Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Dallas

In a city more famous for rodeo wranglers and fictional oil executives (remember J.R.?), Dallas, Texas seems an unlikely place to properly celebrate St. Patrick's Day. However, it takes more than green beer and shamrocks to entertain these loyal cowboys. In the state where bigger is better, St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Dallas are no exception. Want to celebrate St. Pattie's Texas style? Plan on clearing your calendar through March, as festivities last through the entire month.

March 3-5, 2006
The North Texas Irish Festival is the perfect place to set the tone for your St. Patrick's Day celebrations. As the largest Irish musical event in the southwest (over 75,000 people attend), the North Texas Irish Festival features traditional Irish musicians, dancers, and vendors.

This year, the theme of the festival is "Heirs of Erin." Some of the featured acts will be: Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, The Makem Brothers, Robbie O'Connell, and John Williams.

Rates for the event are as follows:
• Friday Night $10
• Saturday or Sunday $15
• 3 Day Pass $30
• Children 11 and under Free

March 11, 2006
Revelers who enjoy a more quirky parade will certainly appreciate the Greenville Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade. With 1500 participants, the parade-which begins near Blackwell at 10 a.m.-boasts celebrity judges (yet to be announced) and silly awards. "Least Likely to Finish" to "The Toilet Bowl Award" are among 17 awards handed out at the post party and award ceremony directly after the parade on Yales Boulevard. Official festivities don't end until 6 p.m., so plan on staying a while. After that, you can continue your St. Patrick's Day celebration into the wee hours at Jack's Pub.

March 12, 2006
The "official" St. Patrick's Day Parade of Dallas features all of the traditional parade fare-from waving beauty queens to marching bands. Viewers line up from the arts district to the downtown area to catch a glimpse of this mobile celebration. Starting time this year is 2 p.m., with festivities to follow at the Shamrock Festival. St. Patrick's Day Celebrations run through 7 p.m., and feature bands, dancers, and play areas for the children. The festival is free, but be sure to bring money for the wide assortment of beer and food sold.

March 17, 2006
Now that the official revelry is over, it's time to hit local Irish pubs for their own unique St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Dallas may be cowboy country, but its selection of Irish pubs ensure that you have the "luck of the Irish" finding an appropriate spot to celebrate everything green. Below are two local favorites that frequently host Irish performers and will without doubt provide an entertaining St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Tipperary Inn
5815 Live Oak St, Dallas
With traditional Irish fare-such as the Ploughman's Lunch-Tipperary Inn prides itself on remaining faithful to its Irish roots. St. Patrick's Day is no exception, and Tipperary's website promises "non-stop celebration" in observance of the special day. Their Guiness Queso and tortilla chips appetizer offers a Texas twist on a familiar beer, while traditional Celtic music acts root the pub firmly in Irish tradition.

Trinity Hall
5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas
If authentic Irish ambiance is what you want, Trinity Hall has it. The only full-service Irish pub in Dallas, Trinity Hall features a 32 foot mahogany bar-along with an interior almost completely built in Ireland. Live Irish music is a staple Thursday through Sunday, as is lamb stew and a full assortment of Irish whiskey and beer. What better way to properly celebrate St. Patrick's Day than in a "proper" Irish pub?

As you can see, finding a venue in which to embrace all things green is no difficult task in Dallas. From music festivals to fairs to traditional pubs, celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Dallas will leave you wanting more-and coming back to get it. Just don't forget your cowboy hat…