People Celebrate St. Patrick's Day, March Madness Thursday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- As always on St. Patrick's Day, the Harp and Fiddle's hopping.
There are many stories at the Strip District tavern.
"It's the hundred year anniversary of the 1916 Irish rebellion, and my grandmother was part of that uprising," says Kathleen Krolicki. "And she's being honored at the celebration in Dublin next week."
Singer Mark Guise rouses the crowd with familiar Irish music. But some have their eyes directed on the TV at the bar.
Many admit that their attention may be split between the festivities on the floor, and that college basketball tournament that's running on CBS. They're the ones who keep checking their brackets.
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Scott Dunlap leans toward Michigan State and Kentucky. But when it comes to the "luck of the Irish" he says, "No. I have Notre Dame out in the first round."
E. J. Krol keeps his brackets close at hand.
"I have family," he says. "I have all this Irish heritage, so it's not too bad. Plus we have TV, so it makes it a little easier for you."
Over in Carnegie, Riley's Pour House Tavern is Irish all the way, especially on Saint Patrick's Day. The tavern's filled with those who come to celebrate their heritage.
"My grandparents on my mother's side came directly from Ireland, and I think I'm third generation on my father's side," Greg Kernan says.
Jim and Cheryl Riley bought the tavern four years ago. Their niece helps them keep up with the crowd.
"Last year and the year before we had over 15 hundred people come through," Stacie Riley says. "I don't know what the numbers were from last year, but it gets more streamlined every year."
Irish singer Mike Gallagher performed for the crowd, which always includes the Gallagher clan. He says their tradition began long ago.
"My brothers and sisters and I would put on a show, and invite all the neighbors in. It was a lot of fun. St. Patrick's Day was great for us."
Finally, we asked a St. Patrick look-alike if he really chased the snakes out of Ireland.
"I did," he answered. "I sent them to Italy."
