With another year rolling around, the anticipation of St Patrick’s Day on March 17th builds for many Irish Kiwis and other New Zealanders who look forward to the day of celebration, and, for many, a good excuse to spend the day at the pub.
In New Zealand, the Irish holiday is widely celebrated by those who live here with Irish heritage - and many who don’t. The day is well-known for its elaborate green costumes, classic Irish cuisine, plenty of stout beer on tap, and the infectious happiness that's present among the Irish community.
The North Shore is home to some great places that host events on St Patrick’s Day, and Florrie McGreal’s on Takapuna’s Hurstmere Road is a particular stand out for many. Kevin Schwass, owner of the well-known Florrie’s, discusses the excitement leading up to the day and the cheery atmosphere that people can expect.
Florrie McGreal’s, with its Irish colours on proud display over Hurstmere Road, was named after Kevin’s Irish grandmother, which makes it the only bar in the world with this name. It also gives Kevin a genuine connection to everything that St. Patrick's Day is about. The popular spot turns green for one day each year, with crowds of locals and visitors enjoying some fun - usually in the sun - with a pint of famous Irish Guinness, Murphy’s Red or Murphy’s stout beer in hand.
With St. Patrick’s Day apparently being the second most celebrated holiday around the world - after New Year’s Eve - it is well-known for being a celebration that is open to all that want to join in with the Irish commemoration and camaraderie. Florrie McGreal’s upholds this friendly attitude and they certainly encourage everyone and anyone to join the festivities that they, and neighbours The Elephant Wrestler and Master and Apprentice, will be holding again this month. Kevin says: “St. Patrick's Day is not only a celebration of the patron saint, but it’s a day for Irish people, people who think they’re Irish, and anyone who wants to have a good time, to come out and celebrate the day.”
Enthusiastic patrons can expect a buzzing atmosphere as the day, nicknamed the ‘Hurstmere Road Hooley’, unfolds. With the footpath closed off between Master and Apprentice, The Elephant Wrestler and Florrie’s, a green carpet is laid down and safety barriers are put up outside the venues. From 8am to midday, visitors can enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast. (Kevin says in earlier years they tried to dye some of the food green, but not many people were too keen to eat it.) Now, a big feed of beef and Guinness pie, black pudding, baked beans, sausages and more is available. After breakfast, the music begins and a live band is set up to play traditional Irish music - tunes that Kevin calls ‘fiddly-dees’ - with the sounds pumping from speakers that are connected throughout the strip of pubs. There is even a Highland pipe band that is scheduled to play for about 15 minutes for those who appreciate the classic sound. As the afternoon rolls around, the music becomes more contemporary for those who love a good old dose of U2 and similar tunes. “It all becomes one big hooley!” says Kevin.
The experience that Florrie’s brings to the Shore on St. Patrick’s Day is fondly appreciated by many locals. Kevin says that even previous staff members will offer their help to work on the day, because everyone enjoys the atmosphere so much. The pub also employs a lot of security for the occasion so that any mishaps can be avoided, although there have never been any problems in previous years due to the event's spirit: a true celebration of happiness. The organisation of St. Patrick’s Day for Florrie’s starts four to five months in advance, as the booking of musical acts and security needs to be done long before the day approaches to ensure the best outcome and safety on the day. Kevin also says many of the best acts will move between bars to play, so booking early is a must.
On the Shore, there are plenty of people who are looking for a place to spend this year's St. Patrick’s Day, and whether it be a relaxed Sunday afternoon drink, an Irish ballad or two, or having an excuse to dress up in crazy green costumes, the Hurstmee Road Hooley can promise a well-organised and exclusively authentic Irish feel. There is a well-mixed scene of those who are Irish and those who aren’t, as Kevin explains: “You are either Irish, or you want to be Irish!”
He calls it an absolute ‘craic’, in true Irish form, meaning there are good times to be had with like-minded people. With the expectation of enjoyable conversation, company of others, and a downright jolly aura to the day, it is an event not to be missed.
