It's been said that everyone claims to be a little Irish on St. Patrick' Day. In Louisville, considering the large percentage of Irish immigrants who have figured prominently in the city's history, this is not far from the truth. Louisville parties hardy for the day. The main event was the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 12, but the celebration started with a Pre-Parade Wearing of the Green Party at Belarmine University on March 5 and the fun will continue all until the 17th, especially in the "Irish Pub District" centered around Baxter Avenue. Come to the Highlands for days of St. Patrick's Day fun.
The Irish were among the first settlers to Louisville in 1790, and figured prominently in surveying the land and building many local edifices, including the mansion at Locust Grove, now a National Historic Landmark. Later waves of Irish immigrants brought trades people and laborers to the city. Many Irish moved from Portland to work on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and settled one mile south of downtown Louisville in the neighborhood known as Limerick - the predominant Irish neighborhood in Louisville until the early 20th century.
When the railroad moved its shop to the Highland Park area, the neighborhood population moved with it, but the new neighborhood lost its Irish character as did the city as a whole. After 1920, there was not even a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Louisville until early 70's after a renewed interest in Irish culture in the 1960's brought Louisville back to its Irish roots. Today, Louisville has the largest number of Irish bands in the U.S. except for Chicago.
St. Patrick's Day festivities center on parades and parties, with a little deference to religious observation thrown in:
March 10 - Pre-parade Blessing of the Beer Keg Tapping at the BBC Taproom on E. Main, followed by sampling newly blessed six old BBC Bourbon Barrel Stout at O'Shea's on Baxter, complete with songs, toasts, and Irish food and drink.
March 12 - Irish Breakfast at St. Louis Bertrands's O'Brian Hall from 8:30 - 11:30 am, followed by Mass at 12 noon in the historic Limerick Church.
3 pm - Bands, bagpipers, dancers, clowns, floats, vehicles, political dignitaries and many more wild parade from E. Broadway and Baxter near the Phoenix Hill Tavern to the Mid-City Mall. The parade is sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and has the theme of "Hooley in the Highlands," in honor of the 175th anniversary of the group in America. "Hooley "is the Irish word for party.)
March 13 - St. Baldrick's Head Shaving Event will raise money for cancer and offer yet another opportunity to party in Fourth Street Live..
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day Festival on Fourth Street Live! Will featured an Irish beer garden in the street, green beer, and music from local bands Jefferson Tarc Bus and Louisville Crasher
Irish pubs and restaurants like Dublin's Cellar, Flanagan's, Molly Malone's, O'Shea's, Flanagan's Ale House, and the Irish Rover are, of course, great locations to visit thought the week to soak more holiday spirit (and spirits.)
Be a little Irish for day or a week this year and celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the Highlands area of Louisville. Slainte! (slawn-chuh) To your Health!/Cheers!
My team and I at Younger Group Real Estate can show you affordable homes within your budget in The Highlands, Butchertown, St. Matthews, and other great Louisville neighborhoods. We know Louisville!
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