Slainte! Portland's St. Patrick's Day events will start bright and early
Peter Van Allen
RiRa's 72 Commercial St. location will open at 6 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day for Irish and American breakfast fare, served downstairs until 10 a.m.
They say everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day and, if the number of events scheduled this week is any indication, that's certainly true in Portland, where there's something for everyone to enjoy on Friday, March 17.
RiRa starts things off bright and early at 5:30 a.m. with the Paddy's Day Plunge at East End Beach on the Eastern Prom. Money raised from participants supports the Portland Firefighters Children's Burn Foundation, which has a network of volunteers and hosts a children's winter burn survivors camp. Winners of the Paddy's Day Plunge raffle and auction will be announced at RiRa at 10 a.m. (See schedule below.) Sign up here to support a great cause.
The Maine Irish Heritage Center hosted the annual Portland parade last weekend, but members will keep the celebration going with an Irish Flag Raising over Portland at 8:30 a.m. Guests are invited to meet on the front steps of the MIHC at 34 Gray St. to take a walk through Portland’s old Irish neighborhood to Harbor View Park on York Street, where the Irish flag will be raised at 8:45 a.m. Coffee, tea and Irish soda bread will be served at the center afterward from 9-10 a.m.
RiRa's 72 Commercial St. location is opening at 6 a.m. for Irish and American breakfast fare, served downstairs until 10 a.m. Local radio station WBLM will broadcast remotely from 8-10 a.m. Claddagh Mhor Pipe Band will perform at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Stillson School of Irish Step Dancers at noon, The Few at 4 p.m. and Hambone at 9 p.m.
Gritty McDuff’s is also opening early at 8 o'clock, serving up a special Irish-inspired brunch menu until 11 a.m., when more St. Patrick’s Day staples such as corned beef and cabbage will be available at the 396 Fore St. pub. The Kora Highlanders Bagpipe & Drum Band will perform at 3:30 p.m.
Get your fix of great folk tunes on St. Paddy’s with Willy Martin & the Woods performing live at the Thirsty Pig from 2-3 p.m.
Batson River Brewing & Distilling will host live music, offer special menu items, and feature beer and whiskey pairings from 4-10 p.m. Try corned beef and cabbage pizza, or an Irish Reuben, and dance to live music from Finley’s Four Provinces Quartet from 6-8 p.m. Batson is extending its celebration into Saturday, March 18, with a Kegs & Eggs brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Portland Club is also hosting a day-after party on Saturday, with family-friendly Irish entertainment from 5-11 p.m., featuring music, dancers, raffles and complimentary food and drink. Portland Club members are free, but asked to reserve a ticket online. Advance tickets for nonmembers are $25 for adults and $5 for minors. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for minors at the door.
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