Did you know that there is a village in Ireland named Baltimore!? Beyond that fact, Maryland’s history includes stories of Irish immigration and tolerance for Roman Catholicism – and is fully committed to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Here are some events, organized by date, around the state that offer rich tastes of Irish history and culture.
SATURDAY, March 4 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 5
Annapolis Irish Weekend
Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in historic Annapolis. The weekend begins with fun at Annapolis Waterfront Hotel with Irish food and drink. Enjoy the sounds of Irish rock from Dublin 5, bagpipe music, and authentic Irish step dancing. On Sunday at 1 PM, the annual Annapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade will march through downtown Annapolis.
Saturday, march 11
Gaithersburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Come to the 17th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Gaithersburg, hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Culture in partnership with the Washingtonian Center and Harp & Shamrock Society. See bagpipers, Celtic dancers, live Irish music, and more. The event hub is Rio Washingtonian Center.
Chesapeake City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The 18th annual Chesapeake City St. Patrick’s Day Parade brings you floats, school bands, live Irish music, including the Mummer’s Duffy String Jam Band, and lots of Irish food. Prizes will be awarded for best Irish floats and dress. This event is brought to you by the Chesapeake City Chamber of Commerce & Friends of Chesapeake City.
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, SATURDAY, MARCH 18 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 19
BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Celtic Celebration
These shows are more than the beautiful Irish orchestral music the BSO will perform – stepdancing and bagpipes will help you celebrate in true style, too! Jack Everly and the BSO SuperPops join to bring you music from Braveheart and Titanic, and from Broadway Brigadoon and Finian’s Rainbow, “Danny Boy” and much more. These events are at the Meyerhoff in Baltimore.
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
Teelin Irish Dance Company
Watch the Teelin Irish Dance Company as they perform authentic Irish dances at the James Joyce Pub and Restaurant in Baltimore. The Columbia, Maryland-based step dance troupe will perform jigs, reels, and contemporary percussive dance routines that have won international acclaim. The dancing goes from 4:30-5PM, but come early and stay late to celebrate.
SATURDAY, MARCH 25
Mount Clare Station, part of the B&O Railroad Museum. Photo from Maryland Historical Trust.
Tour of Mount Clare Station
Presented by the Irish Railroad Workers Museum, learn about the heritage of one of Baltimore’s Irish working communities by touring the historic Mount Clare Station neighborhood – the eastern terminus of the B&O railroad. Tour members should meet at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum.