There will be plenty of green energy on the streets and Guinness in the glass next weekend as the Penrith community gets into the Irish spirit for St Patrick’s Day.
Whether you celebrate the luck of the Irish or not, expect a big day on Saturday, March 17 with O’Donoghues Marketing and Events Manager James Crowe saying the Emu Plains pub is gearing up for their biggest St Patrick’s Day ever.
“It’s the first Saturday St Patrick’s Day in ages, so it’s going to be a bumper,” he said.
“We’re opening up the car park as well, because we will have a big marquee going in and extra bars.
“It’s off the back of a busy year for us, it’s only going to be bigger and better.
“ANZAC Day was huge last year, and New Years was huge for us too, so this is another big day for us.
“We’re literally running entertainment from 9am until midnight.”
Irish performers Shaylee Wilde and Blackwater are just some of the festive entertainment on offer at the Irish pub through the day.
“Expect Irish entertainment all day, and heaps of Guinness,” Mr Crowe said.
“It’s going to be a good atmosphere all day, it always is.
“It’s going to be very Irish. The last few years we’ve drifted away from our Irish roots in a way, so we’re kind of bringing it back for St Pats.”
This year, O’Donoghues will be open for breakfast as well, with Irish themed cocktails and even green burger buns.
While it’s usually a great place to bring the kids along, next weekend parents should treat themselves to a kid-free day and night out at the pub.
“It is a drinking day, so we’re trying to keep those two worlds separate,” Mr Crowe said.
“We’ll be doing a bar voucher giveaway for people who are the most dressed up. We will have a face painter coming as well if people want to get right into it.”
Those looking for a more family-focused St Patrick’s Day can head to the Penrith CBD where this year’s Penrith Festival will have a very green and Irish focus.
And at the Penrith Gaels Club, the Irish spirit will be strong right throughout the day with Patrick Brady kicking off the entertainment at 9am. Lenny Duff, Blackwater and Shaylee Wilde will also perform during what will be a fun-filled day celebrating anything and everything Irish.
Emily Newton is the Weekender’s police and political reporter. Emily is also the Weekender’s Senior Journalist.
