! Prizes for the best U2 performance! Larry Washington and Chain Letter 9pm till midnight. Face painting, moonwalk for the kids, and bagpipers! St. Baldrick's Foundation will be here to shave heads in the name of childhood cancer. Enter as a participant (www.stbaldricks.org), donate, or just watch the transformations! We'll be shaving, cutting, and dying hair 1-4pm!! Sunday, March 16. Enjoy the best Irish Bloody Marys and mimosas in town! We'll be serving the traditional Irish Roast by Chef Linda Harrell. Watch movies like the Quiet Man, the Commitments, and Far and Away. Live Music with Dave Craver, founder of Open Mic Atlanta, from 2-5pm. Monday, March 17. Open at 10am with an Irish Breakfast and all the Guinness we can pour! Beer and car bomb specials will get you through as you listen to Mickle-A-Do and our very own Van Morrison cover band from 7-10pm!

Monday, Mar 17. Come join us for Meehan's Vinings biggest party of the year on St. Patrick's Day! We will have the best Irish food, drink, and dancers the ciy has to offer!

Monday, Mar 17, Smyrna Market Village St. Patrick's Day Festival, 4pm - ???. Keltic Kudzu plays 5-7pm. Tickets on Sale Now; $5 by March 10th, $10 after March 10th, $15 Gate. Tickets: www.xorbia.com/tickets/smyrnastpattys

St. Patrick's Day Festival at Smyrna Market Village, March 17. Festivities begin at 1pm with the greening of the fountain. Keltic Kudzu will be playing from 4-6pm in the music tent. Note that tickets are only $5 if you hurry and get them before March 10, then the price goes up … so if you happen to have some Scottish blood in you, you’ll be wanting to get the best deal now! Tickets: wwww.xorbia.com/tickets/smyrnastpattys/. $5 before March 10, then $10 after or $15 Gate

Celebrate with M'vorneen's Irish Pub this St. Patrick’s Day, Monday Mar 17, beginning at 11AM til close. Wear your Irish and listen to Turnstile (formerly The Charms) who will be the featured entertainment --Afternoon & Night. It’s Green Beer, Guinness, and Turnstile, what more could we want?

Emerald Rose will be performing on St Paddy's, Mar 17 at Tabby's Irish Pub, Buford, 8PM

Have you had enough of it with green beer being spilled on your clothes and on your lovely shoes?? Come out to Murphy's Restaurant, 997 Virginia Avenue, Mar 17. Kathleen Donohoe, joined by Mike Simpson, Atlanta's finest fiddler, flutist, whistler and guitarist; and Debra Peterson on harp, flute and whistles, and dancers from the King O'Sullivan school will entertain from 6-10pm. Murphy's has been one of Atlanta's favorite and best restaurants for 25 years. They will serve fresh gourmet Irish fare and more, and they have a full bar. Reservations are advisable at 404-872-0904.

Savannah Events

March 14, 2008 (Fri) Savannah St. Patty's Celebration on River Street. Catch Pog performing at 4PM right after the Parade on River Street & at Molly MacPherson's Scottish Pub & Grill at 9PM and play to the wee hours!

March 15, 2008 (Sat) Savannah St. Patty's Celebration on River Street. Catch Pog performing at 2PM

Moira Nelligan will be performing at the Sentient Bean on Mar. 15th at 8PM.

Athens Events

Athens Celtic band Short Road Home will be playing a St. Paddy's Day celebration at The Melting Point on Saturday, March 15th. The Melting Point's new chef is planning some special Irish dishes just for the occasion. For Atlantans who would like a St. Paddy's weekend getaway, The Melting Point is located at the Foundry Park Inn, a lovely hotel located in Athens' beautiful and musically lively downtown.

Chattanooga Events

Come up to Rock City Gardens, Chattanooga for the Shamrock City Festival, March 15 &16. Visit seerockcity.com for details

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! (BAN-uhkh-tee nuh FAY-luh PAW-rihg O-rihv) = Happy St. Patrick's Day to You All!

Irish Expert Trivia

Be sure to visit the Official sites for updates, sponsors, info, special packages & more

The Wearing of the Green: A History of St. Patrick's Day
by Mike Cronin, Daryl Adair

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

As the day approaches and you don't see your event or just wondering, check with your favorite pub, they are bound to have something brewing green