Top 10 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Dutchess County

From Irish music and dance performances to pub food paired with locally crafted beer, there are countless ways to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day here in Dutchess County. Only a 90-minute train ride from New York City via Metro-North or Amtrak, Dutchess is the perfect destination for an unforgettable getaway in the heart of the Hudson Valley.
Use this list of the Top 10 Ways to Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in Dutchess to help you plan your trip. Click here to unlock special “Stay in Dutchess” deals at participating inns and hotels throughout the county. Be sure to take lots of pictures, and feel free to share them here.
For information about St. Patrick’s Day parades in Dutchess, including “America’s Shortest Parade” in Pawling on Feb. 18, click here.
All month long at Juan Murphy’s, Poughkeepsie
This classic trivia spot in Poughkeepsie offers an unforgettable atmosphere with one-of-a-kind fusion. Famously, Juan Murphy’s is an Irish pub that serves Mexican grub. Corned beef reubens, Guinness-BBQ wings, and hot pastrami “Dubliners” join loaded nachos, fajita bowls, and pulled pork burritos. There’s something for everyone at this fun Dutchess County hangout, with Monday game nights, Wednesday trivia and live music every Friday and Saturday. Plus, catch Irish jam sessions every other Tuesday from 6-8 p.m.
Related: A First-Timer's Guide to Dutchess County
Saturday, March 11, 2-8 p.m. at the MJN Convention Center, Poughkeepsie
Head to the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center, formerly the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, for the biggest St. Patrick’s Day bash in the Hudson Valley. Presented by Mahoney’s Irish Pub and WRRV 92.7/96.9-FM, the Paddy in Poughkeepsie festival is an afternoon of Irish food, beer, vendors, live music and more. See live performances by The NotKick Murphy’s (a Dropkick Murphy’s tribute band from here in the Hudson Valley), The Mighty Ploughboys and others. Must be 21 or older. To purchase tickets, click here.
Saturday and Sunday, March 11 and 12 at Mahoney’s Irish Pub, Poughkeepsie
The Acme Murder Mystery Company presents “A Wee Bit o’ Murder,” an interactive murder mystery dinner, at Mahoney’s. Tickets include the show, a buffet dinner and prizes. Performances will be Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. It’s “Laughter in the First Degree!” Click here to purchase tickets. Be sure to check the Mahoney’s Facebook page for updates on events planned for St. Patrick’s Day and the ensuing weekend.
Wednesday through Sunday, March 15-19 at Sloop Brewing at the Factory, East Fishkill
Why celebrate one St. Patrick’s Day when you can enjoy five straight days of merriment? That’s what the folks at Sloop Brewing have in mind, and they have food and drink specials and live music set for the occasion. Chef Adam Slamon cooks up festive specials like Irish nachos (crispy tater tots loaded with corned beef, pickled jalapenos and Sloop beer cheese) and Irish beef stew. Deals include $12 themed glassware with a free first pour and $5 refills from Sloop’s draft lineup of No Green Beer (a New England IPA), Sloop Pils, Juice Bomb and Half-Baked Stout. Plus, the Raggle Taggle Gypsy O’s perform live at the Factory on March 19 at 1 p.m.
Sloop is one of more than a dozen stops on the Dutchess Tourism Taste Finder Craft Beverage Trail, a mobile passport program that serves up perks at participating locations. Click here to obtain "The Pass to Fill Your Glass."
Friday, March 17, 8:30 p.m. at the Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon
Looking for a true taste of the Emerald Isle experience? Spend an evening at Beacon’s cozy Towne Crier Cafe and watch the Rose Clancy Trio. Fiddler Rose Clancy continues her family’s musical tradition that dates back more than 70 years to when Clancy family members toured Ireland in the 1950s and performed at country dances. Rose’s trio, which features Max Cohen on vocals and guitar and John Alden on vocals and upright bass, pays tribute to its roots with its signature blend of contemporary and traditional songs infused with influences from Ireland and Scotland, as well as Cape Breton Island and New England. Rose’s brother, John Clancy, will make a guest appearance. Click here to purchase tickets. While you’re there, be sure to grab a decadent dessert made in-house by pastry chef Mary Ciganer.
