Irish pubs and clubs serve up traditional grub for St. Patrick’s Day
By Mike Hamson
Special Correspondent Published: March 2, 2016
TBO.com
Where will you and the family be on St. Patrick’s Day?
Whether enjoying Irish pub grub at one of several Irish sports bars or dining on corned beef and cabbage at home, people in the Brandon area celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with family and friends.
Hector Pescio, one of the managing partners for O’Brien’s Irish Pub, 701 W. Lumsden Road, said the restaurant has its largest lineup of bands and entertainment for this St. Patrick’s Day since opening 15 years ago.
Pescio said the fun begins March 5 with a kilt party featuring the New World Celts.
“Wear your kilts and cheer on Conor McGregor as he defends his UFC Title,” Pescio said.
He said the St. Patrick’s Day events continue March 13 from 3 to 7 p.m. with “St. Puppy’s Day,” which benefits the Second Chance Boxer Rescue and Four Lucky Dogs Pet Rescue.
He encourages families to bring their puppies and compete for best dressed female/male pet, best owner/pet look alike, best of show. Event includes live music, vendors, and pet adoptions.
On March 17, O’Brien’s hosts what they call “The Biggest Bash in Tampa” from noon until 3 a.m. Entertainment includes The Bawdy Boys, Soul Circus Cowboys, The Black Honkeys, Johnny Feel Better, DJ Grimey, DJ Drtybird and Tampa Bay Bag Pipe and Drum.
George Fredrickson, a regular at O’Brien’s, said there is a reason he spends his St. Patrick’s Day at the Irish pub.
“I enjoy coming to O’Brien’s.” he said. “I will be here for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a special time. One of the things that is really good about St. Patrick’s Day at O’Brien’s is it’s a lot of people having a lot of fun without having incidents of people getting out of line. It’s just people having a good time.”
Irish pubs in the Brandon area draw residents from throughout Hillsborough County.
Paddy Cooney of Sun City Center, the president of The Irish Connection, said his group often travels to Brandon for their “pub night out.”
This year, they will gather for their annual St. Patrick’s Day a day early in Sun City Center since they had trouble booking their regular room in Sun City Center due to the community’s FunFest event happening the same week. Their St. Paddy’s Day party for members and guests is March 16 at 5:30 p.m.
The group also sponsors Irish movie night and other social events.
“I was born in Ireland and came here on vacation and bought a home 8 years ago,” Cooney said.
He said his favorite memories growing up in Ireland include watching the finals for the national sport of Hurling, which happens to be one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Played on a large pitch, hurling is similar to shinty and hockey.
Cooney said the things he loves most about St. Patrick’s Day is relaxing with a few pints of Guinness beer.
“Corn beef and cabbage is the traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal,” he said. “You find it in all the supermarkets a few days before. Then we have Irish soda bread with that.”
Many of the Irish pubs and restaurants throughout the Brandon area serve corn beef and cabbage and other traditional grub in March.
For more information on O’Brien’s, call (813) 661-9688.
Special Correspondent Published: March 2, 2016
TBO.com
Where will you and the family be on St. Patrick’s Day?
Whether enjoying Irish pub grub at one of several Irish sports bars or dining on corned beef and cabbage at home, people in the Brandon area celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with family and friends.
Hector Pescio, one of the managing partners for O’Brien’s Irish Pub, 701 W. Lumsden Road, said the restaurant has its largest lineup of bands and entertainment for this St. Patrick’s Day since opening 15 years ago.
Pescio said the fun begins March 5 with a kilt party featuring the New World Celts.
“Wear your kilts and cheer on Conor McGregor as he defends his UFC Title,” Pescio said.
He said the St. Patrick’s Day events continue March 13 from 3 to 7 p.m. with “St. Puppy’s Day,” which benefits the Second Chance Boxer Rescue and Four Lucky Dogs Pet Rescue.
He encourages families to bring their puppies and compete for best dressed female/male pet, best owner/pet look alike, best of show. Event includes live music, vendors, and pet adoptions.
On March 17, O’Brien’s hosts what they call “The Biggest Bash in Tampa” from noon until 3 a.m. Entertainment includes The Bawdy Boys, Soul Circus Cowboys, The Black Honkeys, Johnny Feel Better, DJ Grimey, DJ Drtybird and Tampa Bay Bag Pipe and Drum.
George Fredrickson, a regular at O’Brien’s, said there is a reason he spends his St. Patrick’s Day at the Irish pub.
“I enjoy coming to O’Brien’s.” he said. “I will be here for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a special time. One of the things that is really good about St. Patrick’s Day at O’Brien’s is it’s a lot of people having a lot of fun without having incidents of people getting out of line. It’s just people having a good time.”
Irish pubs in the Brandon area draw residents from throughout Hillsborough County.
Paddy Cooney of Sun City Center, the president of The Irish Connection, said his group often travels to Brandon for their “pub night out.”
This year, they will gather for their annual St. Patrick’s Day a day early in Sun City Center since they had trouble booking their regular room in Sun City Center due to the community’s FunFest event happening the same week. Their St. Paddy’s Day party for members and guests is March 16 at 5:30 p.m.
The group also sponsors Irish movie night and other social events.
“I was born in Ireland and came here on vacation and bought a home 8 years ago,” Cooney said.
He said his favorite memories growing up in Ireland include watching the finals for the national sport of Hurling, which happens to be one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Played on a large pitch, hurling is similar to shinty and hockey.
Cooney said the things he loves most about St. Patrick’s Day is relaxing with a few pints of Guinness beer.
“Corn beef and cabbage is the traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal,” he said. “You find it in all the supermarkets a few days before. Then we have Irish soda bread with that.”
Many of the Irish pubs and restaurants throughout the Brandon area serve corn beef and cabbage and other traditional grub in March.
For more information on O’Brien’s, call (813) 661-9688.
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