This year, the 2017 Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs is running March 16-19, featuring the most authentic St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Central Florida and a round-the-clock lineup of talented musicians, award-winning Irish dancers and authentic cuisine by Irish celebrity chef and PBS/Create TV personality Kevin Dundon.
If you want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like the Irish, here’s some tips from Raglan Road (ha!):
1. Please don’t call the holiday “St. Patty’s.” It’s either “St. Patrick’s Day” or “St. Paddy’s.”
2. A shamrock has three leaves (not four – that would be a clover).
3. Americans invented the St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1737 in Boston.
4. Most Irish pubs do a full month’s business on St. Patrick’s Day.
5. Guinness sell 13 million pints on St. Patrick’s Day versus the usual 5 million daily.
6. Raglan Road is America’s #1 Irish Pub.
7. Green beer is an American invention. Raglan Road does not serve green beer.
We were able to chat with Raglan Road Master Chef Kevin Dundon in a Q & A recently:
Tasty Chomps: Where did you get your inspiration to cook?
Chef Kevin Dundon: As a child, I remember watching my mother and my grandmother, busy in the kitchen. Mum instilled in me a sense of passion for the food we ate, and this is where my passion for food began. Mum always ensured we got involved in the preparation of family meals, and this trend now continues with my own children.
Favorite first memories of food?
My first memory is years back when I was a child. We were in Kilkee, County Clare for a weekend holiday. I went with my grandfather fishing. We caught mackerel, and that night my mum cooked some. Next morning, I decided I wanted to impress my grandparents with breakfast in bed. I prepared toast, tea and some lovely mackerel! The mackerel were undercooked, the tea was cold and so was the toast. They didn’t say anything, ate it all and said it was delicious. I found out years later of their kindness, the lengths they went to keep me happy!
Best Dishes to Try at the Restaurant this year?
I love the Heaven on Earth Baby Back Ribs, glazed in a Guinness reduction – they are fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-the-mouth tender, and made to share!
What is one dish you would make for yourself to eat after a long day in the kitchen?
I love a bacon buttie, made on freshly buttered toasted sourdough bread, with crisp, hot bacon straight from the grill, freshly shredded lettuce, a slice or two of beef tomato.
Favorite local Orlando places to dine?
Obviously Raglan Road is my favourite place to dine; however, The Pharmacy in Orlando is a good spot too!
PRESS RELEASE: 2017 Raglan Road Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Runs March 16-19
at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs
Award-winning new acts include Young Dubliners and The Byrne Brothers
Running March 16-19, the most authentic St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Central Florida will feature a round-the-clock lineup of talented musicians, award-winning Irish dancers and authentic cuisine by Irish celebrity chef and PBS/Create TV personality Kevin Dundon.
Guests can enjoy a mighty selection of beers, spirits and craft cocktails with Dundon’s exceptional Irish fare while musicians and dancers perform on multiple stages, indoors and out, from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily. Guests can accent their Irish holiday attire with complimentary face painting available for the occasion from noon to 8 p.m. throughout the festival. The stellar music lineup includes:
Young Dubliners – Quite possibly Celtic rock’s hardest working band, playing hundreds of shows to thousands of fans across the United States and Europe every year. Known for their exciting live performances, the Young Dubliners bring their hearty rock and Irish-infused tunes to the Raglan Road stage.
The Byrne Brothers – An exceptionally talented traditional Irish music family from Donegal. They are Luca, 12, on button accordion; Finn, 10, on banjo, mandolin and whistle; and Dempsey, 7, on whistle and bodhran (percussion). Their show combines exciting traditional Irish tunes with modern dance beats, and they’re known for their fun interaction with their audience.
HanaLena Band – A sister duo based out of Nashville, Tenn. Hannah and Caroline grew up in the heart of Mississippi and were surrounded by bluegrass, country and the Delta blues. Their unique blend of acoustic instrumentation, moving lyrics and tight vocal harmonies make for an entertaining show.
The Raglan Roots Coalition – More than 10 years down the road, Raglan Road felt it was time to shake its boogie – Roots style, with this popular Irish house band. Think soul-rocking Celtic bluegrass with some hip-swingin’, knee-shakin’ funky roots beats.
Swingin’ On the Gate – This four-piece band of multi-instrumentalists with roots in legendary Lisdoonvarna in County Clare have serious crossover credentials and musical pedigree including traditional and classical training. They are multiple medal winners at Fleadhs music competitions and have toured in Italy, Switzerland and the United States.
Rollickin’ Rua – A fresh and exciting four-piece traditional Irish music ensemble from Ireland and Scotland. Each of the accomplished musicians brings a wealth of musical talent and experience to their vibrant live show of music and song.
The Raglan Road Irish Dancers – Plucked from the cast and stages of the world’s greatest Irish dance shows, the Raglan Road Irish Dancers perform throughout the Mighty Festival. You can even learn some traditional Irish dance steps – no experience necessary!
The entertainment schedule will be posted at raglanroad.com. Festivities at Raglan Road will run from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily throughout the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival.
Guests can order from Raglan Road’s popular brunch, lunch, dinner and bar menus that include new dishes recently introduced by Master Chef Dundon. The dinner menu features loin of bacon and cabbage, the authentic Irish dish of St. Patrick’s Day, plus other Irish classics created with Dundon’s modern twists. Throughout the event, the restaurant’s Cooke’s of Dublin counter-service eatery will offer Irish favorites, as well, including fish and chips.
On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis with a cover charge of $10 for each guest age 18 and older. Reservations can be booked for other festival days by calling 407/938-0300.
