Many events lined up for St. Patrick's Day tomorrow
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Seamas Hunt, Father Sean Knox, Gary Humphrey and an unidentified St. Patrick enjoy festivities last year at Paddy O'Leary's Irish Pub on Pensacola Beach.

Every time March 17 comes around, people use the Irish holiday as an excuse to wear "kiss me I'm Irish" paraphernalia and drink green beer. How about actually participating in a piece of Irish tradition this year? Paddy O'Leary's on Pensacola Beach promises patrons authentic Irish entertainment with a reenactment of the time-honored Irish Folk song, "Finnegan's Wake," corned beef and cabbage, live music, a mini-St. Patrick's Day parade and Guinness draught beer. The celebration will begin at 9 a.m.

The folk song "Finnegan's Wake" has been sung by many generations of Irish pub patrons, was the inspiration for James Joyce's final novel in 1939, and describes an old Irish funeral tradition. Unlike the American wake and funeral services that take place in funeral homes, Irish tradition involves dressing the corpse in white garments and putting them on display at home. Friends and family would gather to mourn and celebrate the life of the deceased. Mourners would feast, drink and play games and the gathering resembled more of a party than a funeral.

In the ballad of "Finnegan's Wake", the protagonist Tim Finnegan dies from falling off of his ladder at work. His family and friends gather for a traditional Irish wake, and a whiskey induced fight between his mistress and his wife ensues. During the altercation, a jug of whiskey misses its intended target and splashes all over Finnegan. The party resumes at full speed as Finnegan rises, resurrected by spilled whiskey. The mock Irish wake at Paddy O' Leary's Irish Pub on Friday, March 17, is rumored to mirror the frivolity and excitement of any Irish gathering. Paddy O'Leary's owner Seamas Hunt also said live entertainment for the day will alternate between Dul Christian and the Paddy O'Leary's Irish Session Band. On Wednesday, March 15, the pub will host a coffin-building contest in the parking lot at 6 p.m. for their re-enactment of "Finnegan's Wake."

"It's a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's day at an Irish establishment, and we've been doing it for years," Hunt said. "I love going to Paddy's for St. Patrick's Day, everyone I know is there, and it's a good time," Pensacola resident Josh Timmons said.

In other Santa Rosa Island St. Patrick's Day news, the Sandshaker Lounge and Package will have entertainment including the Mighty Mudsharks from 8 p.m. until midnight and will take be apart of the famous Paddy Blake Pub Crawl that will start at Bobby D's. Paradise Bar and Grill will also be serving corned beef and cabbage and green beer. Terry Lee Poole & Friends will perform at Paradise, starting at 6 p.m. Bamboo Willie's Beachside bar will be hosting the 4th annual all green bikini contest, giving away $500 in cash and prizes. The contest begins at 3 p.m.