How Irish is Houston?
Come the middle of March, suddenly every one’s Irish. As green beer flows through the taps and shamrock-clad men and women funnel into downtown to watch Saturday’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, the city could give the impression that it’s a hotspot for Irish-Americans. But that’s not really the case. Across the nation, Irish is the second most commonly reported ancestry, behind German, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But here in America’s most diverse city, a proliferation of backgrounds means there’s a potentially smaller share of each ancestry than nationwide numbers.
While 10.8 percent of Americans say they have an Irish ancestry, in Houston only 3.7 percent of the city’s residents claim roots in the Emerald Isle.
But pockets of the city boast a more substantial Irish population. Take the 77024 ZIP code in the Memorial area. With 9.4 percent of residents claiming Irish ancestry in this well-todo corner of the city, you’re 2.5 times as likely to find someone who possesses the luck of the Irish here than in the city at large.
Looking for a bar to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Try Irish Pub Kenneally’s at 2111 S. Shepherd, to watch bagpipers and Irish step dancers while snacking on stew and Guinness bread.
If green beer is more your style, stop at Little Woodrow’s in Midtown at 2306 Brazos, or Pub Fiction at 2303 Smith. Saturday’s parade begins at noon at Texas Avenue and Avenida de las Americas; more information at hsppc.org.