Photo courtesy of Corey McDonald / The Jersey Journal.
There are over 40,000 people of Irish descent in Hudson County. That makes up for 6.3 percent of the county’s population.
But on St. Patrick’s Day, that doesn’t matter as thousands gather to celebrate the holiday.
Where To Celebrate
March 17, 2023: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Jersey Social, located at 837 Jersey Avenue in Jersey City. They are serving dinner from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
March 17, 2023 – all weekend: Eat or drink at O’Leary’s Publik House, located at 788 Garfield Avenue in Jersey City. They are open until 3 a.m.
March 19, 2023: St Patrick’s Day Parades across Hudson County
- Jersey City: Near Dickinson High School, starting at 1 p.m.
- West Hudson (Harrison, East Newark, Kearny): At Holy Cross Church, starting at 1 p.m.
- Bayonne: On Broadway and Fifth Street, starting at 1 p.m.
March 19, 2023: St Patrick’s Day Dinner at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, located at 800 Roosevelt Avenue in Secaucus.
What To Drink
Today is a day to celebrate our Irish friends and family as we honor their rich culture and history.
With corn beef, cabbage and soda bread a-plenty, we also use this day as a time to get together in droves, and drink to our hearts content.
So in keeping with the spirit of this great holiday, our resident Boozer-in-Chief, Mark Rotundo, has put together a list of his recommended drinks to try.
Baby Guinness
What can get more classically Irish than a tall pint of Guinness? Well how about his baby? This sweet and creamy shot is sure to be a favorite at your Saint Paddy’s house party.
- Ingredients: Irish Cream (Bailey’s), Coffee Liqueur (Kahlua)
- Directions: Take a shot glass pour a ¾ shot of the coffee liqueur. Then, take a mixing spoon and hold it on top of the shot glass. Lightly pour your Irish Cream over the back of the spoon gently, and fill to the top. The cream should float over the liqueur.
Irish Coffee
Have you ever wanted a heart-pumping boost of caffeine with the sluggish fog that comes with hard liquor? The Irish Coffee is sure to get you on your feet, and promptly on your face in no time!
- Ingredients: Irish Whiskey of your choice, Sugar, Freshly Made Black Coffee and Heavy Cream
- Directions: Pour 1 ¾ of whiskey into a heat proof glass and add sugar to taste. Pour in the coffee and stir till sugar dissolves. Finally, take heavy cream and pour gently over the back of a mixing spoon to let the cream float on top. Do not stir, drink through the cream.
The Tricolor
What isn’t there to love about a cocktail that resembles the great flag of Ireland?
- Ingredients: Green Creme de Menthe, Baileys Irish Cream, Grand Marnier
- Directions: Pour a shot glass 1/3 full with the creme de menthe. Next, pour Irish cream slowly over the back of a mixing spoon. Finally, once again pouring slowly over the back of a spoon, add a layer of Grand Marnier.
The Shamrock
Sweet, minty, and primarily GREEN. This magically delicious cocktail is sure to liven up the house party with its distinct color and powerful taste.
- Ingredients: Irish Whiskey, Dry Vermouth, Green Chartreuse and Creme de Menthe
- Directions: Pour ¾ oz of whisky, ¾ oz. of vermouth and 3 dashes of chartreuse into a mixing glass with cracked ice and stir till well frosted. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and pour in the creme de menthe.
Cuba Libre
Okay sure this is nowhere near Irish, but as a Cuban man myself, I couldn’t help but include my all time favorite drink to have on any occasion. Simple, sweet and refreshing. This is the go-to cocktail if you want to light up the function, or start a revolution, it’s your choice.
- Ingredients: White Rum, Coca-Cola and Lime Wedge
- Directions: Pour 2 oz. of rum into a tall glass with ice. Pour Coca-Cola to the top of the glass and add lime wedge to garnish.
How The World Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day
Tokyo, Japan
People fill the streets dressed up as leprechauns and take part in a Saint Patrick’s Day parade.
Chicago, Illinois
Workers dye the Chicago River green as an annual tradition for Saint Patrick’s Day.
New York City
People gather around for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue.
Munich, Germany
Holding one of the largest Saint Patrick’s parades outside of Ireland in Ludwigstrasse.
Sydney, Australia
The Sydney Opera House is lit green in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day.
Portland, Maine
People jump in freezing waters in the Atlantic Ocean at 5:30 in the morning for Saint Patrick’s Day, have a free Irish breakfast, have a raffle and donate the proceedings for a good cause.
Did You Know?
- Ireland has a pub that opened in 900 AD called Sean’s Pub
- If you have an Irish surname that begins with Mac, that means “Son of.” If you have one that begins with O that means “Grandson of”
- The holiday Halloween actually originated in Ireland. It was — and still is — known as the Celtic festival Samhain
- Ireland has one of the wettest climates in all of Europe. It rains about 151 days a year along the east and southeast coasts, and about 225 days in the west
- Ireland has a national Leprechaun Museum
- Ireland has a temple called Newgrange that predates the pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge
- 10 million pints of Guinness are produced in Dublin every day
- Only 9% of the Irish population are natural redheads
- Ireland is one of the youngest countries ever to elect a female head of state
- Ireland has over 25,000 castles
- Ancient Ireland had over 500 royal families
- County Clare has a 150 mile slab of limestone called “The Burren” meaning Stoney place.
