Get your Irish on!

We’re headed into March. It’s the month that comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. But it’s also the month o’ green. Everyone has a little bit of Irish in them in the Chicago Southland during March when you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy Irish culture in many ways - from music to dance to food to parades.

Among the early ethnic groups that immigrated to the Chicago area and contributed to our big melting pot were those from Ireland. Their influence can still be seen and felt today around the Chicago Southland. Get these festive events onto your calendar and get ready to celebrate!

Gleeson Irish Trio

February 28
Chicago Gaelic Park
6119 West 147th Street Oak Forest
ChicagoGaelicPark.com

This trio is one of the Midwest’s most popular Irish bands and they’ll be back by popular demand for a bit o' Irish folk music that will have you dancing and laughing. Tickets are $10 at the Gaelic Park front office or website. Doors open at 7 p.m., show begins and 7:30 p.m.

An Evening of Irish Music and Song

February 29
Moraine Valley Community College Dorothy Menker Theater
9000 West College Parkway
Palos Hills
MoraineValley.edu

The Chorale and Chamber Singers, along with their instrumentalists, continue their 22nd season with an entirely new program featuring some of the most beautiful Irish ballads ever written and performed in Gaelic. This concert by the Moraine Chorale and Chamber Singers will feature Vocalist Catherine O’Connell, Guitarist Jimmy Moore and Kathleen Keane on fiddle and penny whistle. The Chorale is a community-based choir with more than 60 members. The Chamber Singers is an ensemble featuring Moraine Valley students.

Running O’ the Green
March 1
Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center
8125 West 171st Street
Tinley Park
TinleyParkDistrict.org

Join the fun in the Running O’ the Green 8K race where there will be an award for the most creative St. Patrick’s Day attire. Kids age 10 and under can also win a medal for finding Lucky the Leprechaun. Register by 2/27.

Ireland on Parade
March 6-13
Chicago Gaelic Park
6119 West 147th Street
Oak Forest
ChicagoGaelicPark.com

Enjoy a week-long celebration of the music and song of Ireland, featuring Irish Step Dancing nightly with music provided by the Irish Musicians of Chicago.

Corned Beef & Cabbage Luncheon
March 17
Chicago Gaelic Park
6119 West 147th Street
Oak Forest
ChicagoGaelicPark.com

The Emerald Room at Chicago Gaelic Park will open for this annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition. Get your fill of corned beef and cabbage and enjoy entertainment by Joe Cullen and a show by The Cross Keys School of Irish Dancing. Tickets are $25 in advance. Doors open at noon and lunch is served at 1 p.m. Other St. Patrick’s Day happenings are no cover charge performances on stage in the Tara Room at 1 p.m. (Taylor Street Band) and 5:30 p.m. (Kara and Jerry Eadie) with an appearance by the Lavin-Cassidy School of Irish Dance and entertainment all day in the Carraig Pub.

Oak Forest Fleadh
March 7
Cicero Avenue Corridor
Oak Forest Community Center for race check-in and starting line
15501 Kilpatrick Avenue
Oak Forest
Oak-Forest.org

The Oak Forest Fleadh includes a 5K run/walk, customer appreciation parties, open street events (ride, blade & skate), a family parade and pub/restaurant open house. 5K begins at 8:30 a.m., bike ride at 10 a.m. and parade at 11 a.m.

Irish Tea
March 8
Vogt Visual Arts Center
17420 South 67th Court
Tinley Park
TinleyParkDistrict.org

Start off your morning with a spot o' tea and some Irish goodies like scones and soda bread. Then head over to the Downtown Tinley Irish Parade happening just a block away to take in the long procession of green.

Downtown Tinley Irish Parade
March 8
Along Oak Park Avenue, 183rd to 171st Street 
Tinley Park
TinleyPark.org

Show your Irish spirit at this lively southland celebration. The annual parade will step off at 1 p.m. from Central Middle School and march north on Oak Park Avenue. Grand Marshal will be Steve Dolinsky, host of the Hungry Hound series on ABC7. Immediately following the parade, there will be a performance by the Medinah Highlanders Pipe and Drum Band at Zabrocki Plaza, 17375 Oak Park Ave.

Irish Cuisine

If you want to grab a pint and get a bite of some traditional corned beef and cabbage or other tasty Irish bites this month, there are several restaurants that will be cooking it up. Even beyond month of March, you can find Irish inspired specialties at the following Chicago Southland eateries:

Ashford House Restaurant
7959 West 159th Street
Tinley Park
WinstonsMarket.net

JJ Kelley’s
2455 Bernice Road
Lansing

Carraig Irish Pub
6119 West 147th Street
Oak Forest
ChicagoGaelicPark.org

The Square Celt Ale House & Grill
39 Orland Square Drive
Orland Park
SquareCelt.com

Blarney Stone Pub
15400 South Cicero Avenue
Oak Forest
Blarney-Stone.net

Sullivan’s Irish Pub & Eatery
4660 West 147th Street
Midlothian
Sullivans147.com

Durbin’s
Locations in Burbank, Evergreen Park, Midlothian, Tinley Park, Frankfort and Palos Hills
DurbinsPizza.com

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