Patrick was a gentleman, came from decent people
Built the church in Dublin town, and on it put a steeple
His father was a Gallagher, his mother was a Brady
His aunt was an O'Shaughnessy, his uncle was a Grady
The Wicklow hills are very high, and so's the Hill of Howth, sir
But there's a hill much higher still, much higher than them both, sir
On the top of this high hill St. Patrick preached his sermom
Which drove the frogs into the bogs and banished all the vermin

The alarm went off at 3:15 am, yes you read that right. I was meeting Chris and Greg for the 5:10 train from Albany to New York City. We arrived in the city and walked out to the street from Penn Station and what is the first thing I see? The US Post Office building. The one with the motto carved into it. We walked over to Times Square and then to McNeill's pub for breakfast. I started with a cup of tea to warm me up a bit but when they brought out our Irish breakfast ( eggs, bacon, potato's, sausage and beans, black pudding and toast) I ordered my first glass of Harp of the day. We finished eating and had time to kill so we went downstairs to the bar. What a great place. Two fine bartenders, one from County Caven and the other from Tipperary. We drank and sang along with the music as we met other people celebrating the day.
Around noon we started to walk the few blocks over to 5th Ave. The Parade starts on 44th street and we were lining up on W46th. Crossing 5th Ave. was a chore, the parade had already started and barriers were all over the place. We had to walk up to 47th, cross there walk through the hundreds of firemen waiting on 47th till we got to 6th Ave then back down to 46th and past the police barriers. There were many groups waiting on 46th street. I was standing with Chris when I was bumped into by some guy walking past, he doesn't say a word. No excuse me or pardon me or anything. He takes a few steps past me and turns around laughing, it's Tim Ryan from Albany. We both laugh out loud and head into Mc Ann's Bar where Tim and his friends were. Greg had walked in there to use the men's room saw the Albany Limerick jacket on a guy and started a conversation. When Tim asked if Greg knew me he said, "Yeah, he's outside"
Well we stayed there for a couple of hours till it was our time to step off. The Parade is fantastic, it just goes on and on. People lining the streets in every kind of outfit you can imagine. We marched up to the end of the Parade at 88th Street. It was now around 4:30 and we needed a place to go. Off to the Kinsale Tavern on 3rd Ave between 93rd and 94th streets. This was a great place, good food, cold beer, a dj playing all kinds of music. A few of the crazies that had too much to drink but what can you do about that. It was now after work hours so people that had spent the day working were just heading out . The only downside to the Tinsale Tavern was, and it's hard to imagine I know, but some of the people from the County Cork group started to.......dare I say it......I must. They started to dance the electric slide to a Rolling Stones song.



I just wanted to give you time to let that sink in.

Chris had been in contact with a friend all day and she was at The Blind Pig with her friends so we decided to head there. We had no idea what to expect in a bar called the Blind Pig. We took a cap the seventy or so blocks and the place was packed. The reason for the big crowd was the band Celtic Cross. What a great band. Tim and his friends changed their plans and headed to Penn Station for the 8: 20 train home. Greg, Chris and I stayed till the 10:45 train. We arrived back in Albany a little after 1 am. By the time I got home it was two o'clock, just 23 hours after I had gotten up to start the day. All in all we had a fantastic time and are planning to do it all again next year. I hope we can talk some other people into joining us, it was fun.

here are some photos from the day http://picasaweb.google.com/saratogairish/NYCStPattySDay#

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

We made it through the weekend. Sara, Sean and Mike left this morning heading back home. They came into town on Friday for the weekend festivities. We had dinner at my sisters Friday to help my mother celebrate her 90th birthday. Saturday was the Albany St. Patrick's day parade. Sean, Mike, Jack and myself, all kilted, met at the Albany Hibernian Center for a few pre parade pints. Soon it was onto the bus and off to the parade route. The weather could not have been better. Sunny, warm, unlike two years ago when the parade was postponed a week because of snow. Central Ave was lined in green clad people all the way to the end of the route. At the end of the parade we met up with Sara and Sam and a few of Sam's friends for the post parade activities. After a couple of hours in a Pearl St. bar we hailed a cap over to the Hibernians. Around eight, Jack and I headed north while the rest went to Sam's place.

Sunday we held our fifth annual Family Festival. Each year the Saratoga Hibernians try to give a sampling of Irish culture in a setting were you can bring your families. This year was a smashing success. The biggest problem we had all day was we needed to set up more tables. Now that's the kind of problem you want. We held the party at the Saratoga/Wilton Elks and I can't thank them enough for their hospitality. The Elk's had food and drink available so no one left hungry. The party is an example of many people helping out and having a good time. Here is a photo album from the day, courtesy of John Cromie http://picasaweb.google.com/saratogairish/FamilyFestival#
The entertainment for the day included The Pan Celtic session players, the Wild Irish Acres Dancers, and a trio of Pipers, well two pipers and a drummer. The day could not have been as much fun without the people that came and I thank you all. It was good to see the familiar faces and some that we haven't seen for a while. Mark your calendar for next years party it only gets better and better.
I'm resting today because tomorrow I am off to New York City to march in the Parade. I will let you know all about it. So till then have a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day.