It’s that time of year again, when folks from across several South Fork hamlets band together to celebrate all things Irish in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Although the holiday honoring the Emerald Isle’s patron saint officially falls on Sunday, March 17, folks from across the East End will be celebrating all month long via parades, concerts, food and drink specials, movie screenings and much more.
Here’s a little ditty on what’s up across the South Fork for the rest of this month that’ll be sure to bring out the Irish in all of us.
Sag Harbor
Arguably one of the prettiest spots in all of Sag Harbor, Cormaria Retreat Center (77 Bay St.) invites all to a traditional and hearty Irish family dinner, all while listening to festive Irish music. The offering is $35 per person and will run from 1 to 3 p.m. on March 17. Reservations and advanced payment are required. For more information call 631-725-4206 or email [email protected].
Families are welcome to gather at the John Jermain Memorial Library (201 Main St.) at 11:30 a.m. for a fun afternoon solving clues left by a leprechaun in search of a pot of gold. Starts in the lower level program room of the library.
The Green Room, Sag Harbor Cinema’s rooftop bar, will be hosting a little shindig on the evening of March 17, thanks to Irish-born head bartender Deborah Lee. Festivities will include an Irish stew competition, featuring samples from some of favorite Hamptons eateries, plus drink specials, Irish music, “and maybe a best outfit prize,” Lee says.
Hampton Bays
Even though they’re taking a year off from the actual parade, a handful of Hamptons Bays locales are still ready to celebrate all things Irish.
“St. Pat’s ShamRock” is on the lawn at Cowfish Restaurant on Saturday, March 16, from noon to 4 p.m.. Attendees will be able to rock out with live music from 2U, “the world’s 2nd best U2 show,” as they cover some of the legendary Irish rock band’s most beloved songs, plus takes on party songs and Irish classics. There’ll be performances from Irish step dancers, while face painting and gold coin and four-leaf clover hunts (with prizes) will be available for the kids. Adults can enjoy Guinness and Teeling Irish Whiskey tastings. Tickets are $10 for adults, free for kids. Guests dining for lunch will receive complimentary admission to the party.
On St. Patrick’s Day proper, all are welcome to join the Hampton Bays Public Library’s St. Paddy’s Day-themed trivia. A virtual event, all questions will be emailed to you on March 17 and participants will have until 9 p.m. to play. Everyone will be eligible to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Register with Theresa at [email protected] with the subject “HBAY/STPATTYS.” Call Donna Valle, the library’s adult program coordinator, at 631-728-6241 ext. 122 for more information.
In lieu of a parade this year, the Hampton Bays Hibernians will hold a special event at Buckley’s Inn Between on Main Street on March 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. to benefit the “Grand Marshal Unsung Hero Scholarship Fund,” awarded to a Hampton Bays High School graduating senior who shows exemplary community involvement. While simultaneously honoring all the parade grand marshals of the past, all are encouraged to join in the fun, which will include bagpipes, live music, complimentary appetizers and 50/50 raffle drawings. Tickets are $20 per person, or three for $50 and are available through Venmo: @HBUnsungHeroes or at Buckley’s.
Westhampton Beach
Westhampton Beach residents show their “Erin go Bragh” enthusiasm with a slew of events in honor of the Emerald Isle.
The 55th Westhampton Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade is this Saturday, March 9, beginning at noon on Mill Road. As is tradition, the parade will feature about a half dozen bagpipe bands, fire departments and ambulance units, along with a couple high school bands and dozens of floats and classic cars, drawing upwards of 10,000 spectators. It will be led by this year’s grand marshal, former WHB school athletic director and teacher Patty Ziparo-Dalton. Starting in front of the middle school, the parade travels toward Main Street, ultimately turning right onto the main drag and ending near the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center.
Immediately following, Westhampton Beach Brewing Co. is teaming up with the fine folks at Justin’s Chop Shop for the parade’s after party. Set to be situated under a tent at the beloved butcher’s Sunset Avenue location from about 12:30 to 4 p.m., festivities will include live music by the Southpawz Trio along with yummy bites and sips.
Next week, on March 12, the brewery hosts “Irish Sessions,” where traditional Irish music will be played by some fabulous local musicians.
Amagansett
Rowdy Hall in Amagansett will be featuring an Irish-themed prix fixe plus drink specials in honor of the holiday. For $35, diners are welcome on March 17 to choose an appetizer and entrée or an entrée and dessert. Items include colcannon soup, corned beef and cabbage with mustard and Irish soda bread, bangers and mash, and chocolate Guinness layer cake.
Beverage specials will include a “Stout & Shot,” which will feature a 19-oz. pint of Guinness paired with a shot of West Cork IPA cask-matured Irish whiskey, or a Rowdy Irish Coffee. Both are $10.
Irish food and drink specials will also be available à la carte on both Saturday, March 23 (for the Amagansett parade), and on Sunday, March 24 (in honor of the Montauk parade).
Aptly dubbed the Am-O’Gansett St. Patrick’s Day Parade, this tongue-in-cheek parade is named for the tiny but mighty hamlet’s very own march in honor of Ireland’s patron saint. Self-described as the “world’s shortest parade” by the Amagansett Chamber of Commerce, the parade starts at noon on Saturday, March 23, on Main Street.
Montauk
The 62nd annual Montauk St. Patrick’s Day Parade, brought to us by the Montauk Friends of Erin, will be on Sunday, March 24, kicking off at noon on Edgemere Road. Led by this year’s grand marshal Steve “Puck” Dolan, the parade consistently ranks as one of the largest in the state, bringing tens of thousands of spectators to The End and is one of the unofficial starts of the season for the East End.
Riverhead
Downtown Riverhead’s The Suffolk knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend right.
On March 15 at 8 p.m., it’s The StepCrew, an original percussive dance company that blends traditional Irish stepdancing, Ottawa Valley stepdancing and tap. Featuring dancers and musicians from The Cheiftans, Cherish the Ladies and Bowfire, the ensemble also includes three world-class fiddlers along with a five-piece band. Tickets start at $59.
Gear up for a screening of a Hollywood classic on March 16, as The Suffolk shows The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and the original Irish lass of the silver screen herself, Maureen O’Hara. There’ll be complimentary Irish coffee and Irish cream cheesecake with ticket purchase. Starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $25.
On actual St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), Dervish performs beginning at 7 p.m.. Featuring some of the Emerald Isle’s finest musicians, the musical group has been rocking their Irish socks off since the late ’80s. Fronted by renowned singer Cathy Jordan, the band performs traditional Irish music and was the recipient of the BBC’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Tickets start at $75 are available here.
