Everyone can have the luck of the Irish when dining at local restaurants, bars, and bakeries this St Patrick’s Day.

The holiday, which falls annually on March 17, has gained a dedicated following of supporters that include true Irishmen and Irish-for-a-day enthusiasts.

But before you go pinching people for forgetting to wear green, you may want to brush up on some St Patrick’s Day trivia:

1. St Patrick’s Day, affectionately known as St Paddy’s Day, observes of the death of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

2. Saint Patrick was born near the end of the fourth century and was actually British, not Irish.

3. Historians believe Saint Patrick was originally named Maewyn Succat at birth.

4. Green shamrocks are associated with Saint Patrick because it is believed that he used the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost).

5. The original color associated with Saint Patrick was blue, and it was only during the 1798 Irish rebellion that green became the popular color choice.

Enjoy Local

Restaurants, bars, and bakeries in Newtown are getting in the St Patrick’s Day spirit and celebrating the holiday this year by turning out festive food and drinks for all to enjoy.

Bagel Delight, 30 Church Hill Road, has the closest thing to a leprechaun’s coveted pot of gold: its highly sought-after green bagels. The specialty bagels are made fresh daily and available now through St Patrick’s Day.

Café Xpresso, 150 South Main Street, has begun serving its Irish Cream Lattes, Irish Brownie Mocha, and three signature St Paddy’s Day drinks: the White Grasshopper, the Fiery Leprechaun, and the Monkey Mocha.

Marie Schlump, owner of Café Xpresso, said, “We’ll also have Irish Soda Bread Muffins that were a big hit last year and, of course, decorated cupcakes, too.”

All drinks will be available through St Patrick’s Day, and the baked goods will be available each day (until they are sold out) or by special order.

Cover Two Sports Café, 100 Church Hill Road, will keep the drinks flowing with a large assortment of specials, starting at 4 pm on Saturday, March 16, and lasting all St Patrick’s Day. There will be discounted green Bud Light drafts, Jameson shots, Guinness, Irish car bombs, and fireballs.

The kitchen with also be serving corned beef dinner, with potatoes and cabbage, and hot corned beef on rye.

Franco’s Pizza & Pasta, 228 South Main Street, will have a special menu with Irish-themed dishes the entire week of St Patrick’s Day that has included favorites in previous years like potato and leek soup and corned beef.

Market Place in Newtown, 32 Church Hill Road, will be offering a St Patrick’s Day-inspired food and drink menu all weekend long with live music on March 17 during brunch.

McGuire’s Ale House, 130 Mount Pleasant Road, may celebrate St Patrick’s Day all year ‘round in spirit with its Irish-flair entrees and Guinness Stout on draft, but the restaurant will also have entertainment and specials going on all weekend long.

On March 15, at McGuire’s, the Camac band will be playing at 6:30 pm; on March 17, Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance will have a performance at 6:30 pm.

There will also be specials on aluminum Bud Light and Budweiser bottles, green O’ Titos, and classic St Patrick’s Day meals of corned beef and cabbage and corned beef sandwiches.

Murphy’s Pub, 71 South Main Street, will have live entertainment to keep people doing an Irish jig all weekend, starting March 15 with Dean Snellback & Friends performing at 5 pm and the Rakes at 9 pm, March 16 with The Mixx at 9 pm, and March 17 with the Keltic Kick at 4 pm.

During all three days, there will also be a St Patrick’s Day food and drink menu that will include festive meals like Chef Cristian’s Blarney Wings, Celtic Soup, chef’s special Shepherd’s Pie Soup, [Corned] Beef and Cabbage Dinner, Me Dear Ole Mother’s Shepherd’s Pie, Snookered Brad’an, Killarney Grilled Reuben, and Pot of Gold dessert.

My Place Restaurant, 8 Queen Street, will have specialty drinks like green-colored beers, and homemade Irish soda bread and corned beef and cabbage. All St Patrick’s Day options will be available Friday, March 15 through Thursday, March 21.

Newtown Pizza Palace, 65 Church Hill Road, will continue with Irish traditions and serve corned beef and cabbage for patrons on St Patrick’s Day.

Sal e Pepe, 97 South Main Street, will be supplying classic St Patrick’s Day cuisine of corned beef and cabbage as well as Irish lamb stew in honor of the holiday.

Those looking to dine at home can visit Villarina’s Pasta Shop, 20 Church Hill Road, and pick up some “Good Luck” shamrock-shaped dried pasta and the shop’s 12-pack of frozen cheese-filled ravioli shaped like the beloved St Patrick’s Day clover.

For more information about upcoming St Patrick’s Day events, check out The Newtown Bee’s community calendar online and on page A2 of the March 15, 2019 print edition.