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Arts & Entertainment

BRIDIE McKENNA'S EDUCATING CHICAGOANS ON THE TRUE MEANINGS BEHIND POPULAR IRISH PROVERBS

HIGHWOOD, IL (MARCH 13-18, 2012) – Bridie McKenna’s, Chicago’s North Shore’s purely Irish pub & restaurant, is kicking off its St. Paddy’s Day celebrations on Tuesday, March 13th through Sunday the 18th. Bridie’s invites everyone to come and get a “Taste of Ireland”, with live Irish music, dancers, fiddler and jigger, bagpipers and Irish poetry readings all week long. Recognized for the Irish roots of its owners, and its authentic Irish atmosphere, food and libations, Bridie McKenna’s is educating Chicagoans on the true meanings behind popular Irish proverbs this St. Paddy’s day:
•    I have known many, liked not a few, loved only one, I drink to you. This is one of many Irish toasts. As the drinking tradition that made this holiday so popular, Bridie’s will of course have many libations! A brand new option is the Irish Beer Flight, which is a sampler of beer mini’s served on a paddle. True Irish hot toddy’s will also be served, which is a shot of hot Irish whiskey added to two shots of boiling water, served in a hot rocks glass with a slice of lemon, some cloves, and sugar to taste. Sláinte! 
•    May the frost never afflict your spuds. May the outside leaves of your cabbage always be free from worms. May the crow never pick your haystack, and may your donkey always be in foal. Bridie McKenna’s prides itself on serving traditional Irish food. Some authentic plates feature the likes of Shepherd’s Pie and Lamb Stew. Contrary to popular belief, corned beef and cabbage is not Irish! “In Ireland, we eat Irish bacon and cabbage,” states Nuala Kavanagh, manager at Bridie McKenna’s. “Corned beef came into play when the Irish started to immigrate to America and they could not find the real true traditional Irish bacon, so they used the inexpensive corned beef cut of meat.” Breakfast is the biggest meal of the day in Ireland. A true Irish breakfast includes ‘bangers’, or classic Irish sausage, and rashers (Irish bacon), white (pork oatmeal) and black (more well known as blood) pudding, eggs prepared to order, baked beans, fried mushrooms, and fried potatoes – all topped off with a slice of brown bread and Irish Kerrygold sweet butter. A feast for an Irish Saint! 
•    May the sound of happy music, And the lilt of Irish laughter, fill your heart with gladness, that stays forever after. This week at Bridie’s, the festivities will truly give a “Taste of Ireland”. This includes live performances of music and dancing, as well as lots of drinks and delicious food! 
With St. Paddy’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, Bridie McKenna’s will be hosting over 50 hours of around-the-clock Irish fun starting all day Friday until 3am, opening a few hours later on Saturday with Irish Breakfast from 9am-2pm, Ireland’s 11am Rugby game viewing on big screens throughout the pub, and then hosting a St. Paddy’s Day Irish Hangover Breakfast buffet and open jam starting Sunday at 9am. The breakfast buffet is $13 per person, and will include a mini bloody mary, with live music and dancing. Please book your tables in advance. 
Bridie McKenna’s will be home to some awesome authentic Irish entertainment, including the headlining band, Tim O’Shea, flying in from Ireland!

BRIDIE McKENNA’S 2012 ST. PADDY’S LINE UP

Tues, 13th     7:00pm    Irish Dancers
Wed, 14th     7:00pm    Irish Dancers
Thurs, 15th     7:00pm    Irish Dancers
Fri, 16th     7:00pm    Irish Dancers 
8:30pm    Irish Session
Sat, 17th     1:00pm    Irish Dancers
3:00pm    Bagpipers
4:00pm    Compass (mixed music)
7:00pm    Irish Dancers
8:00pm    Tim O’Shea, Pat Buckley, & Kerry
Sun, 18th    12:00pm    Irish Session with Paddy Homan, Irish Tenor, & Irish Dancers

This schedule is subject to change without notice. 

ABOUT BRIDIE MCKENNA’S
The only truly authentic Irish pub and restaurant on the North Shore, Bridie McKenna’s is owned and operated by first generation Irishmen (and women) that brought a bit of the Irish to Chicago when they opened doors in January 2008. The building was designed by an architect in Ireland in the style of a street in an Irish village, to recreate a truly Irish experience in America. The attention to Irish detail is seen and felt throughout the establishment as guests enter the Victorian Bar or dining area with its traditional Irish “Snugs,” or relax in the Country Bar that replicates rural Ireland, or the Library Room where Irish culture also shines through.

Bridie McKenna’s is open late Tuesday through Sunday, from 11:30am Monday through Friday, and a tad earlier for Irish Brunch on Saturday from 10:30am to 2:00am and Sunday from 10:30am to midnight. For more information on the menu, events, or to plan a private party, please visit http://bridiemckennas.com, or call 847.432.3311.

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