Luck was in the air as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations took the weekend by storm in Athens.
St. Patrick’s Day has a long history, with over 1,000 years of celebrations and recognition worldwide, according to History. Irish people have long observed the holiday through a religious lens, as it lands amid the Catholic season of Lent.
Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, escaped slavery after being kidnapped and brought to Ireland at age 16. After his escape, he was recognized for bringing Christianity to the nation, explaining the Holy Trinity by using the three leaves of the shamrock.
It wasn’t until centuries after his death that the Irish ingrained Patrick’s life into their culture. However, it is believed the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in America on March 17, 1601, in St. Augustine, Florida. The Irish followed these traditions years later, as “homesick Irish soldiers” entered New York City in 1762 in honor of Saint Patrick.
Despite a plethora of residents and students having already participated in the annual Green Beer Day festivities March 6, local restaurants did not shy away from throwing an exciting party for St. Paddy’s Day.
Little Fish Brewing Co. opened in 2015 and is one of Athens' beloved breweries, serving various locally sourced plates and crafted beers. With options to carry out, cater or dine in, Little Fish brews with a “farmhouse mentality” and offers a family-friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Jimmy Stockwell, co-owner and founder of Little Fish, said the restaurant and brewery’s annual St. Patrick’s Day party Sunday welcomed families from around the neighborhood.
“It is a different kind of activity for St. Patrick’s Day,” Stockwell said. “We do food specials and drink specials and just have a really good time.”
The seafood chowder, house-corned beef reuben, Irish coffee and Nitro Lil Harvey’s milk stout were just a few of the fun dishes and drinks on the menu.
Attendees also enjoyed a live performance from the Ohio Valley School of Celtic Dance and Culture. The non-profit organization on 70 N. Plains Road strives to build confidence and self-esteem in Irish dancers. Dance Us states Irish dancing is rooted in Gaelic or Celtic dance forms and is performed in both solo and large groups with upward of 20 dancers.
The dance form includes “intricate footwork” and is performed with a “stiff upper body” and a lack of arm and hand movement. Megan Starkey, the creative director at OVSCDC, is an Irish dancer and recapped the team’s performance plan before the show.
“We have some of the traditional Ceilí dances, which are group dances,” Starkey said. “We also have our beginner dancers dancing some, so it will be a lot of their first performances.”
Audience members were also invited to the stage and taught original choreography, creating an energetic and lively experience for the kids.
“My favorite thing about watching performances is seeing how the dancers step into their own and really take so much pride over the work they have done,” Starkey said.
From the famous Leprechaun to green accessories and clothing, St. Patrick’s Day has several traditions for people to participate in. While Little Fish served smiles, others commemorated the holiday with a delicious meal and quality family time.
Dot Daus, a sophomore studying exercise physiology, comes from a family of St. Patrick’s Day fanatics, all of whom enjoy a thrilling party. With family members required to follow a strict “all green” dress code, Daus said the table was set with a traditional Irish meal, including green beer, water and milk.
“It is corned beef and potatoes, carrots and cabbage and some salad,” Daus said. “It’s lettuce, feta and oranges, so it is green, white and orange, the colors of the Irish flag, and we also have these jello jigglers which are cut into the shape of shamrocks.”
Daus said the celebration typically falls on St. Patrick’s Day, but this year’s party was hosted before the end of spring break so she could attend.
“It is just kind of a silly tradition but we are Irish,” Daus said. “I do not know exactly how much, but my grandma would always celebrate it … and it is just a time to get everyone together and celebrate our roots and kind of make a fool of ourselves.”
As students left spring break behind and traveled back to campus, a cozy St. Patrick’s Day dinner was ready to eat in Nelson Court on South Green for those with a traditional or flex meal plan.
The tables, walls and food stands were decorated with green accessories and signage, providing a fun dining experience. Some of the “festive” menu items included shepherd's pie, Irish soda bread, velvet cupcakes and shamrock cookies.
“These celebrations offer students a break from their routine and a chance to experience something fun and culturally enriching,” Autumn Ryder, director of culinary services, wrote in an email. “It can be especially meaningful for students who are far from home and might be missing those familiar traditions.”
Stockwell said St. Patrick’s Day is not only a vibrant holiday but an opportunity for people to observe Irish heritage.
“It is important to have activities in general in Athens because it is a smaller community … and with small kids, there are not always a lot of things to do,” Stockwell said. “It is one of the reasons we started Little Fish, to kind of fill that void.”
