Well, it’s rolling around again- another St. Paddy’s Day celebration coming up. Although my ancestors were primarily Norwegian and German, I really love Irish music and dancing. And definitely enjoy some of the traditional Irish foods. Fortunately, some authentic Irish food is served here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. When I was a girl, about 100 years ago, my parents sometimes watched the Lawrence Welk show on Saturday evenings. I would never have admitted it to my friends, it would have been soooo not cool, but I loved his Irish tenor, Joe Feeny, who would often sing beautiful Irish songs. Joe could really hit those high notes ! My favorite was his rendition of “Danny Boy“, which I hoped might find on YouTube, but no such luck. So I’ll have to settle for Feeny’s performance of Galway Bay as my official 2012 St. Patrick’s Day song.
Now that the music has been designated, time to decide where to enjoy an authentic Irish dinner. Fortunately, Virginia’s Eastern Shore has at least four excellent restaurant choices that I know of, scattered geographically from Cape Charles VA to Onancock, VA to partake of foods traditional to the Emerald Isle.
Cape Charles:
Kelly’s Gingernut Pub located at 133 Mason Avenue in the heart of the Cape Charles historic area. Call for reservations at 757-331-3222. As one may have guessed, the Kellys are Irish and there’s a big shebang every March 17th– big ! Irish music will be played all day long and there will be a live band starting about 9pm on the night. Kelly’s will be serving among other traditional dishes, corned beef and cabbage, Sheppard’s Pie as well as Bangers and Mash with their delicious gravy. Guinness of course, plus Kelly’s also serves a very tasty Irish coffee, the secret of which is to not stir after the heavy cream has been added. SLA’INTE’ www.kellysgingernutpub.com
Nassawadox:
Machipongo Clam Shack– Located at 6468 Lankford Hwy., Nassawadox, VA . Call 757-442-3800 for reservations. Even though the name doesn’t sound too Irish let’s not forget that the Irish have a lot of coastline and traditionally eat a lot of seafood- i.e., cockles and mussels, alive, alive-O. And Machipongo Clam Shack’s chef has a tradition of preparing traditional ethnic food for various holidays. Definitely corned beef and cabbage will be on their menu and live music will be on their stage from 6-8pm on St. Patrick’s Day. SLA’INTE’ AGUS TA’INTE’ ! www.thegreatmachipongoclamshack.com
Belle Haven:
The ESO Art’s Center in Belle Haven is sponsoring ” A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration”. Located at 15293 King Street, Belle Haven. Call for reservations 757-442-3226. A traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner will be served starting at 6pm. Starting at 7:30 pm, the Celtic Band, the Leigheas, will be playing live Irish music. www.esoartscenter.org Should be loads of fun for all ages ! GO N-EIRI AN T-ADH !
Onancock:
The Blarney Stone Pub– Located at 10 North Street, Onancock. Reservations at 757-302-0300. Blarney Stone is a traditional Irish Pub and never more so than on St. Paddy’s Day. Try a O’Caseydilla, a Great McGruff sandwich, an Emerald Isle salad, a Pot O’ Gold starter, or maybe a Mick Burger or the Irish Fisherman dinner. Definitely Bangers and Mash and Sheppard’s Pie on tap for St. Paddy’s Day. CEAD MILE FA’ILTE www.blarneystonepubonancock.com
(Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo, VA)