Celebrate St. Patrick's Day on the beach
BY B.J. DAVIS Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

Submitted Photo From left to right: Seamus Hunt, John Glas as St. Patrick and Gary Humphrey celebrate the Irish holiday at Paddy O' Leary's on Irish Pub on Pensacola Beach.

The green beer and good times will be plentiful at Paddy O'Leary's Irish Pub this St. Patrick's Day, along with great music and traditional Irish fare.

This March 17, the owners of Paddy's (as the locals loving refer to it), Gary Humphrey and Seamus Hunt, invite all Irish and "Irish-for-the-day" to enjoy the establishment's favorite holiday. Mass begins at 9 a.m. with the Reverend Monsignor Luke Hunt presiding. As the final blessings are made, the fun will promptly begin.

"We've got a great music line-up starting at noon," said Humphrey. He said the music includes Dublin Green, an Irish favorite. Duel Christian will be delighting the crowds during the debauchery as well as an appearance by Dennis Parkin. And to make sure the true spirit of Irish music fills the air, Paddy O'Leary's Irish Session Players (who can be found at Paddy's every Thursday night) will be on hand with your favorite Celtic tunes. Of course, no St. Patrick's Day is complete without the sounds of the Santa Rosa Pipe Band Association.

Above, Jay Donoway will participate in this year's festivities of the re-enactment of "Finnegan's Wake."

Don't think Paddy's dynamic duo has forgotten about a hearty meal to enjoy during the festivities. Genuine corned beef and cabbage with potatoes is on the menu, sure to please any size leprechaun. Naturally, there will be plenty of Guinness and green beer along with other libations to wash down this Irish feast.

Two traditions are never overlooked during the St. Patrick's Day events. Making his yearly trek to Paddy's is local legend John "St. Patrick" Glas himself. Glas and his leprechauns have been enamoring holiday crowds since Paddy's opened its doors seven years ago.

"We can't forget about Finnegan's Wake," said Hunt. The time-honored tradition will be played out by Paddy's "family" member Jay Donaway at 2 p.m. Also, to commemorate the occasion, purchase one of Paddy O'Leary's 2007 St. Patrick's Day shirts for the special price of $10 each that day only or a Paddy O'Leary's dog tag for $2.

Why spend your St. Patrick's Day at Paddy O'Leary's?

"It's the only real Irish pub in the area," said Hunt. He said that after Hurricane Ivan heavily damaged the pub in 2004, Humphrey and Hunt put their heads together to make Paddy's reopen with authentic Irish style.

Paddy O'Leary's Irish Pub is located at 49 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach, FL. For more information about the pub or St. Patrick's Day festivities, call (850) 916-9808 or visit w w w . p a d d y olearysirishpub.com.
                                Paddy O'Leary's
                                              Irish Pub
49 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
                                              916-9808
  www. paddyolearysirishpub.com.