8 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in The D

Get in the spirit before the actual holiday:

1. Celtic Crossings

Looking for some Irish entertainment pre-St. Patrick’s Day? The Fraternal Order of United Irishmen Charities will present an evening of this on Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at The Detroit Music Hall Center for Performing Arts. The great songs of Phil Coulter will be sung by the magnificent voice of Andy Cooney with special guest Geraldine Branagan
and the Irish Pops Ensemble. To purchase tickets, visit Music Hall’s website.

2. Oakland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

This family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, March 11 at 11:30 a.m. on Washington Avenue in Royal Oak.

3. St. Patrick Parade Corktown Races

As a method of fundraising for the Saint Patrick’s Senior Center and the KPMG Family for Literacy, these races have had increasing attendance every year with now over 8,000 participants. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on March 12, there will be a Kids Quarter Mile followed by an Emerald Mile, Dublin Double (mile and 5K) and, of course, the Corktown Race. Visit the Corktown Races’ website for more information.

4. Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Starting at 12:30 p.m. March 12, The St. Patrick’s Parade will also take place in Corktown Detroit. Corktown, Detroit’s oldest surviving neighborhood, received its name since most of its residents were Irish immigrants from County Cork. Sponsored by the United Irish Societies, this year marks the parade’s 59th anniversary.

Celebrate the holiday in The D:

5. Detroit’s Irish Pubs

Three popular holiday hangouts in The D include Old Shillelagh Irish Pub on Monroe Street (known as “the place to be every St. Patrick’s Day, as well as the rest of the year), McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar on Michigan Avenue where “you’ll ALWAYS have fun” and “Detroit’s Oldest Party”: Nancy Whiskey on Harrison.

6. Gaelic League Irish American Club

The Gaelic League Irish American Club invites everyone to check it out and “join the fun.” All are even welcome to sign up for an Irish-American membership.

Enjoy the holiday around Detroit:

7. Metro Detroit Irish Pubs

Won’t be in the city on St. Patrick’s Day? No problem. There are plenty of Irish pubs in metro Detroit for you to drink beer at, as well:

• Claddagh Irish Pub (Livonia)
• Dick O’ Dow’s Irish Pub (Birmingham)
• Malarkey’s (Westland)
• O’Connor’s Public House (Rochester)
• O’Malley’s Irish Tavern (Auburn Hills)
• O’Tooles (Royal Oak)
• Rosie O’Grady’s (Ferndale)
• Sean O’Callaghans (Plymouth)
• The Blarney Stone Pub (Berkley)
• Sullivans Public House (Oxford)

Keep the party going post-holiday:

8. Celtic Croon & Cups

On Saturday, March 18 from 12 to 4 p.m., Pewabic Pottery is hosting a new event called Celtic Croon & Cups, which will combine music, poetry, and activities to celebrate its collection of Celtic designs along with specialty Detroit Map and “D” tiles in green. An event for the whole family, snacks and beverages will be available to sample.

However you decide to spend your St. Patrick’s Day this year, make sure you’re getting home safely. Need a place to stay overnight? Check out our hotel search.