Dust off your shillelagh and grab that cozy fisherman’s sweater you bought in the Aran Islands — it’s time to green up the South Fork in celebration of that annual day of parades, bag pipes, whiskey and shepherd’s pie. There’s plenty to check out in the Hamptons (and, really, a celebration of the Irish holiday nearly every week of the month), so jig on over to one of these grass-is-greener goings-on.
Soda Bread, Crafts and Storytelling at Shelter Island Public Library, 37 N. Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-0042
Searching for that perfect soda bread recipe? Head to the Shelter Island Public Library at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, and pick up your very own Irish soda bread muffin kit, full of all the dry ingredients to make magical muffins for the holiday. (Note: You will need to supply your own eggs, butter, vegetable oil and buttermilk). Friday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m., Kids 6 and up will get to listen to the Adam Wallace tale, How to Catch a Leprechaun, and then make their very own edible rainbow from Fruit Loops and marshmallows (sign us up!). Free; register here.
Westhampton Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Main Street will be packed like so much spring clover on Saturday, March 14 at noon for this annual feel-good day of all-things Irish. This year’s grand marshal for the Westhampton Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Allyson Barone Scerri, founder of New Beginnings Community Center, which helps those with traumatic brain injuries get high-quality rehabilitation and help. Help her and a bevy of marching bands, fire trucks, antique cars and so many more celebrate at this annual fun community day.
Am O’Gansett St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day; apparently, even the ancestral Montauketts — at least according to the cleverly dissected and Eire-o-fied Am O’ Gansett St. Pat’s Parade, this year held on Saturday, March. 14 at noon on Main Street and it’s no slaggin’: This is certainly the worlds’ shortest parade in honor of Ireland’s patron saint.
Women of Ireland at Hampton Bays Public Library, 52 Ponquogue Ave., Hampton Bays, 631-728-6241
Join in on this virtual lecture on Wednesday, March, 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and listen to Kevin Westley regale you with tales of Irish women of note, from the Celtic war goddess Morrison to Gráinne Ní Mháille (aka, Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen) and many more. Ages 18 and over can sign up here. Free.
Irish Stew Contest at The Green Room, 90 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-725-0010
Who makes the best Irish stew in town? Will the winner have lamb or beef? Be all veg and taters, thin and brothy, or thick and hearty? Head to Sag Harbor Cinema’s The Green Room for this annual Stew-off where local chefs put their best Irish cooking on the line. Help to judge the winner among local culinary luminaries, like chef Adam West of Ram’s head Inn, the venerable chef Peter Ambrose, plus entries from Sen, Cluckman’s, Kidd Squid, Wölffer and Pearson School and the Ross School, while listening to the live tunes of Whatever Lola Wants. And don’t be surprised if Irish cocktail maven Deborah Lee mixes up something celebratory for the occasion. Tickets are $15, $10 for members. And the whole shebang is sponsored by Summerhill Landscapes (aka, the very, truly Irish Declan Blackmore).
Hampton Bays St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Hosted by the Hampton Bays Hibernians, the 19th Annual Hampton Bays St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks offon Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m. at the American Legion Hall at 55 Ponquogue Ave., with this year’s grand marshal Brendan O’Dwyer. Fun fact: this chapter of the Ancient order of Hibernians was eastern Long Island’s very first, being awarded the designation of Division 11 in April 2001.
Montauk St. Patrick’s Day Parade
If the pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow, one of the most well-attended parade entries to the St. Pat’s tradition is at The End. Somewhere around 40,000 celebrants typically gather for the Montauk Friend’s of Erin Parade, this year held on Sunday, March 29 at noon.
