Seattle Irish Week 2008

The following Seattle St. Patrick's Day Irish Week 2008 event listings are provided courtesy of The Irish Heritage Club of Seattle. The Irish Heritage Club is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious organization that organizes and promotes activities of an Irish cultural nature in the Greater Seattle area, including a series of events leading up to St. Patrick's Day.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

• 2008 IRISH SODA BREAD CONTEST, 2 PM
  The Annual Irish Soda Bread Contest will be held at T.S. McHugh's, 1st and Mercer, Seattle. No charge for entries. For more information on the prizes, rules, ingredients, recipes, etc., call 206-284-3802 or visit www.irishclub.org/sodabread.htm.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

• MATT TALBOT DINNER, 6 PM
  This is a fund-raiser for the Matt Talbot Center, Seattle's downtown program for the homeless, and is held annually at F. X. McRory's Restaurant near Qwest Field. For information on the programs of Seattle's Matt Talbot Center, visit www.matttalbotcenter.org, or call 206-256-9865. To make a reservation for the dinner, email Talbot@irishclub.org.

Friday March 14, 2008

• PROCLAMATION LUNCH, F. X. McRORY'S, NOON
  Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and other dignitaries will issue proclamations of Irish Week 2008. Among the special guests will be EU Ambassador and former Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) John Bruton, Mayor Tom Costello from Seattle's Sister-City of Galway, Parade Honorary Grand Marshal Joe Martin, Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin, and other dignitaries. Advance reservations are required. For tickets and information, call 206-361-1713 or email JaneS@irishclub.org.
  
  
• GREEN STRIPE LAYING ON 4TH AVE, 7 PM
  This is a mini-Parade to mark the route of the St. Patrick's Day Parade down the center of 4th Ave, starting from Jefferson St at 7 PM. A large crowd participates by riding the flat-bed Truck and children are welcome. No admission. For more information, call 425-290-7839, email IrishWeek@irishclub.org, or visit Green Stripe Laying.

Saturday March 15, 2008

• ST. PATRICK'S DAY MASS FOR PEACE,
  PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 6th and University, Seattle.
  There is a tremendous symbolism in this annual gathering of Catholics and others on St. Patrick's Day in a Protestant Church, for a Catholic Mass for Peace in Ireland. Main celebrant is Seattle's Catholic Archbishop Alex J. Brunett and Guest Speaker is EU Ambassador and formore Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) John Bruton. For information, see www.irishclub.org/mass.htm, call 425-290-7839 or email Mass@irishclub.org.
  
  
• IRISH FLAG-RAISING, 12:20 PM
  The Parade Grand Marshals and other dignitaries joined the Mayor of Seattle in raising the Irish Tricolor in front of the King-County Administration Building, followed by the playing of the Irish and US National Anthems.
  
  
• ST PATRICK'S DAY PARADE, ON 4TH AVE, 12:30 PM
  At 12:30 PM, the St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal and the Honorary Parade Grand Marshals lead Seattle's 37th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade up 4th Avenue. The Parade travels north from Jefferson, and after passing the reviewing stand at Westlake, goes via the Monorail to the Seattle Center for closing ceremonies in Center House at 2:00 PM. For more information, call 425-290-7839 or email IrishWeek@irishclub.org.
  
  
• IRISH WEEK FESTIVAL, SEATTLE CENTER, 12 PM to 6 PM
  The weekend Festival continues at Noon on Sunday at the Seattle Center in Center House, with booths selling Irish and Celtic products, Irish food and libations, Irish music, singing, dancing, an Irish Film Festival, workshops, lectures, cultural displays, children's contests and activities, etc. For more detailed information, call 206-223-3608 or email IrishWeek@irishclub.org.
  
  
• FRIENDS OF ST PATRICK BANQUET, SEATTLE, 7 PM
  A Black-tie Optional dinner and dance, the 67th Annual Dinner of the Society of the Friends of St. Patrick, will be held at Salty's, on Alki Beach in West Seattle. The Friends are an institution in Seattle
  since 1941. For more information, call 425-290-7839 or email Friends@irishclub.org.
  
  
• EVERETT'S IRISH CABARET, 7:30 PM,
  Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave (at Hewitt), downtown Everett. This is an old-fashioned Irish Variety Show with Irish humor, music, singing, and Irish dancing, all MC'd by Seanchai (storyteller) and singer David McCourt. For more information, call 425-252-8807.

Sunday March 16, 2008

• ST PATRICK'S DAY DASH, 9 AM
  A nearly four-mile run downhill from T S McHugh's near the Space Needle to F. X. McRory's near Safeco Field! Over 15,000 runners participated in 2007, the largest field ever in the race's history. There is no race-day registration. For more information and to register, visit www.stpatsdash.com.
  
  
• IRISH WEEK FESTIVAL, SEATTLE CENTER, 12 PM to 6 PM
  The weekend Festival continues at Noon on Sunday at the Seattle Center in Center House, with booths selling Irish and Celtic products, Irish food and libations, Irish music, singing, dancing, an Irish Film Festival, workshops, lectures, cultural displays, children's contests and activities, etc. For more detailed information, call 206-223-3608 or email IrishWeek@irishclub.org.

Monday March 17, 2008
ST. PATRICK'S DAY

• IRISH WEEK FESTIVAL, SEATTLE CENTER, 12 PM to 4 PM
  This special St. Patrick's Day Celebration starts at Noon at the Seattle Center in Center House, with Irish music, singing, dancing, cultural displays, and more. For more detailed information, call 206-223-3608 or email IrishWeek@irishclub.org.