Music has always been the front and center of the powerful St. Patrick’s Day Festival (March 14-17) on Raglan Road, and this year’s Emerald Isle’s lineup of acts includes the funky and newly formed Galway band Clada, Downpatrick’s favourite multi-instrumentalist family, Clannuíhuiginn (higgins clan), and the harmful clans clans semens freat higgins clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clans clan Orphans offer traditional, pop blend brands and provide a spade vibe.
“Our guests love seeing the different energies on stage,” says Rachel Conroy, general manager of Raglan Road, imported from Ireland’s Midlands. “Every corner of the pub is music and performances by Raglan Rhode Irish dancers. You can’t travel too far without seeing (one of them) play the jig.”
In fact, live music is one of my favorites in the world.
But you know everything about food I always know.
And as one of the most creative kitchens in all of Disney Springs, it’s no surprise that the culinary talent here has plenty of new items that will seduce this year’s mighty slowdown.
Among them are reboots of both the original and Vegan Shepherd’s Pie, healthy options for both Eastern Salmon Salad and Garden Plate Chicken Salad, and a new app for a decade that will appeal when Ireland dates America.
It’s one of the staff’s favorites, says Conroy, a bacon and cabbage mac ‘n’ cheese bite.
“Our chefs combined the American and Ireland experience to create this dish, which has been extremely popular since their recent debut.”
Just like in her hometown, she says that when she is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, food and drinks go hand in hand.
“Nothing gets better with pints than hearty food,” she points out, citing newcomers on menus like Irish brown soda punk crumble, like butternut squash gnocchi.
“At Raglan Road, our kitchen team includes experienced Irish chefs who have worked across Europe. We source materials as close to Irish ingredients as possible.”
You can’t get closer than many of the import staff of this beloved pub, the Raglan Rhode Irish dancers. Come at festival time. They praise the four-day celebration, both inside and outside bars, as live Irish music and dance spreads across five outer bars and 24-hour music performances in three stages.
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And there’s a new space on the deck for celebrations.
“This year, we are excited to cut the ribbon at a new, permanent outdoor paddy bar, named after poet Patrick Cabana, who wrote the poem “on Raglan Road,”,” Conroy says.
It is located near the front door of the pub, in an Irish boutique shop, serving collaborative Irish and local beers and Irish cocktails.
Speaking of which, those who are not too keen on bubbles (and you can’t find the green variety here!), the subtle sipper is the rosemary and maple whiskey sour from Raglan Road. The festival special, Emerald Goddess, will also be featured in SIP.
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If you’re going
Bookings are encouraged for anyone interested in attending the party from March 14th to 16th. On St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th), Raglan Road will open at 10am, with a $20 cover fee for guests age 18 and older. Seats are first served at the first cam, no reservations. Young patrons may join for free. Details: Raglan Road is located in Disney Springs, 1640 Buena Vista Drive, Orlando. 407-938-0300raglanroad.com
