Festivities Galore in Korea on St. Patricks Day
By J.R. Breen
Contributing Writer
Today is St. Patrick's Day, and people the world over will be making merry in celebration of the traditional Irish holiday, and Seoul will be no different, with events running into the weekend.
The day officially commemorates the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, who was famed for ridding Ireland of snakes using a wooden staff and banishing them from the island forever..
The Irish Association of Korea will be holding its official St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Concert and Fair at Cheonggye Stream, downtown Seoul, Saturday.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the festival. Events will begin at noon and run until 3:45 p.m. They will include an Irish culture exhibition, folk dancing and a U2 cover-band.
At 2 p.m., the parade up and down Cheonggye Stream will begin, following the official festival opening by Irish Ambassador Eamonn Mcgee.
Founded in 1996, the Irish Association of Korea promotes Irish culture in Korea by organizing events of interest to Irish people in Korea.
Among other things, it organizes the annual St. Patrick's Day festival. In 2008, the event saw 18,000 people attend.
The association is also hosting an event in the Dublin Terrace Pub, Gangnam, called "Hooley." Two bands will be playing, including traditional Irish pub band Fee and Andrea Band. There will also be step dancers and a European buffet.
New to this year is that "N Seoul Tower," atop Mt. Namsan, will be lit up green until March 20.
Other events on St. Patrick's Day that are organized by the association are a raffle accompanied by traditional Irish music at Wolfhound Pub, Itaewon, starting at 9 p.m., and from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., the Fee and Andrea Band will perform at the base of N Seoul Tower.
Over the next four days there will be festivities taking place, hosted by various bars, pubs and restaurants as people celebrate one of the most popular holidays of the year. Below is just a small selection of what will be going on this week.
The Wolfhound
Ever popular on St. Patrick's Day, The Wolfhound will no doubt again be packed to the rafters, opening its doors today at noon for revelers who want to get an early start.
Korean award-winning band Bard will play live traditional Irish music with sets at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Green beer and green Jell-O shooters will be available as well as the staples of Guinness and Jameson.
The party will continue into the weekend with more Irish music on Friday. "Drunk" is returning to the Wolfhound this year for the third year in a row to play some favorite Paddy's Day tunes, with sets again at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
The pub will be lively again Saturday as many will make their way here following the parade to carry on into the wee hours.
Roofers Shamrocks and Shenanigans Show
Roofers Bar in Itaewon is holding its "St. Paddy's Party" Friday. The event begins at 9 p.m. and includes drinking games, live Irish bands and competitions.
The event, which will run until the early hours of the morning, will also have a midnight toast balloon drop.
There will be an accordion player and a performance by Irish band Hard Bread.
There will be drinking events and most festive outfit (face painting, costumes), fastest potato peeler and best Irish jig. Entry costs 5,000 won, unless you are Irish, then entry is free if you bring along a friend.
The event will also be filmed as part of a Roofers commercial.
St. Patrick's Day Party in Bucheon
If you are in the Bucheon area, local bar Rhythm and Booze (RnB) is hosting a St. Patrick's Day party Friday.
The party begins at 8 p.m. and will run late. There will be festive drink specials, including the "Shamrock" and "Irish Highball," plus an all you can drink offer from local beer producer KA-Brew between 9 p.m. and midnight. Their Weizen, Pilsner, Dark Ale and Alley Kat will be on offer.
Rock bands Hodge, DND and Fandeath will be performing, with the latter two also recording live CD's.
RnB is located behind the CGV in Jung-dong, Bucheon.
Double Venue St. Paddy's Party
Itaewon's Spy Club and Club Mansion in Chungdam-dong are hosting a joint St. Patrick's Day party.
The event, set for Saturday, will have free transportation between the two venues on a double-decker bus.
The party, starting at 8 p.m. and running until 6 a.m., will have live performances from bands Five at Dice and Pinnacle, and the Antidote. Also among others, DJ duo Planet B will perform.
The entry cost is 10,000 won before midnight, which includes a free Guinness and 20,000 won after midnight, which includes two free Guinness.
For more information, contact 010-2989-4393