St. Patrick’s Day, observed every March 17, began as a religious holiday to commemorate the death of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in the country. Over time, the holiday evolved into a celebration of Irish heritage and culture, generally through parades, festivals, alcohol consumption and lots of green attire.
Memphis offers students a variety of ways to get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit and enjoy the holiday.
1. Attend the Cooper -Young St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Midtown parade, hosted by the Memphis Irish Society, will feature decorative floats, live music, Irish culture groups and demonstrations by the Memphis Gaelic Athletic Association (MGAA), a club that promotes traditional Irish sports in the Memphis community.
Jesse Gammons, MGAA founder, said the group would walk in the parade and demonstrate Irish sports.
“We play sports called hurling, camogie and Gaelic football,” Gammons said. “We’re always open for new people to come give it a try.”
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Memphis Made Tap Room on Cooper Street.
2. Eat an Irish breakfast while watching rugby
Irish restaurant and pub The Brass Door will host a full day of St. Patrick’s Day activities Saturday beginning at 8 a.m.
Deni Reilly, Brass Door operations assistant, said the pub is the only Irish pub downtown.
“You are going to be able to experience the Irish hospitality,” Reilly said.
A “kegs and eggs” breakfast will be served at 8 a.m, followed by the Ireland vs. England Six Nations Rugby game.
Reilly said menu options will include reuben egg rolls and Irish nachos, along with other traditional Irish dishes, and chef Patrick Riley will prepare his mother’s traditional recipe for Irish lamb stew.
Attendees can also participate in soccer and rugby skills contests to benefit Memphis Inner City Rugby.
Bagpipers and fiddle players will perform, as well as Irish dancers. Music performances will include the Bluff City Backsliders and local acoustic guitarist and singer Drew Erwin. A “Blessing of the Kegs,” a ceremony in which beer kegs and celebrators are blessed in hopes of a safe and fun holiday, will be performed by a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
The event is free until noon, after which there will be a $10 cover charge.
3. Tour one of Memphis’ oldest remaining Irish residences
The Magevney House, a small clapboard cottage built in the 1830s, will offer free admission Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. The house was home to Irish immigrant Eugene Magevney, an entrepreneur who helped establish Memphis’ school system and founded St. Peter’s Catholic Church downtown.
The house, located at 198 Adams Ave., is furnished as it would have been in its original pre-Civil War time and features several personal antiques from the Magevney family.
4. Get crafty at Trolley Stop Market
Local farm-to-table restaurant Trolley Stop Market is hosting a Family Celebration on Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees can decorate cookies and cupcakes and make St. Patrick’s Day-themed crafts, such as magnets and ornaments. “Magic clover” prizes will also be hidden around the restaurant. Food and beverage specials will include $3 draft beers and $4 pizza slices.
5. Solve a Celtic-themed mystery
Memphis’ Central Christian Church will host a mystery dinner Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to benefit Compassion Neighborhood Clinic, a free medical facility for the uninsured. Written by Memphis writer Phyllis Appleby, the interactive murder mystery show will feature a silent auction and prizes. The story revolves around a murder at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at a haunted castle. A pasta dinner will be served, and tickets are $40 per person. Reservations are required. Central Christian Church is located at 531 S. McLean Blvd.
Some students already have plans for St. Patrick’s Day, including Patrick McNicholas, 27, school psychology major at the University of Memphis.
“I play drums for the Memphis Grizzlies,” McNicholas said. “There’s a Beale Street St. Patrick’s Day parade, so I’ll be drumming at that, as well as the game later that night.”
Sydney Stewart, 22, health sciences major, said although she doesn’t normally celebrate the holiday, her Irish grandmother always sends her green outfits.
“She goes to Macy’s, gets pajamas and everything,” Stewart said. “I also talked my friends into going to Silky O’Sullivan’s downtown on Beale Street. We’re going to celebrate a little bit but not too hard.”
Taylor Baxter, 19, nursing major, said her only plans for the holiday are to “try not to get pinched.”
