There are an estimated 170,000 Irish expats living in London and many more with Irish heritage (and even more who claim it, however tenuously). Spend an afternoon at the Auld Shelilleh or Skehan’s and all becomes clear.
This year’s St Patrick’s Day will be a good day as it always is. And we can talk about Guinness, Murphy’s, Beamish, and Jameson, attempt to be poetic about the Emerald Isle, discuss with earnestness the nature of Dublin coddle, but you know what’s what already. Here are some events happening on or around March 17 in celebration.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
Now in its 24th year, the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade is a huge event, attracting more than 50,000 people. This year, London’s official party is being held on Sunday March 15 and will again feature pageantry, floats and Irish music. It’ll start at 11am at Hyde Park Corner before meandering down Whitehall to a triumphant finish in Trafalgar Square. You’ll find plenty of dance, song, and cultural displays alongside a host of food and drink. Irish hospitality is famous for a reason.
The Irish country music legend Declan Nerney will perform at the London Irish Centre on March 15, performing a wealth of Celtic songs from his back catalogue, one that stretches back four decades. Songs such as Stop the World (and Let Me Off), Three Way Love Affair, and Anna from Fermanagh are on the bill.
This Bethnal Green bolthole boasts the largest selection of Irish whiskey in London, and claims to have the world’s biggest collection of poitín. Whether or not that’s true, the party on March 17 is sure to be a monumental one, with a line-up of £9 whiskey cocktails, oysters on the house and a DJ set from Drew McConnell of the Babyshambles.
There’s to be a masterclass in Irish music on March 15, with Hammersmith’s Irish Culture Centre hosting accordion master Andy Martyn, fiddle, banjo and flute man John Carty, and Kerry’s multi-instrumentalist Matt Griffin. With over a century of performing between them, here’s an opportunity to experience and enjoy true trad music from Ireland. Raise a glass and listen in.
It’s an unlikely coming together, Brigadiers and Sweetings, at least in a culinary sense. The two sit opposite one another — an upmarket, modern Indian restaurant and a historic fish restaurant dating back to 1830 (in its current site in the City since 1899). This year, for a St Patrick’s Day shindig, the two will be serving Goan-style spicy oysters from 10am, with classic black velvet cocktails and Irish coffees.
Cut A Shine, the Hackney-based ceilidh band, will be hosting a dance in the Round Chapel on Glenarm Road on March 14. Expect a night of joyful dancing, music, stout and whiskey, and a traditional Irish stew to keep energy levels high. All are welcome, even the more nervous and shy. It’ll be a welcoming space.
Gibney’s
The godfather of modern Irish hospitality in London is celebrating St Patrick’s Day with a week of special menus across his restaurants, including a Guinness, wild garlic and Irish cheddar sausage in collaboration with Brixton salt beef specialist Ruben’s Reubens, his take on a spice bag, and, at Corrigan’s Mayfair, an old-style boiled ham trolley. Proper Irish ham will be carved tableside and paired with mashed potatoes, cabbage and parsley sauce.
Big Penny Social in Walthamstow is one of London’s best places for a big party, with an excellent selection of beers, a big space and a solid energy. This year, on March 14, festivities will include music from Solas Trio and Irish dancing from the Maguire O’Shea Dance Academy. Guinness will come thick and fast alongside Tatyo crisps and a traditional Dublin coddle (a stew of boiled sausages, potatoes and veg).
This walking tour takes in numerous notable venues, sights and stories, revealing the historic and varied contributions Irish people have made to London culture. It’s a less boozy way to learn more about Ireland’s impact on the capital, from literature to theatre, music to hospitality. But yes, the tour ends at the pub. In Soho.
Guinness’ new development in Covent Garden is hosting a week of St Patrick’s Day events to go with the regular food and drink offerings, which include pies from Calum Franklin and plenty of stout and craft beers. Expect plenty of music, dance and craic.