St. Patrick's Day '04

Not content with booting all the snakes out of Ireland, St. Patrick made another notable contribution to Ireland. The venerable Welsh missionary has become synonymous with all things Irish, due to his influence in making Ireland’s saint’s day the biggest religious excuse for a piss-up ever invented. Ireland’s history is filled with drinkers and raconteurs – think Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, W.B Yeats, George Best (admittedly from the North, but imbued with true Irish grit) and the famous Irish hospitality has led to pubs becoming one of the Emerald Isle’s most famous exports, along with Guinness and U2.
This hospitality and love of drink is no more evident than on the 17th, when the world celebrates its Irishness. Kansai is of course no exception, and here we are proud to run down the best places to find a pint, a bit of fiddly music, and the mother of all hangovers.

Murphy’s

Shinsaibashi

Murphy’s has been on the go for 11 years and is the first Irish pub in Japan. At the helm is the esteemed Mick, who is presiding over the St. Patrick’s celebrations yet again. If last year was anything to go by, this year’s festivities won’t be a let down – last year the Shinsaibashi pub was so packed to the rafters that people were literally having to drink in the lift. In true Irish form, Murphy’s have deemed that a single day’s celebrations are by no means enough, and have enlarged upon the concept of a St. Patrick’s week. Drink specials and live music rub shoulders with their regular schedule. The celebrations culminate, quite naturally, on the big day itself, with the party promising to be raging right past the wee hours. See their ad for full details of promotions.

6F, Lead Bldg. 1-6-31 Higashi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: 06-6282-0677

The Blarney Stone

Umeda

New boys on the block The Blarney Stone have a chance to cut their teeth this St. Patrick’s, and are doing everything in their power to make it work. Located in Umeda, there are a record number of promotions on offer this St. Patrick’s day, and the party promises to be loud and strong, with plenty of live musical accompaniment. Green beer will, of course, be flowing, and as the space is large, there promises to be a lively crowd. There will be live music every night except Monday. Prizes on the night include a four-day jaunt to Saipan, courtesy of No. 1 Travel. For those interested in a small measure of notoriety, they will also be starting their ‘100 pint club’ — a chance to have your name immortalized on their wall. Contact the bar for more details.

6F Sonezaki Centre Bldg, 2-10-15 Sonezaki, Kita-ku, Osaka
Tel: 06-6364-2001

Ryan’s PUB

Sannomiya

Kobe’s Irish institution Ryan’s is the place to be in the Port City this St. Patrick’s. On the 17th, the bar will open from 2pm 'til whenever, which will be fairly late, if past years are anything to go by. There will be ¥500 special drinks all day- Guinness, Kilkenny, Green Sapporo, Bailey's, Irish coffee and Irish Whiskey. There will be a ¥500 Irish stew special all day also. The party music will begin at 9pm with Double D and will continue late into the night with DJ Simon.

7F, Kondo Bldg. (directly north of Sannomiya Stn., besides McD's)
Tel: 078-391-6902

The Hill of Tara

Kyoto

Kyoto’s brand of Irishness is, like the city itself, a little more cultured and refined. The Hill of Tara, which opened in 2000, has been offering a little more traditional St. Patrick’s Day. Breaking with tradition, the main event will be on the 7th, with an Irish festival to be held in front of Kyoto City Hall. In addition to a speech by the Irish ambassador, there will be an Irish dance recital, along with face painting and Irish goods
on sale. The main event is an early St. Patrick’s Day parade, which wends its way down Kawaramachi Street and back up Kiyamachi.
The day itself will be celebrated at the bar, a short walk along Oike Street from City Hall. Green beer and live music will complement their extensive collection of Irish whiskey. Happy hours will be on and off throughout the night. Info for the festival and parade can be found at the bar.

Kawarmachi-higashiru, Oike-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Tel: 075-213-3330

Text & Photos: Euan Mckirdy