Lets-Feast-4

The Best Irish Pubs in Raleigh – Our Opinion

Irish Food in the Triangle

There are many places to choose from to visit in North Carolina for Irish food and a great time. We all are most familiar with the Hibernian on Glenwood Avenue. Many remember there was a big fire that shut them down for a time, but when it opened back up it was better than ever. Who doesn’t love their rooftop bar? I recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and had a Bloody Mary. Did you know they also have a second location in North Raleigh on Falls of the Neuse?

Hiberian Restaurant Pub Glenwood South

O’Malley’s, also off of Glenwood, is a favorite with lots of locals. They feature lots of specials and there is outdoor seating for those great Carolina weather days.

O'Malley's pub and restaurant raleigh

Saints and Scholars off of Spring Forest Rd in Raleigh will always get an Irish mention and people enjoy the food here as well. It is not owned by a person of Irish Descent at all. It is owned by Victor Khoury who is originally from Jordan. Victor used to own Solomon’s restaurant on Six Forks Road in Raleigh. When he closed Solomon’s during a downturn, he bought Saints and Scholars as-is and took his employees with him. You would never detect he is not from Ireland in the dishes he sells. He combined his Mediterranean flair with traditional Irish food. His focus is on providing the best service possible and purchasing quality ingredients for the foods he serves right down to the sea salt. Look at all the outside seating available at Saints and Scholars in the short video clip below.

Our number one favorite Irish restaurant in the Triangle goes to Tra’Li Irish Pub and Restaurant in Brier Creek. They have two locations, another in Morrisville, but I just adore the decor and everything about the Brier Creek location. Below is a photo of one of their rooms aptly named the library. Couldn’t you see yourself holding a private event in that room?

Tra'Li Irish Pub and Restaurant in Brier Creek

The rest of the pub has a great feel as well. It is the kind of place you just want to drop out in on a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Read a book on your tablet while sipping on a hot toddy or drink bloody marys while catching up with your friends. They have two separate bars in the place, one is a bit cozier in the back room. I am not sure the reasoning for this but perhaps one day we will interview them and ask.

irish pub indoors

Why it has been selected as my favorite has less to do with the decor and more about the food. The Chef and owner Eamonn Kelly is from Ireland and he trained in Boston and New York. He blends the styles well and then sources using North Carolina foods. On my most recent visit, I had a Guinness Burger. If you want to know what that is, just look at the picture below and you will see atop my burger patty sits a thick slice of cheese made with Guinness. But this is not a burger that sits on a bun, no, this burger sat upon a bed of fresh homemade mashed potatoes with onion gravy, it is pure comfort food! The blend of the cheese, the beef, with the onion and brown gravy, and the potato just all worked so well together. I am craving this as I am writing this article.

Tra'Li guinness burger

My dining companion had corned beef and cabbage and said it too was very good.

Tra'Li corned beef and cabbage

There are many other Irish Pubs outside of Raleigh, throughout the Triangle, alas but only a wee bit of time to visit. We will mention Doherty’s in Cary, Pat Murnane’s in Wake Forest and in Durham. There is Bull McCabe’s and James Joyce Irish Pub. Maybe before Saint Patrick’s Day 2021, we will get to visit them and tell you more.

Canva - old medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle on ocean coast in northern Ireland famous place in uk

Irish Food, Fun Facts – Our Interview with the Local Ancient Order of Hibernians

As March approaches we are full of hope about spring and all of the green that we see sprouting in North Carolina, but nothing “says spring is here” more than the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day. We had the opportunity to show up at O’Malley’s Pub in North Raleigh to a private party fundraiser that was being held for the Raleigh Saint Patrick’s Day parade. The parade is on its 38th year in Raleigh.

We interviewed members of the Saint Patrick Day Parade Committee and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. One thing we learned is yes, the Irish like to have fun, eat, and drink but they also are very serious about their culture and serving the community.

The Saint Patrick’s Parade Community works all year to raise funds to hold the parade, but money is only a part of what they do. There are hours and hours of planning and organizing that go into putting on a large event. We spoke with the Director of the Committee, Dianne Enright, about the parade along with George McEvoy who serves on the committee. George let us know that they desperately need volunteers for the parade. If you or anyone you know would like to be a Marshall at the parade and help to keep the parade route safe for the participants, please visit www.raleighstpats.org. There is a link for volunteers on the site.

Watch our interview below

The Ancient Order of Hibernians are the real deal. These Catholic men protected the priests and churches during attacks in Ireland and in the United States. The early Irish and Italians were not welcomed in the early days of the United States so the AOH, United States served as a way to welcome the Irish to the US. Today they remain a tight-knit group of Christians who believe in 3 Tenets: Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity.

