Day a taste of Ireland
THOUSANDS of Townsville residents will celebrate St Patrick’s Day with greenery and Guinness today.
North Queensland Irish Association committee member Jason Kepper said the day meant a lot for many Australians.
“With many Australians claiming Irish heritage, the club consists of a large number of people with Irish surnames and broad North Queensland accents, as well as many migrants who have chosen to call Townsville their new home,” he said.
The NQIA has been around for more than 30 years and now has 70 members.
“We began as a group of like- minded Irish migrants and second- generation Irish Australians who wanted the opportunity to share their culture with the wider community,” Mr Kepper said.
The NQIA has joined forces with Molly Malones for a 9am start to celebrations, with games and an Irish band throughout the day.
Molly Malones manager Tony Carter said the phone had been ringing off the hook for the past week.
“We are definitely anticipating one of the biggest ones we have seen in years,” he said.
“Last year’s was big, as it was on a Friday, so people should get in nice and early.”
Irish Finnegan’s is making the most of the weekend event, with two massive days of festivities for the community.
Kicking off at 8am today with a traditional big Irish buffet breakfast, the bar will be pumping greenery and Guinness all weekend.
Flynn’s Irish Bar is kicking their party off at 10am with a big Irish breakfast for $ 10.
Live music starts at noon with giveaways, Irish dancers, cocktails and a pipe band.
Riverview Tavern will have live music, food and Guinness specials.
The Quarterdeck at The Ville will celebrate today with live music, green beer, Guinness and Irish whiskey.
The Burdekin Celtic Dancers have a packed St Patrick’s Day schedule and will be moving between Flynn’s, Molly Malones and Irish Finnegan’s for displays.
Check out their Facebook page for all their performance times.
Juliette’s on the Strand will be the site for an Irish dancing flash mob at 10am and 4pm.