Irish Breakfast

When I came to the United States in the late 80s, I’d never heard of St Patrick’s Day.  Yes, I come from a small Quebec town that’s 90% Catholic, but the holiday just wasn’t celebrated. Fast-forward 10 years later, and at a legal drinking age, and I was all about St Patty’s.

When I worked in downtown Ft Lauderdale, a group of co-workers and I would go to Maguire’s Hill 16, a local favorite Irish bar and restaurant, for Irish Breakfast early before work.  The place would already be mobbed with revelers and the atmosphere really got us in a celebratory mood.  We’d get a wrist band on the way out, that allowed us to come back after work without paying a cover – great plan, no?  The place set out huge party tents in its parking lot where it hosted various Irish bands.  What fun!

Although I’m a food and wine fan, I’m a beer-lover at heart, and love everything about this festive holiday: green beer (one for fun), Guinness, soda bread, Sheppard’s pie, Irish breakfast or stew and the fact that it’s just a fun day where people let loose – everybody’s Irish on St Patty’s.

What are your St Patty’s Day celebration plans or what Irish dish or drink do you enjoy on the greenest day of the year?