Geraldton to go green as Midwest Irish club prepares for St Patrick’s Day

The Midwest Irish Club is inviting the community to join in for a day of celebration as the local Irish community marks St Patrick’s Day on March 17. Good music, food and drinks will all be on offer at the group’s clubhouse, as festivities begin in the morning at 10 with morning tea, before the bar opens at noon. The celebrations will run late into the night, with performances from local live musicians Johnny David, Tobi Williams, and The Bleedin Irish. A seafood food van and ice-cream trucks will be serving meals, including beef and Guinness sliders, as well as Irish crisps, and Guinness will also be served on tap. Guests will also be able to get their hair done up in Irish braids. The Mid West is home to a large Irish community, and St Patrick’s Day remains a beloved opportunity to celebrate Irish culture, club president Peter Vanderpol said. “Its the biggest part of our year, we work towards this for 12 months to make this something huge, and we absolutely love it,” he said. The Midwest Irish Club’s hall was built in 1939, and has been undergoing refurbishments over the past two years, giving it a fresh new feel, Mr Vanderpol said. Ireland’s national holiday, which honours the nation’s patron saint, is celebrated on the Emerald Isle and across the world by the Irish diaspora. The event, located on 253 Fourth Street, Geraldton, is free and open to all guests, both Irish and Irish at heart, no ticket required.