St Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on the 17th of March and honours Ireland’s patron saint. While the popular legend claims he drove snakes out of the country, he is more widely remembered for promoting the spread of Christianity. The holiday is closely associated with the shamrock which St Patrick is said to have used to explain the Holy Trinity and has since become a symbol of Irish heritage and identity.
For Newcastle University students, however, the day is just another excuse to skip lectures and socialise with friends. This year is expected to be no different with Osborne Road, once again, at the centre of the festivities. Following this student guide for Paddy’s Day will help you make the most of the celebrations!
Making a 9am lecture may seem impossible, yet waking up at 7am to queue for Blanc is no problem for us at all.
Firstly, the morning of St Paddy’s Day, which falls on a Tuesday this year, will see pupils rising earlier than they have all year. Making a 9am lecture may seem impossible, yet waking up at 7am to queue for Blanc is no problem for us at all. Once you are up, dig out anything green from the back of your wardrobe and find a housemate to paint shamrocks on your cheeks. Then it's straight to Osborne Road to join the queue for your chosen pub.
Secondly, once inside, often after hours of waiting, you will find that they do not start serving alcohol until 11 so it is important you have a hipflask handy. I would also suggest lining the stomach for the long day ahead so don’t forget your discount cards and treat yourself to something off the menu. It is important to remember that once you are in, leaving means joining the queue all over again. The situation is so extreme my housemates even discussed booking a room above Blanc just to charge phones and avoid the long toilet queues.
For those who can hack a full day of festivities...
Thirdly, after at least 8 hours in the pub, and many red pints consumed, it is time to return to our houses, touch up the green face paint and get ready to head out to Holy Hobos. A prime spot for Paddy’s Day, thanks to its short walk from Jesmond and becomes the evening hotspot, with karaoke carrying the celebrations late into the night. For those who can hack a full day of festivities, GDT is the next prime location to spend the early hours of the morning, and rumour has it that Space Mondays is hosting a Paddy’s Day special this year, which will certainly be another popular destination.
Whether remembered for the queues, the costumes or the questionable decisions, Paddy’s Day remains a highlight in the student calendar, often followed by a very slow Wednesday morning.