Killarney’s Pub is set to recognize iconic Scottish poet on Jan. 20, with a pub crawl and dinner.
Pub owner Dominic Hickey said he decided to host the event because it was very popular with the people who attended last year.
“Basically the event starts at Killarney’s at 6 p.m. and then we follow that up by going to DeJa Brew Espresso and Wine Bar, Fantaci Asian Restaurant, the Texas Gate and then back to Killarney’s,” he said.
“We decided to theme it because Robbie Burns Night is Jan. 25. We’re doing a prime rib dinner for when people come back here (to Killarney’s) and put on some music with entertainment from local group the Hazel Grey and the Hubcaps, who play a range of Celtic, folk and country music … it’s really lively and upbeat and he’s been wanting to play here for ages.”
The dinner will also include haggis with a vegetarian offering of the traditional dish.
Hickey plans the night to be inclusive so regular customers can stroll and enjoy the entertainment without worrying about paying a cover charge
Hickey added the idea to host the Scottish-themed night plays on the bar’s goal to be known as a Celtic rather than an Irish pub.
“The Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, where as the Scottish celebrate Robbie Burns birthday,” Hickey said.
“We wanted to be known as more than just an Irish bar, so celebrating (Robbie) Burns sort of gives us that identity. It should be a lot of fun and really the whole reason why we’re doing it.”
The first Robbie Burns Night was held on July 21, 1801 when Burns’s friends gathered on the fifth anniversary of his death. Merchants who were born in Ayrshire, some of whom had known the famous poet, founded the first still existing Burns Club in Greenock in 1801. They held the first Burns supper on what they originally thought was his birthday on Jan. 29 in 1802, but the following year, they discovered the Ayr parish records noted his date of birth was actually Jan. 25, 1759. Since then, suppers and celebrations have been held on or around Jan. 25.
The supper may be formal or informal. Both typically include haggis, a traditional Scottish dish, as well as Scotch whisky and the recitations of Burn’s poetry. Formal dinners are hosted by organizations such as Burns Clubs, the Freemasons or St. Andrews Societies and they occasionally end with dancing when a lady is present.
Those interested can book their tickets now to avoid missing out by emailing [email protected].