Friday, March 17, 8 p.m. at The Station Grille, Poughquag
What would a St. Patrick’s Day celebration be without some Noise in the Basement? That’s what the gang at The Station Grille was thinking when they booked Noise in the Basement – the Dutchess County-based rock n’ roll cover band – especially for the occasion. Along with hosting live music performances every Friday and Saturday night, The Station Grille offers a mouth-watering menu of steaks, ribs, seafood, burgers, sandwiches and more. Wash it all down with a selection from the expansive drink menu, which features dozens of beers, ciders, seltzers, wines and spirits, including quite a few crafted right here in the Hudson Valley.
Saturday, March 18, 8 p.m. at Daryl’s House, Pawling
Run by one-half of the legendary duo Hall & Oates, Daryl’s House Club in Pawling is an electric venue for live music. What better way to celebrate St. Patrick than with a Celtic rock concert? The Mighty Ploughboys, a five-piece, Connecticut-based power group, performs its own unique mix of classic rock and traditional Irish music. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the band starts shredding promptly at 8 p.m. To reserve tickets, click here. Not available that night? Daryl’s House hosts live music events four or five nights every week. Be sure to check out the schedule of upcoming shows.
Related: Top 10 Dutchess Events in March
Sunday, March 19, 3 p.m. at Solas An Lae School of American Irish Dance, Red Hook
Do you have a dancer in the family? Bring them to a Sunday Matinee Series performance at the Solas An Lae School of American Irish Dance. Red Hook’s dance company aims to explore the unlimited possibilities of the Celtic art form. Every third Sunday, get a glimpse into the SAL training process. Artistic director Deirdre Lowry’s choreography leads to incredible step work. Sessions are open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sunday, March 19, 9 a.m. at J.H. Ketcham Memorial Park, Dover Plains
Lace up those sneakers and get ready to run (or walk) in the second annual St. Patrick’s 5k hosted by the Eastern Dutchess Road Runners Club. The race starts and finishes in J.H. Ketcham Memorial Park, and the course is on town roads with several small, rolling hills. The winners' ceremony starts at 10 a.m. after the run, with awards going to the top three male and female finishers. Stick around for celebratory snacks and shamrock shakes. Click here to register. The first 125 registrants are guaranteed a free mule mug.
Thursdays through Sundays, 5 p.m.-12 a.m. at Traghaven Whiskey Pub, Tivoli
Uisce breatha is the Irish name for whiskey, translating literally to “water of life.” Traghaven Whiskey Pub boasts a massive collection of booze from across the Atlantic. Browse the extensive whiskey menu by single-malt, blended, single-potstill, ryes, bourbons and Scotch. Then, snack on Irish staples like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and, of course, corned beef and cabbage. Check the Traghaven Facebook page for announcements, as Traghaven is known for all sorts of entertainment. In the past, they’ve hosted live jazz, pub-play readings, trivia nights and traditional Hootenannys.
Saturday, Feb. 18, 12 p.m. on Broad Street, Pawling
The Village of Pawling is the place to be for those looking to get a head start on their St. Patrick’s Day revelry. Now in its seventh year, Pawling’s Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become quite a popular event despite being held nearly a month ahead of its namesake holiday. Covering a mere 223 feet of Broad Street, it’s become known as “America’s Shortest Parade,” but there’s an awful lot of fun packed into every inch of it. Be sure to stop by O’Connor’s Public House on Broad Street after 9 a.m. for an Irish specialty cocktail; starting at 11 a.m., O’Connor’s will be serving drinks and homemade corned beef and cabbage in its outdoor dining area. The Nerds keep the party rocking with a free concert following the parade.
Saturday, March 4, 1 p.m. in Wappingers Falls
Councilman William Holohan Beale has been named the Grand Marshal for this the 28th annual Dutchess County St. Patrick’s Parade. This is certain to be another fantastic event the whole family will enjoy, just as it has been year after year. Be sure to dress in green and head to Wappingers Falls for all the fun. For a map of the parade route, click here.
Saturday, March 11, 12 p.m. on Main Street, Beacon
Don your most festive green attire and head to the City of Beacon for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Green, which made a triumphant return last year following a two-year hiatus. The parade conveniently falls on Second Saturday. Explore Beacon’s hottest bars, restaurants, breweries and art galleries late into the evening.

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