TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pinellas News

Palm Harbor, Dunedin To Roll Out Green Carpet

ADVERTISEMENT

By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: March 7, 2009

PALM HARBOR - Revelers in Palm Harbor and Dunedin will have opportunities to pay homage to Ireland's Patron St. Patrick at three outdoor music and food festivals, starting next weekend.

In downtown Palm Harbor, Peggy O'Neill's Irish Pub kicks off festivities with two days of fun, food and live music at its fourth St Patrick's Day Party.

The street festival, to be held on Florida Avenue at 11th Street, will begin at noon Saturday, March 14, three days before St. Patrick's Day, with a day and evening of musical concerts.

The festival at Peggy O'Neill's will feature top bands from the Emerald Isle as well as Canada, traditional Irish dishes, spirited libation and mischievous fun of which the leprechauns would be proud.

The Palm Harbor street festival is co-sponsored by the Florida Gulf Coast Golden Retriever Club and Thirsty Marlin Restaurant, the eatery across the street on Florida Avenue.

Florida Avenue will be closed to traffic March 14 between 11th Street and Alt. 19.

Entertainment on stage outside the eatery includes:

•Noon to 4 p.m. - Guinness the Duo, a favorite band from Prince Edward Island, Canada.

•4 - 8 p.m. - JoDell and the Mountain Road Band

•8 - 11 p.m. - The Greg Billings Band;

Live music is also planned inside Peggy's Irish Pub

Peter Robinson, a singer from Belfast, Northern Ireland, will perform his special blend of Irish music 4 - 8 p.m.

From 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. the Bacardi Boys, City of Dunedin Pipe Band and Irish Step Dancers are scheduled to perform.

The revelry takes place all over again on St.Patrick's Day, March 17, with a party inside and on the sidewalk outside the pub.

Entertainment will include:

•1 - 5 p.m. J.J. Smith.

•5 p.m. Irish Step Dancers from McGinley Academy of Irish Dance.

•9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Bacardi Boys.

Down the road on March 17, Cricketers British Pub and Restaurant will presents a rock 'n' roll St. Patrick's festival under a big tent at the Causeway Shopping Plaza, on Alt. 19 at Curlew Road.

Shifty Eyed Dog is scheduled to perform 4 - 8 p.m., with Full Fledged Unit following from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Plenty of Irish food and drinks will be available both inside the pub and under a big tent outside.

Thousands are expected in downtown Dunedin, along Main Street, for Flanagan's Irish Pub's traditional St. Patrick's Day Party from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Tuesday, March17.

Over the years, this event has grown in size to attract thousands of revelers, many bedecked in colorful St. Patrick's Day costumes.

The pub's owner, Noel Cooney, a singer of traditional Irish ballads, and Jeff Glover are scheduled to perform.

Main Street in Dunedin will be closed to motor vehicles during the event.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT