Acton goes 'green' for St. Patty’s day.
Today in Acton you can find large top hats, cheerful smiles, and people in green all across our town, and the world, but more importantly... our town.
Yes, it is that time of year again, when the beer turns green, as does the clothing. The time when the full Irish, part Irish, and those who are “Irish for the day” come out and celebrate St. Patricks Day.
St. Patrick's Day, or Lá Fhéile Pádraig (Feast of St Patrick), or St. Patty’s Day, is a cultural and religious celebration, which takes place on March 17th each year to commemorate Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland.
Patrick, who was a Christian Missionary and Bishop in Ireland, lived AD 385–461, yet he is still celebrated today, primarily by drinking alcohol and wearing green, and shamrocks of course.
Though there is speculation upon where some traditions came in, some say that the shamrock was a symbol of the Triple deity or Holy Trinity of the Pagan Irish. Others say shamrocks can be used to undo the malevolent magic of leprechauns, whereas green can be used as though to become invisible to them in nature. While, some of the festivities are more rooted in mystery, other ones like the tradition of alcohol, not so much. Christians who were fasting for lent who had a restriction on alcohol and eating, had their stipulations lifted for the day and were able to participate in the celebrations. I got the chance to go around Acton, to the various places celebrations were taking place to see what they had planned for the day as well as talk to patrons. At Tommy’s, although they had nothing specific planned for the day, already had a big crowd of people celebrating. Ken, who was enjoying his day at Tommy’s commented, he would "like to see an United Ireland, the north and the south reincarnated into a proper state that occurred back in the day”. On my journey, I bumped into two more people dressed festively and asked their plans. Shane and Leah were “on their way to the Red Harp to drink some green beers”. At the Red Harp Pub, all the staff members had green on and they were in full festive spirit with multiple bands and specials planned for the day.
The entertainment at the Harp for the night includes “Erin's Marlore”, Irish dancers from “Finnegan School of Irish Dance” at 7:15, then on stage at 9:00 pm you can find “4 Play” a hard rock band from Milton.
For specials, they have a corn beef dinner, lamb stew, and potato soup. Also, Samantha, the owner of Red Harp says the night would have “surprises and what not.”
Over at Tanners, they have "Cameron and Cameron" playing with acoustic guitars who play “A little bit of everything”.
For specials, they had “St Patrick’s Potato cabbage”, “Irish stew”, Corn Beef, and pork tenderloin.
We spoke with Tanner’s patron Bryan Fields and asked what his plans were for the day, to which he responded, “to have a few”
While the day is focused on cheers and celebration people are reminded to do so safely. On the Halton Police’s twitter, they tweeted “Happy St. Patrick's Day, Halton. ☘️ Please make sure your safe travel plan for today includes a taxi, public transit, a designated driver or ride-sharing service. #PlansBeforePints”.
If you’re in Acton, why not get out and enjoy the day, the Irish way… Cheers.
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