Google “St. Patrick” or “St. Patrick’s Day Festival” and Maher’s Irish Pub in Lake Oswego shows up on the first page. Need I say more? Maher’s is the place to be to celebrate this Irish holiday, starting this Friday, March 14, and continuing through Monday, March 17.

Here are a few Irish traditions you’ll find alive and well even though we’re 4,661 miles from Dublin, Ireland.

♣Celtic Music. There’s no mistaking the upbeat sound of guitars, banjos, whistles, flutes, fiddles and accordions for Celtic music. And don’t forget the clapping—that’s where you come in. Join in with the likes of Phelim Egan, and pub favorite, Bill Mullen. Did I mention the bagpipes?

♣Irish Dancing. It’s hard to listen to the music and not want to get up and dance. You can do that, but you also get the chance to watch Irish dancers break out the reels, the hornpipes and jigs. Their high stepping, ringlet-whipping performances are sure to get your Irish eyes a’smilin’.

♣Drinking. There’s an Irish saying that goes, “In heaven there is no beer…That’s why we drink ours here.” Maher’s aims to oblige by offering several brews including their own Feckin’ beer. If whiskey is more to your liking, The St. Paddy’s Eve Party on Sunday night, March 16, includes five tastings of the finest Jameson whiskey included in your $15 reservation.

♣Family fun. The Irish consider the laughing of children to be a blessing so consider yourself blessed if you show up between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Family Day, Sunday, March 16. There will be plenty to keep the little ones entertained, and yes, laughing, from crafts and games to Irish wolfhounds and face painting.

♣Irish food. Get your fill of traditional Irish fare from a menu that includes shepherd’s pie, corned beef, lamb stew, bangers and Bailey’s Chocolate Cheese Cake.

Check out the full schedule of events on the Maher’s Pub website.

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Photo Credit: gubgib at freedigitalphotos.net