Columnist Joe Delaney: Vivid memories of St. Pat’s Days past

Joe Delaney

Friday, March 12, 1999 | 10:37 a.m.

St. Patrick's Day in Ireland has become a weeklong celebration with festive activities, music, concerts, dances and parades in most cities and towns of any size. ... This is comparatively recent. ... In 1962, the observance was mostly religious. ... Only Dublin had a parade, and it was quite brief, primarily industrial. ... Pubs were closed, no exceptions.

By law, an Irish hotel or place of lodging had to provide a guest with food and drink 24 hours a day, except on St. Patrick's Day. ... The late Seamus Kelly, esteemed columnist and critic for the Irish Times, had reminded me several times to stock up before 11 p.m. on the 16th.

Even back then, I was forgetful. ... Kelly called the next morning. ... Did I pick up the Paddy's Irish Whiskey? ... When I replied in the negative, our friendship was sorely tested for the moment. ... Dr. Michael Scott, Ireland's foremost architect, also came up dry.

The solution

Weather-wise, it was dark, dank, bitter cold and a stiff wind; a forecast as bleak as our prospects for a jar or two that day. ... Kelly came up with two possibilities: The Dog Show in the Royal Dublin Society Hall or the race course at Baldoyle, a few miles north of Dublin, unprotected open land on the very edge of the Irish Sea.

The vote was unanimous: on to the race course. ... Six races, no winners, which was of less concern as the day went on. ... Kelly, Scott and Delaney had a memorable day. ... Seamus, Michael and Baldoyle are all history; the Dog Show continues, but drinks are now everywhere.

During my 40 visits to Ireland in the past 42 years, I have driven in all of the 26 counties of free Ireland and six that are still part of Northern Ireland. ... I pray for the day when Ireland is a nation once again, 32 counties, one Ireland, united in peace.

Heaney meets Boyer

Ireland's foremost poet, Seamus Heaney, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995. ... Born in Belfast in 1939, he has lived in Dublin since 1976. ... In a newspaper interview just after receiving the Nobel Prize, Heaney said that one of his fondest memories as a young man in the 1960s was dancing to the music of Brendan Boyer and the Royal Irish Show Band.

Heaney recently spoke and read some of his poetry before a capacity crowd at UNLV. ... One of the memories of Las Vegas that he took back with him to Dublin was meeting Brendan Boyer for the first time. ... Boyer and the Royal Irish Show Band open tonight at the Maxim for a six-day stand, which will take them through St. Patrick's Day.

Boyer, et al, will also perform for the Sons and Daughters of Erin Dinner Dance at the Maxim on Saturday, appear in the parade on Wednesday, and then play for the block party at the Maxim that afternoon.

The parade

The 33rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will start at 10 a.m. at Fourth Street and Coolidge Avenue, proceed north on Fourth to Ogden Avenue, disband, and head for the block party at the Maxim. ... In the past 26 years, I've only missed being St. Patrick in the parade one time, in 1996, when I was unable to get back from Switzerland in time.

Publican Tom Lally will portray St. Patrick in this year's parade, a very imposing figure. ... It has been a long run for me and great fun. ... May Tom have an equally long and happy tenure.

Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Arizona Charlie's ballroom, the entire cast of Doyle's Irish Cabaret, direct from Dublin's Burlington Hotel, will perform. ... Comedian Noel V. Ginnitty is Ireland's new Hal Roach, very funny. ... There is a cast of 22 singers and dancers, backed by Celtic Force, composed of some of Erin's finest musicians, plus the "All-Ireland" award-winning Mae Crean dancers.

Friday addenda

Bishop Gorman High School's "Oklahoma" closes with a performance Saturday 7:30 p.m., Flamingo Library Theatre. ... "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas" closes Sunday, Summerlin Library Theatre. ... "Fences" opens tonight at 8, CCSN Black Box Theatre. ... Jazz fans will enjoy the Nevada Jazz Orchestra, featuring composer-arranger Neil Slater, 2 p.m. Sunday in the Winchester Community Theatre.

Cannot see the Evander Holyfield-Lennox Lewis heavyweight championship fight going the distance Saturday night. ... Both warriors may hit the canvas before it's over. ... See you next Thursday.