As I am sure you are all aware, St. Paddy’s Day, that Holy Day of Intoxication, is just around the corner. March 17th (a Monday this year) is of course the religious celebration of the life of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. And the unofficial start of Spring.
As tradition dictates, we will be celebrating with a sunrise sermon at 7:44am on the 17th at the Brookside Church and Tavern (also known as the pub in the party house) on the grounds of Camp McCarty. You are cordially invited to attend. As you may have guessed, this will be a non-traditional service. And yes, we are still betting on God having a sense of humor. If you don’t live in a geography that lends itself to your attendance, the sermon will also be live streamed at https://mccarty.irish
Why start so early, you may ask? Three reasons: 1) It’s St. Patrick’s Day. 2) You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning. 3) I am only an ordained minister, not God. I don’t have the ability to change when sunrise occurs. (But I do have a request in.)
Although the origin of St. Patrick’s Day is religious, this is certainly also a day of celebration. Think green. This celebration will include nourishing the body and soul (eating green eggs and ham), presenting an outward gesture in honor of Ireland (the wearin’ o’ the green) and participation in an extended communion (a.k.a. drinking green beer). The only green to avoid on such a day is the green of my grass (if parking near the house). The weather I’m sure will be excellent. Really, the weather will be excellent. I made a call.
As you know, driving on St. Patrick’s Day is silly and sacrilegious. So once again we have rented a party bus for the day. It will hold about 16 folks, so if you’d like to be one of its passengers, sign-up early, sign-up often. (We will run two initial shifts if necessary.) Cost is $25 if you’d like to participate. The bus will be going from Camp McCarty to Flannigan’s, then Dublin Pub, then Harrigan’s, then Flannigan’s, then Dublin Pub, then Harrigan’s, then Camp McCarty, then Flannigan’s, then Dublin Pub, then Harrigan’s, then Flannigan’s, then Dublin Pub, then Harrigan’s, then Camp McCarty. You get the idea. Below is a “bus schedule” so you know when pick-up and drop-off times at each location will be. Remember, wherever you find four good Irishmen, you’ll always find a fifth. (You must let me know, by either text or email, if you plan to a member of the “bus crowd”.)
The short form agenda for the day, as far as you know, is as follows:
7:44am Sunrise Sermon 8:00am Kegs & Eggs 9:30am Depart towards Flannigan’s, then Dublin Pub, then Harrigan’s (etc.) 2:00pm Mid-day detour back to Camp McCarty for the 1/2 day crowd 7:00pm Arrive back in Bellbrook
For those jumping on the bus, the bus will leave Camp McCarty at 9:30am, return for a mid-day drop-off/pick-up from 2:00pm to 2:30pm, and make a final return at 7:00pm. (Also feel free to meet us at the most convenient of our pubs to board the bus.) Otherwise, the bus will be in a continuous loop between Flannigan’s, Dublin Pub, and Harrigan’s (in that order). Times shown below are departure times:
Depart Camp McCarty at 9:30am Depart Flannigan’s at 10:10am, 11:10am, 12:10pm, 1:10pm Depart Dublin Pub at 10:20am, 11:20am, 12:20pm, 1:20pm Depart Harrigan’s at 10:45am, 11:45am, 12:45pm, 1:45pm
Arrive Camp McCarty at 2:00pm Depart Camp McCarty at 2:30pm (There will be no bar pick-up/drop-off during the 2:00pm hour)
Depart Flannigan’s at 3:10pm, 4:10pm, 5:10pm, 6:10pm (final pick-up) Depart Dublin Pub at 3:20pm, 4:20pm, 5:20pm, 6:20pm (final pick-up) Depart Harrigan’s at 3:45pm, 4:45pm, 5:45pm, 6:45pm (final pick-up)
Arrive Camp McCarty/Dinwiddies Tavern at 7:00pm
If you miss a pick-up time, you will simply have to continue drinking at the bar you are currently at for another hour. We know it’s tough, but it is St. Patrick’s Day and sometimes we just must sacrifice.
You will require a wristband for the bus (so the driver knows who we are). We have the wristbands (they have shamrocks on them). If you are not joining us for the sunrise sermon, you’ll either need to pick one up beforehand, or meet us at one of the bars.
VERY IMPORTANT:
The pick-up/drop-off points for the bars are as follows:
Flannigan’s on Stewart St. just west of the bar. Essentially, he’ll pull up on the street much like an RTA bus does.
Dublin Pub in front of the Dublin Pub on Fifth St. Please note that they won’t allow us to stay parked there, so please move quickly.
Harrigan’s across Marshall Rd. from the bar in the Urban’s/Elsa’s parking lot.
As always, the Catholic schoolgirl uniforms are expected and warmly welcomed. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dale.
Remember, God invented drinking so the Irish wouldn’t rule the world. Go in peace.
