Celebrate St. Pat’s all day long

Alex Coolman

It was the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw who declared that he had

showed his love for his homeland “the usual way: by getting out of it as

soon as I possibly could.”

But when it nears St. Patrick’s Day, even the most jaundiced Irishman or

Irishwoman must feel a twinge of pride for the old country. And such

twinges call for a celebration: a dance, a toast or perhaps a little

speechifying.

In the Newport-Mesa area, two out of the three pastimes are readily

available this evening.

Under the inspiration of wine and song -- if the example of Shaw, James

Joyce and Oscar Wilde are any example -- words should flow readily to the

proper Irish tongue.

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If you read this early enough in the day, there might be time to scramble

over to Dirty Nelly’s (2633 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, (714)

957-1951), which is putting on a special breakfast to mark the holiday.

For $7.95, you may buy a plate full of eggs, bacon and bangers.

Yes, the meal also includes blood sausage.

And yes, it includes a pint of beer.

Later on in the night, Dirty Nellies will have Irish karaoke and music of

the Erin isle played by a disk jockey. There is a $5 cover charge.

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The Harp (130 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, (949) 646-8855) is also dishing up

a breakfast, this menu featuring Irish sausages, black and white pudding,

hash browns and eggs.

As the day wears on, itinerant dancers and bagpipers are expected to

stroll in, and The McGrath brothers are slated to play from 2 to 6 p.m.

and 8 p.m. to midnight. The Harp will also serve corned beef and cabbage

through the afternoon and evening. A $5 cover charge will apply after 2

p.m.

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Muldoon’s Irish Pub plans a day of music, with three bands (which, we

hope, have large repertoires) performing from 10:30 a.m. until closing at

1:30 a.m. Van Dieman will kick things off, followed by Reel Suite and

Vesica Pisces.

o7 Later in the day, there are a few more entertainment optionsf7 :

A few Belfast bombers might seem like a good idea once the sun goes down.

That’s a concoction, made from Bailey’s Irish Cream and Bushmills

whiskey, that The Shamrock Bar and Grill (2633 W. Coast Highway, Newport

Beach, (949) 631-5633) will serve up throughout the evening.

The Shamrock will have shot specials, the standard potions of green beer

plus black and tans, as well as entertainment by musicians Brian McGiddy

and Jim Rice. The kitchen will also prepare five special menu items,

including corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew. There’s no cover.

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Hard Rock Cafe (451 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, (949) 640-8844),

in Fashion Island will host the band Family Style for alternative rock

and disco. The music starts at 10 p.m., and there is a $5 cover.

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Last but not least, Club Mesa (843 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, (949)

642-8448) will host an appearance by The Stitches. Their music is punk

rock and does not involve bagpipes, but singer Michael Lohrman is indeed

three-quarters Irish and occasionally resembles a crazed leprechaun (in a

good way) as he thrashes around on stage. The show is $7.