St. Patrick’s Day 2008

St. Patrick's Day is almost upon us. In the United States we officially celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17. In Boston, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day for about three weeks in March.

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, would be proud. This year, South Boston’s Saint Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. The parade begins at the Broadway 'T' Station, it proceeds down West Broadway to East Broadway, to East 4th, to 5th Street and around Thomas Park. Marchers continue to Telegraph Street, to Dorchester Street, ending at Andrew Square.

In addition to marching, dancing the jig, gathering to sing songs, wearing green garb, and of course drinking Guinness and Jameson's Irish Whisky there are many other things to do around town. Here are a few:

- Laser U2. (March 14-15) U2 laser-light show at The Museum of Science. 8:30 p.m. $6.50 for adults.

- Celtic Invasion. (March 15) The Orpheum will showcase Ireland's top young boxing prospects as they face up-and-coming American fighters. 7-11 p.m. 21+, ID required. Tickets range from $40-$125

- Eastern Standard (March 15) is offering a prix-fixe Irish breakfast from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. Your choices will include white liver pudding, sunny-side up eggs, soda bread with Irish jams, boxty (traditional Irish potato pancake), Guinness braised beef, and poached egg. Cost is $14, which does not include beverages and gratuity.

- Ned Devine's Irish Pub. (March 15-16) Irish breakfast will be served this weekend beginning at 10 a.m. The pub's traditional Irish lunch and dinner menu, including corned beef and cabbage, beef stew, and fish and chips, will be served until 11 p.m.

- The Black Rose (March 17) will host WFNX as they broadcast live beginning at 6 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day. The first 100 people to arrive will get a free Irish breakfast. Live performance by Saint Poitin and an acoustic performance by Louis XIV. Visit FNXRADIO.com and you may just win a trip for two to Ireland.

- Blarney Stone Bar (March 16-17) will have traditional boiled dinner and shepherd’s pie on the menu Sunday and Monday.

- Doyle's Cafe is great on St. Patrick's Day. There's live Irish music and The Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums often stop here to entertain the crowd.

- The Burren in Davis Square will be serving a full Irish breakfast, and doors open at 8 a.m. At noon, Irish music will play in the front bar while McGowan's Rovers play back followed by Johnny Come Lately's and Spike Island. WAAF will broadcast from The Burren at 8 a.m.

- Dropkick Murphys (March 16-17) Boston's favorite Irish punk band will being playing the Paradise Rock Club for two nights. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8. thedise.com

- 'Bee Irish!' (March 17) The Bee Hive is celebrating in Irish Style. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. No cover charge. (617) 423.0069. beehiveboston.com

- Boston's Irish Heritage Trail: “The Irish Heritage Trail is a self-guided, three mile walking tour (click for map) that takes you through Boston's downtown, North End, Beacon Hill and Back Bay. You'll learn about famous politicians, artists, matriarchs and war heroes, part of a rich tradition of rebellion, leadership and triumph that personifies the Boston Irish. Tour starts at the Rose Kennedy Garden along the waterfront and proceeds throughout downtown Boston and into the Back Bay, ending up at the John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial in the Fens, not far from Fenway Park.”

No matter what you do this St. Patrick’s Day, “May luck be your companion. May friends stand by your side. May history remind us all, of Ireland's faith and pride. May God bless us with happiness and may love and faith abide.”