Going Green

Eleven new ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Photo: Susan Ogan

kay, it’s time to start getting in the mood for that most Bostonian of holidays, St. Patrick’s Day. What, did you think it began in Ireland? Nope. The world’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in Boston on March 17, 1737, by members of the Charitable Irish Society. And, yes, they had been drinking in a tavern when they spontaneously decided to go marching through the streets. Isn’t history great? Then, almost 40 years later, General George Washington was thoughtful enough to chase the occupying British out of Boston on March 4, 1776, in one of the most important—and widely forgotten—victories of the Revolutionary War. Forgotten except by your hard-working public employees, who fudged the date a little (close enough) and managed to get Evacuation Day declared a holiday just in time to go drinking in a local tavern. Isn’t history convenient? Here’s how you can celebrate our collective Boston heritage—even if you don’t get the day off. Because all of us are Irish on Evacuation Day.

 
The center of local Irish culture. Hint: It’s not in Boston.
 

 
An Irish enclave in an unlikely neighborhood—with a real Irish breakfast for the morning after
 

 
An authentic Irish pub—where?
 

 
An Irish pub so authentic it’s a hangout for the rugby set
 

 
A genuine Irish pub—in the suburbs?
 

 
An ethereal Irish bar that will carry you away
 

 
A pub with a weekly session that never gets old
 

 
A cozy Irish pub with more than just a good pint to offer
 

 
A secret place to get a sweet taste of Ireland
 

 
A wee bit of Ireland in the back of a convenience store
 

 
A humble Irish bar with great food and beer deals