Posts Tagged Brian Boru

Portland St. Paddy’s Week

Mar 11

Posted by Jeff Mateja in Bar, Entertainment, Events, Food, Fun, Music, Restaurants | No Comments

It’s that time again and I know you have your plans. The question is, would you rather stumble around on St. Patrick’s Day waiting for amateur hour, or would you rather have a faithful guide stumbling along beside you?

I thought so. Well, the perfect way to start off St. Paddy’s week is with proper sustenance. Why St. Paddy’s week? Well, the Irish don’t get a “history month” to celebrate, so we’re taking over a week out of March.

Kick the week off with a traditional Irish American dinner at the Irish Heritage Center put on by the Irish American Club (IrishOfMaine.org). Saturday the 13th at the Center on the corner of Gray and State Streets in Portland, the Irish American Club will be hosting, you guessed it, a corned beef and cabbage dinner.  The event starts off with Happy Hour and hot hors D’oeuvres at 4:30 followed by dinner at 6:00 with music by Box of Crackers. There will be step dancing by the Stillson School of Irish Dance and a cash bar available. Tickets are a donation of $17 for adults and $10 for children and can be picked up at Ireland’s Crystal and Craft, 558 Congress St. Portland. (773-5832) and Port Grooming and Pet Care 472 Ocean St. South Portland (767-2456). Tickets go fast, so don’t miss out!

If you move along quickly, your tour guide will lead you down to Commercial Street Sunday the 14th for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Yes, with the corned beef still playing delightfully between your teeth, you can settle along the route between the Fish Pier and State Pier for a view of the new, improved, and larger parade. The parade begins at noon and concludes at the State Pier with dignitaries, dance, and closing ceremonies.

The only bad part about a good parade is when it’s over. That’s why the Irish keep the good times moving with a ceili at RiRa from 2:30-4:30 with live music from the Portland Ceili Band. Experience is neither expected nor necessary. Just grab a pint of Guinness and join with your family to watch, dance, or just enjoy the music and craic!

St. Paddy’s morning, for those suckled by Arthur Guinness himself, a real treat awaits them at Brian Boru. Boru opens at 6:00 am for a traditional Irish breakfast and traditional music all day. Believe me, once you’ve had rashers and black pudding in the morning, you will never look at a Grand Slam the same way. Throughout the morning, people of all ages gather for this once-a-year Irish celebration. It is truly one spectacle not to be missed. Besides, what other time of the year can you justify a full pint of Guinness with breakfast?

From there, things tend to get a little hazy, as your tour winds the streets of the Old Port, visiting such standards as Ri Ra, and Bull Feeney’s. It is a day of pipe bands, live music, dancing, and good times. Be prepared to eat well, drink well, and surround yourself with thousands of your closest friends. While you’re in the spirit, stop by IrishOfMaine.org, to learn more about ceili dancing workshops, tin whistle lessons, and Irish language classes.

Slan go foil!

Douglas Mac antSaior

Slainte!

Thanks to loyal fan and contributor, Doug McIntire, for his great piece on the true St. Patrick’s Day experience. You can read more of Doug’s writing at his blog – cdmcintire.wordpress.com.

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Siano’s Pizzeria to open in Portland’s Old Port

Feb 7

Posted by Jeff Mateja in Bar, Food, Fun, Restaurants | 2 Comments

In my travels recently, I saw and have confirmed via SianosPizzeria.net that Siano’s Restaurant plans to open a third location at 505 Fore Street, Portland, in March 2010. You may remember this Old Port location was previously home to Una Winebar and Portland Pie. A trip to the site noted building permits and work being performed to transform the property. Rivalries Sports Bar and Brian Boru are already strong mainstays just steps away.

The brick oven pizzeria adds its third location to the list along with the original Siano’s located at 5 Brentwood Street, Portland, in the popular Rosemont neighborhood, and it’s 140 Main Street, Freeport location, just up the road from L.L. Bean’s flagship store. I’m interested to know whether a brick oven will adorn the new location and give that warm feel to customers like the 5 Brentwood St restaurant.

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Portland in 48 Hours Contest – And the Winner is…

Dec 23

Posted by Jeff Mateja in Uncategorized | No Comments

Doug McIntire, a freelance writer from Auburn, Maine is the winner of the “Portland in 48 Hours Contest”, where we asked you what you would do in Portland, Maine, if you only had 48 hours. There were some interesting and clever entries, and here you go with our winner;

My 48 hours in Portland would begin at Deering Oaks Park. There, I would walk among the trees; feeling the crunch of the leaves as they announce my every step. I would bring bread to feed the ducks in the pond; making sure the squawking seagulls get no more than their fare share for time spent at sea. I would wander the perimeter, taking time to glance at the chinks in the asphalt armor of the surrounding streets, revealing glimpses of the cobblestone history below.

From there I would walk to the Old Port, taking time to survey the architecture; both old and new. Here, a nearly forgotten home that had survived the great fire, now tucked between towering buildings. There, a row of shops with Deco designs; frozen in time but still at home in it’s new surroundings.

Once in the Old Port, I would allow the sights, sounds, and smells to flow through my being. I would walk down Commercial Street; smelling the Casco Bay and bathing in that cool comfort only the sea can provide. Couples would walk by in a brisk embrace; joggers, bikers, and dog walkers alike; all with a destination. Pausing by the waterfront, I would take in the beautiful antiquity of the windjammer, Baghera while lobstermen carry on the work of generations before.

Diverting from the waterfront, I would ascent to Brian Boru; it’s red walls commanding from it’s perch above Commercial. Once inside, the dark beams and low ceilings invite the traveler deeper toward the back where Irish music is lilting from tables where musicians gather every week. Pints are cleared, children sit, entranced, and locals relax with the paper as if this is simply an every day occurrence, because for them, it is.

And there, there between my first and third pint is where I would decide. My first 48 hours in Portland is when I would begin my life anew.

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