St. Pat's Celebrated at Barrington Celtic Fest

In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a somber religious holiday according to McGonigal’s Pub’s General Manager Damien Dunne.

“In America it’s almost like Mardi Gras,” Dunne said. “It’s a great country, a wonderful country.”

Dunne, who immigrated from Kilkenny, Ireland seven years ago, and pub owner Bryan McGonigal are hosting what they hope to be the first annual American-style, Barrington Celtic Festival Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m.

There was an event last year, but the pub had only been open a matter of days and there was little time to prepare. 

“We were just starting to get our footing,” McGonigal said. 

This year’s event promises to be very well planned and is presented along with the village of Barrington and other sponsors. 

“We’re putting up a large, heated tent right in front of our building because you never know what the weather’s going to be like the middle of March,” said McGonigal, who has lived in the Barrington area for 36 years.

The event will take place both in the tent and within the pub.

As is the case with the pub year round, music is a focus of the event.  “We’ll have a big stage outside so there’ll be music outside and inside,” McGonigal said.

“Irish dancers too,” added Dunne.  “And bagpipers.”

Among many other acts, McGonigal is flying Dunne’s twin brother and his band to play at the festival for the second year. 

“They’re a very traditional band and they love visiting America,” Dunne said.

The festival is hosting local Irish merchants and vendors as well. 

“The Irish American Heritage center will have a presence here and other local businesses,” McGonigal said.

The pub itself should be a major draw for the holiday when “Everybody’s Irish” as the song goes.  The atmosphere transports locals across the pond, as was the hope of  McGonigal and Dunne, who first met as business associates in Barrington. When McGonigal began to consider opening an Irish-style Pub in Barrington, he said he knew Dunne would be just the person to collaborate with. 

“An Irish pub is kind of hard to do,” Dunne said.  “At home a pub could be 300 year old and it has history. But I think we’ve pretty much succeeded.”

“Most of our furniture is from Ireland,” Dunne added.  “Its all hand made.  The seating and couches, even the little brick-a-brack, It’s all Irish.  We didn’t want to over do it though, we just wanted to make it like you walked into a Dublin pub.”

The establishment is situated in what used to be an old bank.  A long table and chairs are placed in the area that used to be the vault where an air vent stands at the ready in case the vault were somehow to be sealed once more.  Including the mezzanine level and the basement, there are four floors made to duplicate the Irish Pub experience for the American reveler.

Although Americans who claimed their Irish heritage rather than their American citizenship puzzled Dunne upon his arrival stateside, he now enjoys the pleasure people take in claiming their bit of the old sod.

“It’s so much fun watching everybody wanting to be Irish, no matter who they are,” Dunne said.  “It made me proud that somebody wants to be Irish,”

If You Go:

What: Barrington Celtic Fest

When: Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18 from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. 

Where: McGonigal’s Pub, 105 South Cook Street

Cost: There is no entry fee.