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Irish Revelry Starts Early In Tampa

Tribune photo by GREG FIGHT

The Mystic Krewe of Neptune float makes its way up 7th Avenue in Ybor City in last year's Rough Riders annual St. Patrick's Parade.

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By SARA MINTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 12, 2009

Updated: 03/17/2009 01:03 pm

The Irish haze over Tampa today only seemed to add to the ambiance as St. Patrick's Day celebrations started early.

Cliff Talbott and Kenny Frissell arrived at Four Green Fields around 10 a.m. and planned to make a day of it. "This is about as authentic as you can get in Tampa," Frissell said. "It's not like the other American-Irish pubs around town."

They two came early to take part in a special Irish buffet featuring shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread.

Across the bar sat Derek and Lori (last names withheld at their request), both unemployed and but refusing to let that ruin their St. Patrick's Day celebration. They planned to keep partying "until the money runs out," said Lori, who was laid off from her business job last July. Derek, an electrician, has been unable to find work since being laid off last January.

Lyn Lashley and her church group from Hyde Park United Methodist, located just around the corner from Four Green Fields, filled the corner of the pub with laughter. "Methodists like to eat and have fun too," one at their table offers. The women started their St. Patrick's Day with a traditional Irish breakfast, pints of Guinness or Irish coffee and fellowship.

"We did say Grace before we ate, though," said Lashley.

Last year, Four Green Fields kept full capacity throughout the day, and management expects the same today. The Irish buffet lasts until 2 p.m., and the live music started at noon, featuring Legacy, a band from Kilbeggan, Ireland, and Pat and Andy Dunlea from Cork City.

Michael Londra of Riverdance

Irishman Michael Londra, of Riverdance fame, celebrates his native holiday at the Largo Cultural Center by performing traditional Irish songs, dance and storytelling. Backed by his five-piece Celtic band, you'll be sure to hear Irish classics, including "Danny Boy" and "She Moved Through the Fair." There will be two performances, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Irish food served twice, with seating at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets will cost you $27 to $35 and meal tickets are an additional $10.

Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo; (727) 587-6751

Four Green Fields

Our favorite thatched-roof bar, Four Green Fields, will offer a special Irish buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, including shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread. Music also will be on tap starting at noon and running until 2 a.m., featuring Legacy, a band from Kilbeggan, Ireland, and Pat and Andy Dunlea from Cork City. Four Green Fields is located at 205 Platt St. The Tribune is not sponsoring this event, although we think of ourselves as an unofficial sponsor of Four Green Fields on a continuing basis, considering it's within walking distance of our office and we go there frequently.

Four Green Fields, 205 W. Platt St., Tampa; (813) 254-4444

O'Brien's Irish Pubs

O'Brien's has four pubs in the Bay area, located in Plant City, Brandon, North Tampa and Riverview. In Plant City, they're planning an Irish Block Party that is "family friendly." That means stuff for the kids such as face painting, a bounce house, a dunk tank, balloon artists, a treasure hunt and potato sack races. The Brandon and Tampa locations are places where bagpipes will be heard and Irish Step dancers seen. You can get traditional Irish food, such as corned beef and cabbage, at all locations. The party runs all weekend, starting at 2 p.m. Saturday. For information, visit www.obrienspubs.com.

O'Brien's Irish Pub, 11744 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 961-4092

O'Brien's Irish Pub, 701 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon; (813) 661-9688

O'Brien's Irish Pub, 1701 S. Alexander St., Plant City; (813) 764-8818

O'Brien's Irish Pub, 11375 Big Bend Road, Riverview; (813) 671-1135

Whitey's Fox and Hounds Irish Pub

Back when we were wee slips of a lad (and a lass), and were recent arrivals to the Tampa Bay area, they always gave us a kind welcome at the Fox and Hounds Irish Pub in Brandon, which we recommend for those looking to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on the east side of the Bay area. The bar opens Tuesday at 11 a.m., live music begins at 3 p.m., the McGinley Irish Dancing starts at 5 p.m., and J.J. Smith will take the stage at 7 p.m. Check out their Web site at www.whiteysfoxandhounds.com, where you'll hear such tunes such as "In Heaven There Is No Beer," which, of course, is why we drink it here.

Whitey's Fox and Hounds Irish Pub, 229 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon; (813) 685-8151

The Dubliner Irish Pubs

In our opinion, The Dubliner does its best at keeping South Tampa a little less snooty and a little more laid back. We like it because the staff acts more like your friend than just your bartender. As for food, they are serving an Irish breakfast on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon and a special Irish luncheon on St. Patrick's Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You're sure to see bagpipers and live music by local talent from Saturday through Tuesday. If you'd like to see what's on tap, visit www.thedublineririshpub.com. Also, the Dubliner opened the doors last weekend on a second location over in Citrus Park, which will host a block party with much the same entertainment, only on a slightly larger scale.

The Dubliner Irish Pub, 2307 W. Azeele St., Tampa; (813) 258-2257

The Dubliner Irish Pub, 12836 Henderson Road, Tampa; (813) 300-2076

MacDinton's Irish Pub

Guinness has been flowing freely at this pub since May of 2002 and their traditional dishes — such as shepherd's pie and bangers and mash — aren't too shabby, either. Even though this spot is slightly less authentic on weekends (because of South Tampa socialites taking over), it stays true by consistently showing The Six Nations Rugby Championship, along with full slate of European soccer matches. As for their St. Patrick's Day celebration, it starts on Saturday and runs through Tuesday, featuring performances by McGinley's Academy Irish Dancers, bag pipers and live music from The Paper Stanleys, The Dukes of Swagger and The GoDaddies. For the full schedule, visit www.macdintons.com. You may want to arrive early; crowds are expected.

MacDinton's Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa; (813) 251-8999

James Joyce Irish Pub

Tucked in between all the neon-lit nightclubs, there's a little staircase along Seventh Avenue that leads upstairs to an oasis of authenticity — an Irish pub called the James Joyce. The Joyce kicks off its celebration with the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday and the revelry continues through Tuesday. They're planning continuous live music, including bagpipers and Celtic music, all day on Tuesday. For those in need of food, try the traditional bangers and mash or the frequently requested black-and-tan onion rings.

James Joyce Irish Pub, 17041/2 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 247-1896

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