You don't have to be Irish to enjoy the party March 17

How the feast of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, devolved into a green-beer-guzzling, pub-slogging, corned-beef-and-cabbage-noshing party for all people -- we may never know. But, in the tradition of celebrating St. Patrick, a kidnapped slave lauded for bringing Christianity to Ireland, many Irish pubs and drinking establishments all over Reno will be holding their own celebrations, if not for his deeds, at least in his name.

So, Irish or not, put on your green, recite a limerick and come have a few, at least to celebrate the fact that St. Pat drove the snakes out of Ireland. Or so the blarney goes. Really, Ireland never had snakes, and it was the pagans he drove out, but whatever. Let’s drink to ol’ St. Paddy, anyway. Here are a few lucky stops to hit along the shamrock way. And beware the leprechauns.

•Auld Dubliner Irish Pub 1995 Squaw Valley Rd # 41, Olympic Valley, Calif. (530)584-6041.Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The Auld Dubliner has an authentic Irish menu and premium beers, you can party like you really are on the Emerald Isle. Visit the website here.

• Ceol Irish Pub 538 S. Virginia St., (775) 329-5558. Music begins March 14 and celebrations run through the weekend. See the Blarney Band and Neil O' Kane March 17. For more details, see our Reno Scene article here.

•Corrigan's Bit O' Ireland 1526 S Wells Ave., (775)322-1977. Stop in for the "Magically Delicious" Guinness, Irish coffee, Harp and Bass. Hold on to your Lucky Charms! You'll need a shillelagh to lean on to make your way along Wells Ave. Corrigans will have no specials announced until next week with the exception of $6 Irish Car Bombs. It is hosting a Pre-St. Patty’s day party on March 16 with a Corned Beef Hash Barbecue and a 5-piece band. They'll also be joining in the Big Blow Out with Rapscallion’s and other local pubs as part of the night’s pub crawl. Always packed, Corrigan's will open the back bar and have door security

•Donely’s 2174 Greenbrae Drive, Sparks, (775)356-0299. Owner Priscilla Preciado will offer free corned beef and cabbage with a two-drink minimum, and karaoke at 9 p.m. The bar is always packed for St. Pat's, but there's room for you. On Saturday, the band “Hard Drive” will play, plus there will be Irish drink specials, on Sunday, carbombs, Irish coffee and more.

•Famous Murphy's, local landmark and Irish fun house, closed for good Monday March 3, 2008.

•Five-Star Saloon 132 West Street, (775)329-2878
On Saturday, the Wine Walk takes place from 2-5 p.m. Sunday's specials start at 3 p.m. and include $2 Coors and Killians. More specials to be announced. Free parking at the First Street Parking Gallery with validation. E-mail 5starsaloon@gmail.com for more information.

•Fitzgerald’s 255 North Virginia St., (775)785-3300, or (800)535-5825 Limerick’s (775)785-3677. Events and specials galore throughout the weekend. See the schedule here.

•Foley's Irish Pub 3655 S. Virginia St., (775)829-8500. visit Foley’s Irish Pub for specials on food and drink, watch Irish dancers perform and listen as the pipers blow. The exact schedule of events will be announced next week; check back then. Same for Napper Tandy's.

• 'Get Lucky" with the downtown bars and clubs: Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. continuing Monday, March 17 at 3 p.m.. Each participating bar will feature individual drink specials as well as $2 Coors Light, $2 Killian's Irish Red and free commemorative t-shirts. See more here.

•Lucke's Saloon 1455 S Wells Ave., (775) 324-9432. Lucke's will have free lamb stew on March 17, and people who wander Wells Avenue know that's "The Place to be on St. Patrick's Day." Lucke's gets it's fair share of foot traffic, especially from folks who just took in a nice seafood dinner and live music at restaurant, Rapscallion, 1555 S. Wells Ave., just up the road.

•Napper Tandy's Irish Pub 541 E. Moana Lane, (775)826-1950.
*** Read Above Note at Foley’s***

•O’Ski’s 840 Victorian Ave., (775) 359-7547, O'Ski's Irish and Polish Pub. Friday 9 p.m. Jason King performs, no cover; Saturday 8 p.m. The Blarney Band; Irish Sunday, half-off Irish drinks, Monday is the 8th Anniversary of O'Ski's Pub! Celebrate with giveaways, events and a big blowout! RTC passes available and the station is located right behind the bar!

•Paddy and Irene's Irish Pub 1218 Victorian Ave., Sparks, (775)358-5484. Come by for a free corned-beef sandwich and stay for the live music from bagpipers 4 - 6 p.m. If you stay too long, take advantage of the free RTC bus passes for a safe ride home.

•Ryan’s Saloon 924 S Wells Ave., (775)323-4142. The owner of this fine establishment will treat his patrons to corned beef and cabbage in addition to the regular menu.

•Shea's Tavern 715 S. Virginia St., ( 775)786-4774. Getting started about 9 p.m. with green beer, and a big ol' party. Dress your Irish best and celebrate. Beer specials.