We first met Chris Cooke, the current North Carolina Ancient Order of Hibernian President, through mutual friends and quickly learned he walked his talk about fighting hunger in his community. His Irish folk band the Ewes Trees play locally and during various seasons they hold fundraisers for a Wilmington half-way house called The New Bern House. It is run by a wonderful woman named Sylvia from the Helping Hands Mission. The New Bern House is home for people who can not afford to pay rent and feed themselves. Chris explained that through their fundraiser they were able to provide in the month of November 50 turkeys and all the trimmings for this home to have a Thanksgiving meal.

YouTube does not allow us to replay the music due to copyright concerns, however, if you want to hear some traditional Irish folk music you can experience the Ewes Trees perform at Yacht Club Beverage House in Youngsville, NC on Sunday, March 15th or at Pat Murnane’s Irish Pub on March 17th. Come ready to clap, stomp and sing along! This is a good time kind of band!

During our interview, we learned about Irish food, the biggest topic was soda bread! It is no wonder since we met the reigning Irish Soda Bread champion for Wake County, Stephen Sullivan. We did learn some secrets about making a nicely browned Shepherd’s Pie, apparently, it is cheese. I have been playing with Shepherd’s Pie recipes and will be also be posting the ones I like the best in this March issue. Chris urges us to try other Irish food as well like the two styles of Boxty made from leftover mashed potato and shredded potato. One of the Boxty styles is like a pattie and the other a pancake that can be rolled like a crepe. Oh yum, I am thinking a potato crepe with a yummy filling is in my future! Watch for that recipe soon in our LoveofFoodNCGroup on Facebook, We would love to have you join us there

However it is that you choose to celebrate the coming of spring in March, please remember to think of others in need, volunteer in your community and have some fun!

top-view-photo-of-clover-leaves-158780

Let’s Feast – Saint Patrick’s Day

The feast of Saint Patrick is more commonly known to most people as Saint Patrick’s Day. It started in 1631 to commemorate the death of Saint Patrick. We all know the story of the famed St. Patrick, born into a Roman family, kidnapped and brought to Ireland, escaped, became a priest and returned to Ireland to convert the Druids to join the Catholic church. He was in fact quite successful in his endeavor. So much so that the church assigned him the symbol of luck, the shamrock.

Many saints have symbols that represent their lives, for example, St, Elizabeth of Hungary who gave her life to serving the poor. She is the saint of bakers and her symbol is bread. There is Honore’ the saint of pastry. Saint Ambrose is the patron saint of bees and beekeeping. Saint Anthony the Abbot is the patron saint of bacon. Saint Neott, is the patron saint of fish and there are even saints of beer and wine. 

The catholic church celebrates these saints in various ways and the most notable are the feast days. These happen throughout the year to honor the lives of many saints and to celebrate special holy events throughout history. Boston, my native city, is home to almost 50% catholic residents who celebrate both the Irish and Italian holy days with these feasts. Growing up with an Italian family, I recall the narrow North End streets of the city crowded with residents and street cart vendors.

The smell of peppers, onions, and sausage wafting from those carts made you always dig in your pocket for a $5.00 bill. Large pizza slices were for sale on every corner and the local bakeries like Mike’s and Modern’s would be pumping out their famous cannolis and cakes. The sight of the people carrying a large statue or picture of the Saint of the day down a busy parade route with money being collected and attached to the saint is an image I will never forget.

It is cold in Boston during mid-March but that does not stop the Irish and others from pouring onto the streets of South Boston for the annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade. People bundle up in their coats in and sweaters, green hats, and green scarves. They line the crowded sidewalks to wave the Irish flag and show pride for their heritage and pay homage to the patron saint of luck. Since most of the old city’s political leaders back in the day were of Irish heritage, the South Boston Saint Patrick’s Day parade has always been a big day for political campaigning. We would get a glimpse and cheer for our favorite candidates and for the current leadership of Beantown.

The Feast of Saint Patrick brings out all the street vendors, much like that of all the feasts, but on the morning of the parade pubs all over South Boston are cooking up corned beef and cabbage that will be served later. Some will serve smoked pork shoulder in place of corned beef but nonetheless you can expect a heaping helping of salty potatoes, carrots, cabbage and a hunk of either the corned beef or smoked ham. This will be served up with Irish whiskey, green beer or green ginger ale if you are underage.  

St. Particks Day in Raleigh

Fast forward a bit, I have called Raleigh, NC my home for nearly twenty years. This is an area steeped with Southern culture and traditions that we have come to love. Pig pickings, picnics on farms, farmers’ markets, outdoor festivals, beach music, and so much more. Southerners like to eat, that is a fact and breaking bread with others is something that I bring with me from my roots too. It’s no wonder I love the south!

