St. Patrick’s Day at The Hare & Hound: A Celebration of Music, Merriment, and a Bit of Mischief
If you’ve ever spent St. Patrick’s Day in Cowesport, you know that no one does it quite like The Hare & Hound Pub. Every year, the O’Shea family throws open the doors, lines the bar with pints of stout, and welcomes in half the town for a night of music, storytelling, and—inevitably—a few shenanigans.
This year, Bridget O’Shea has outdone herself (as she’ll be the first to tell you). The festivities kick off in the afternoon and will last well into the wee hours, so if you plan on keeping up, pace yourself accordingly. Here’s what’s in store:
🍀 The Lineup of Festivities
🎻 Live Music (And the Return of Finn O’Shea)
At 3:00 PM sharp, the pub’s backroom transforms into a lively music session, featuring fiddles, bodhráns, and the occasional tin whistle. As always, local musicians will lead the way—but anyone who can hold a tune (or thinks they can after a few drinks) is welcome to join.
And yes, you heard correctly—Finn O’Shea is making a rare public appearance behind the bar and with his guitar. Whether this means he’s on his best behavior or planning something reckless remains to be seen.
🍺 St. Patrick’s Day Specials
Declan O’Shea has been tinkering with the menu, and this year’s specials include:
✔ Guinness-braised lamb stew
✔ Colcannon with crispy bacon
✔ Traditional soda bread (no raisins, because we’ve learned our lesson)
✔ Bridget’s “Secret Recipe” Irish Coffee—which, judging by last year’s results, may be too strong for its own good.
And, of course, pints of the black stuff will be flowing all night long.
The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Toast & Storytelling
At 8:00 PM, Bridget takes the stage (or rather, the hearth by the fireplace), raises her glass, and delivers the annual toast, honoring Cowesport’s history, its people, and the fine art of finding joy in the little things.
Then, the storytelling begins. Expect tales of mischievous fairies, lost gold, and the kind of local lore that only gets better with age (and embellishment).
A Whisper of Mystery?
Some say strange things tend to happen at The Hare & Hound on St. Patrick’s Day—lost items turning up in odd places, a shadowy figure glimpsed in the corner, and doors that creak open on their own. Superstition? Perhaps. But if you find yourself with an eerie feeling during the festivities, just raise your glass and toast the unseen.
After all, in Cowesport, you never know who—or what—might be listening.
Join the Celebration!
So, whether you’re looking for a lively tune, a strong pint, or just a bit of mischief, there’s only one place to be this St. Patrick’s Day: The Hare & Hound.
☘️ Wear green, bring a hearty appetite, and prepare for a night to remember.
See you at the pub, and may the luck of the Irish be with you! 🍻