Sláinte! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Eastern Connecticut

Don your best green gear and get a jump on burning off all those Guinesses with a certified race to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Mystic. The course starts and ends in downtown Mystic and travels along scenic River Road on the banks of the Mystic River. For more info, visit https://mysticirishparade.org/.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a traditional Irish Parade in towns including in Mystic, New London, and Norwich.  Attend your favorite or attend them all. Just be sure to dress warm, dress in green, and cheer your loudest!

• Norwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival -This parade takes place in historic downtown Norwich, and is all day affair with live music afterward.
• New London St. Patrick's Day Parade -This annual parade’s theme is, “Everyone Is Irish for a Day.” This event is sponsored by the City of New London, the Downtown New London Association, and produced by Neff Productions.
• The Mystic Irish Parade - The Mystic Irish Parade is not to be missed! This annual event begins at the Mystic Seaport Museum, journeys downtown, and concludes at the Mystic Museum of Art. The festivities surrounding this parade also include a pre-parade Irish Dinner, an Irish 5K, a happy hour with the grand marshall and a post-parade awards ceremony.

Inishmor Pub is located in Colchester and voted best Irish Pub in Connecticut by BuzzFeed, this place is the real deal. They specialize in “farm to table pub grub.” Think local produce, local and organic meat and poultry, and a whole lot of local craft beers on tap. Along with roughly 200 varieties of whiskey to wet your whistle. Menu highlights include decadent burgers, authentic Irish fare such as Bangers n’ Mash or an Iron-Skillet Shepherd’s Pie, and their “Unlucky Wings” (13 to order) with your choice of sauce. Because sure, Buffalo wings are great and all, but have you ever had Maple Bacon wings.

Mystic’s Harp & Hound is known by locals has the spot for an authentic Irish atmosphere in Mystic. The owner is from Limerick, Ireland himself and the décor, complete with a dark wood bar and Irish road signs, will make you forget you’re in Connecticut at all. They serve traditional Irish fare and plenty of Irish whiskies, Irish coffees, and of course, pints of Guinness.

The Hare & The Hound in Putnam is a relatively new establishment. This Irish Pub is owned by childhood friends and aims to offer a unique twist on traditional Irish Pubs, as well as bring something new to downtown Putnam.  Their menu has some creative dishes such as Irish Nachos (yup, there’s pastrami on top in case you were curious!) and the Mother Cluckin’ Waffles, but also plenty of traditional Irish favorites like Bangers and Mash, Guinness Stew, Shepherd’s Pie and more.