The Catholic communities are not as large in North Carolina as they are in Massachusetts. In 1960 the population of Catholics in North Carolina was only 1%. Compare that number to today where that number is closer to 10% tells us a story about the region’s growth. The Saint Patrick’s Day Feast is alive and well in the Raleigh area. The festivities will last all day long and deep into the night on Saturday, March 14th. It kicks off with the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade downtown. This celebratory parade has been held for the past thirty-eight years. This year the Grand Marshall is Raleigh’s own famous celebrity, performer, Ira David Wood. The parade runs for approximately one hour and a half and showcases all that is Irish and Celtic. From the bagpipers to the dancers, the marching bands and floats, you are sure to be entertained.

Bagpipe players downtown parade
Photo Courtesy of Raleigh St. Pats.Org

During this St. Patrick’s Feast Day called the “Wearin O the Green Festival” the streets will be filled with thousands of people. City Plaza at the end of Fayetteville street is where it all transpires. There will be live music events, arts and crafts vendors, and food, lots of amazing street food. Rest assured there is plenty of family-friendly fun on Leprechaun lane with a bounce house and face painting. Why not show off your Irish pride, Celtic luck, or just get into the spirit and get a shamrock painted on your face? 

clowns downtown group photo

The Raleigh Beer Garden on Glenwood Ave will hold its annual block party and St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with several locations to choose from. Stop in to try some crispy, maple-bourbon bacon or the pulled-pork cheese fries. If you want to try something more traditionally Irish they do have a burger named after St. Arnold who is the patron saint of hop growers and Belgium brewers. It starts at noon on Saturday, March 14th with live music and dance performances throughout the day and until closing.

cheeseburger

The day after the parade you can continue celebrating Irish style outside of the city, Just head North to the town of Youngsville to hear the traditional Irish band, The Ewes Trees perform at The Yacht Club from 4 PM to 6 PM. This traditional Irish band encourages sing-alongs that are fun for the entire family. Not only does Yacht Club have a great craft beer selection but they offer cider, wine, and soft drinks. If the weather permits you can sit outside at a picnic table in the expansive courtyard with your four-legged friends.  

dog wearing st particks day hat

Bring your favorite Irish dish to share at their Saint Patrick’s Day potluck, try some Irish soda bread and shepherd’s pie. Not into Irish food? That’s okay too since you can purchase amazing non-Irish food from the Hale Yeah food truck that offers a variety of fresh surf and turf options, they will be parked in the Yacht Club parking lot.

outdoors yacht club youngsville
Courtesy of TripAdvisor

If you happen to miss the Ewes Trees play at Yacht Club Beverage House on Sunday, not to worry, you can catch them at Pat Murnane’s in Wake Forest on the official Saint Patrick’s Day March 17th. 

There are a plethora of Irish pubs to celebrate the wearing of the green in Raleigh and surrounding towns such as; O’Malley’s, Pipers Tavern, Saints and Scholars, Doherty’s, and Trali which is one of my favorites. We visited recently and you can read our review here.  However you decide to celebrate the Luck of Saint Patrick, we wish you and yours a prosperous and healthy year.

Piped Shepherds Pie 1023

Piped to Perfection Shepherds Pie

  • 2 Lbs. of Fresh Ground Chuck
  • 1 Lb. of Fresh Ground Sirloin
  • 4 Lbs. of Yukon Gold Potatoes
  • 4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
  • 4 Ears of Fresh Corn
  • 1 Small Yellow Onion (minced)
  • 1 Lb. of Salted Butter
  • ¼ Cup of Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1 ½  Cups of Sour Cream
  • 1 Tablespoon of Oil
  • ½ Teaspoon of Paprika
  1. Char you corn over an open flame (gas stove or gas grill) cooking for approx 3 -4 minutes.
  2. Let the corn cool enough so you can hold and shave off the kernels in a bowl with a large kitchen knife.
  3. Add salt, pepper and 1 tablespoons of butter to the corn and set aside.
  4. Peel and cut potatoes in 1 ½ “ cubes, add to a pot, cover potatoes with water.
  5. Cook on high heat for 15 -17 min until the potatoes are tender and soft enough for whipping.
  6. Drain potatoes and put in mixing bowl, add 2 tablespoons of butter, salt, and pepper.
  7. Mix on high with a hand blender or stand mixer (whip) for 30 seconds.
  8. Add the sour cream and cheese, mix on high for 2 minutes until all lumps are gone.
  9. Adjust your salt and pepper if needed (taste as you go),  cover to keep warm and set aside.
  10. In large frying pan turn heat to Med/High and add oil, add chuck and sirloin meat.
  11. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, then add minced onion and garlic, salt and pepper to taste.
  12. Cook another for another 5 minutes your meat should be cooked through and onions translucent.
    Now it’s time to assemble…
  13. In a baking dish add ground meat to the bottom of the pan. 
  14. Layer the corn on top, then you will layer the potatoes, spoon and smooth out or put into a piping bag and make rosettes all over the top using a star tip.
  15. Thinly slice remaining tablespoon of butter and add to the top.
  16. Sprinkle with paprika and bake at 375 degrees F for 35 minutes.

Enjoy!