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6 ways to get a taste of Ireland in OKC this St. Paddy’s Day
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, attributed with bringing Christianity to the country and even said to have driven snakes out the land, according to legend.
The holiday originally was a celebration of the saint’s death in the 1600s, according to The Conversation. But time and consumerism created a market for restaurants, bars and sellers of all things shamrock to take full advantage of.
So while snakes are never known to have inhabited Ireland and the lore surrounding St. Patrick’s Day may originally have had little to do with beer, green or otherwise, minty shakes or the consumption of corned beef, cabbage or any other “traditional” Irish foods, that’s no excuse for you not to enjoy them.
Perhaps you’ll head to McDonald’s for a classic Shamrock shake, available again for a limited time. Or maybe stop into an Andy’s Frozen Custard location for a Mint Creme Oreo Concrete or Mint Creme Oreo Shake.
Here are six more local ways to tap into the holiday across Oklahoma City.
1. Grab a Lucky Spark Shake from Spark at Scissortail Park
Location: 300 Oklahoma City Blvd. (On the north end of Scissortail Park)
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily all month
Spark’s March custard flavor of the month, mint chocolate chip, is cool green with chocolate bits and available by the scoop or as the limited-time Lucky Spark Shake, which is topped with whipped cream, Air Heads Rainbow Rope, Lucky Charms Marshmallows and rimmed with green sanding sugar for good measure.
2. McNellie’s Irish Pub Block Party
Location: 1100 Classen Drive
When: March 17, pub doors open at 10 a.m., block party begins at 11 a.m.
The party will feature outdoor music from DJ Navi at noon, Irish Breakfast Club at 3 p.m. and Mike Hosty at 7 p.m. There will be two draft trailers and two bars as, well as a food tent.
3. VZD’s Annual St Paddy’s Day Party
Location: 4200 N Western Ave.
When: 2 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
March 17 Live music begins at 6 p.m. with the 100 Bones Band. Weekend AllStars take the stage at 9:30 p.m. Drink specials all day include $2 green beer, $4 Jameson, Guinness, green tea shots and Irish car bombs.
4. ShamROCK the Gardens at Myriad Botanical Gardens
Location: 301 W Reno Ave.
When: Noon to 3 p.m.
March 17 Grab food from Irish food vendors and hear music by Oklahoma Irish bands, including the Flowers of Edinburgh, and dancers such as the McTeggart Irish Dancers. Get into the spirit with face painting of a shamrock or another design or join Irish clubs for instructional dancing. Be sure to stop by and see if the garden’s lake is dyed this year!
5. St. Patrick’s Day in Red Piano Lounge
Location: One Park Ave. (inside the Skirvin Hilton Hotel)
When: 4 to 10 p.m. March 17
Red Piano Lounge will serve Irish bar bites, including Dublin potato croquettes, steak and cheddar beignets, mini fish and chip cups and mini corned beef and cabbage bites to complement live music and drinks. Grant Stephens will play live from 5 to 8 p.m.
6. St. Pat’s at the Pub at Sean Cumming’s Irish Pub
Location: 7628 N May Ave
When: Doors open at noon on March 17
Sean Cumming’s Irish Pub will serve traditional Irish fare such as fish and chips, corned beef and cabbage, stew and more. Live bands will perform throughout the day. Reps from Guinness, Jameson and Tullamoore Dew will be on hand at different times throughout the day with swag and Guinness will even offer $5 Lyft codes for customers who purchase multiple pints.