Keeping traditions alive
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the Danbury-area Irish community celebrates St. Patrick’s Day
“Even though this has been one tough year, we’re still here to celebrate.” Kevin Hearty, foundation chairman for the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center
Irish flags flying, bagpipes humming, shamrock ravioli and 800 pounds of corned beef. The Danbury-area Irish community is maintaining tradition, although a wee bit differently than last year at the start of the pandemic.
“It’s been really hard on everybody, not being together,” said Wendy Mitchell, publicity officer for the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center. “The Irish club is our home. It’s important to so many of us to preserve our Irish heritage and culture.”
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations were muted last year when COVID-19 essentially shut down the country just before the holiday. The club had one celebration during the first weekend of last March, but canceled other events, including the annual parade.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions remaining this year, the club altered its festivities to bring the community together in safer ways while restaurants offered specials.
Instead of dancing at the annual ball, club members bought lawn signs that read “You’ve Been Shamrocked” and placed them on other lawns with
seven lucky shamrocks and a pot of chocolate gold.
The club hosted a members-only St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the center with live, acoustic music from the Fiddleuisce band, traditional corned beef, shepherd’s pie and Irish beers on tap.
Kevin Hearty, the club’s foundation chairman, said celebrating Irish heritage is an important part of Danbury’s history and allows the community to keep its “legacy going.”
“Even though this has been one tough year, we’re still here to celebrate,” he said.
Surrounding towns offered activities to celebrate Irish culture throughout the month. Bethel and New Fairfield each raised Irish flags and a St. Patrick’s Day Mass was held Saturday in New Fairfield.
The Redding Heritage Center and First Congregational Church of Bethel held drive-through events for residents serving either traditional meals, such as corned beef and cabbage, or giving out swag bags and pastries.
Villarina’s Pasta Shop in New Milford offered patrons shamrock ravioli and “leprechaunnolis,” sprinkled with green. Owner Adam Fragola said the shamrock ravioli is one of the restaurant’s “biggest hits.”
His grandmother was Irish and he bakes special St. Patrick’s Day treats each year.
“It’s definitely a funky time, [but] I’m just trying to keep the tradition intact,” he said.
Restaurants, such as O’Brien’s Irish Pub, offer a holiday-themed menu and opened earlier than usual on St. Patrick’s Day.
Molly’s Pub and Restaurant in Danbury opened at 10 a.m. and imported 800 pounds of corned beef for the holiday. The pub used to bring in Irish dancers and fly in a bagpipe player from Ireland, but decided against it for this year.
Manager Tatiana Riney said they’re “excited. [We’re] hoping for a pretty good turnout,” she said. “I think it’ll be a successful day.”
Surrounding towns offered activities to celebrate Irish culture throughout the month. Bethel and New Fairfield each raised Irish flags and a St. Patrick’s Day Mass was held Saturday in New Fairfield.
The Redding Heritage Center and First Congregational Church of Bethel held drive-through events for residents serving either traditional meals, such as corned beef and cabbage, or giving out swag bags and pastries.