May you be half an hour in Heaven before the devil knows
you’re dead. That was the motto of this year’s St. Patrick’s Night at
the Soho Bar in Huay Kaew Road, opposite Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel. Paddy
Linehan hosted this genuine Irish night on March 17, with food, drinks,
songs, music, laughter and lies, as is customary at that traditional
celebration.
It’s a
long way to Tipperary (from left) Mark, Mike Grice, Paddy Linehan, Philip
Wharfe, Oliver Madden.
Guests were asked to sample typical Irish stew,
Colcannon, bacon joint, corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread and the
favorite of all guests, a never ending flow of Irish coffee.
Almost everyone was wearing green representing spring,
shamrocks, and Ireland. So that nobody could say they did not know the
lyrics of Irish songs, a booklet had been prepared and later in the evening
the guests joined in the singing of both sentimental and jolly Irish
ballads.
As St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays which are celebrated
around the world and well known for fun, it was not surprising that Soho Bar
was much too small to accommodate all visitors. It did not matter that some
guests were definitely not Irish. On St. Patrick’s Night 2005, all were
Irish at heart.
