Yearning to be in New York, Chicago, Boston or Dublin on Monday, March 17? Don’t worry! You can still “paint the town green” on St. Patrick’s Day in Mexico, a country whose ties with Ireland grow stronger every day (see story in last week’s Reporter: “History never says goodbye, only see you later” by Michael Hogan).
Lake Chapala residents have plenty of options for great dining (and it’s not just corned beef and cabbage!) and entertainment at many local spots, as covered in these pages. Meanwhile, Guadalajara residents might want to head over to the Real Irish Pub at Calle Libertad 1903 in Colonia Americana for a pint (or two) of Guinness. You'll have to go a day earlier though—their celebration is on Sunday, March 16, because the pub closes on Mondays.
If you’re up for a little adventure, consider heading to the Jalisco coast, specifically the beach town of San Patricio, adjacent to Melaque on the Costa Alegre. While some legends suggest the town was named after the Irish San Patricio Battalion, who fought alongside Mexico during the 1846-48 U.S.-Mexico War, this is almost certainly untrue. It’s more probable the town was named much earlier after the famous Catholic saint, since other Mexican towns are also named after saints.
Regardless, San Patricio honors its patron saint passionately, and you’ll find plenty of festivities leading up to and on March 17 if you’re spending time there—or in its larger neighbor, Melaque. If you’re seeking a more laid-back environment compared to Puerto Vallarta, with a decent beach, San Patricio/Melaque is always a great option, any time of the year.
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