Patron Richard Donauer enjoys a pint at O’Byrne’s. (Karen Evenden/Vacay.ca)
We count down the 12 Days to Christmas, why not the 17 Days to St. Patrick’s Day? If there’s one holiday that should be a season of cheer, it’s this one, we say. Here’s Edition 9 of the Vacay.ca St. Patrick’s Day in Canada Countdown — where we name 17 of the best Irish bars in the land!
Day 9: O’Byrne’s Irish Pub, Edmonton
Story by Karen Evenden
Vacay.ca Writer
EDMONTON — O’Byrne’s Irish Pub has a location most innkeepers can only dream of; just minutes from the University of Alberta and smack dab in the middle of Edmonton’s trendiest street, Whyte Avenue.
It comes as no surprise therefore that the average customer at O’Byrne’s is anything but average. With an age range of 19-80, on a typical evening the pub attracts a variety of clientele.
Expect to enjoy a pint with firemen who often host fundraisers at the pub. It’s also not uncommon to see one or two players from the Edmonton Oilers, lawyers, doctors, students, the local knitting club, or perhaps even a well-known actor from the TV show “Will and Grace” (Eric McCormack made headlines when he visited the bar two years ago).
The pub may be 2,000 kilometres (or 1,250 miles) from Galway, but O’Byrne’s offers hearty Irish meals, live Celtic music every Tuesday and a cozy homely atmosphere jam-packed with Irish trinkets and souvenirs.
Opened in 1998 by Denis Byrne formerly of Dublin, O’Byrne’s celebrates its 14th birthday this year.
Quote from an Irishman: “Ah, what can I tell you,” says Paddy Kelly, general manager of O’Byrne’s. “There’s two kinds of people in this world; the Irish and those that want to be.”
You know it’s authentically Irish because: O’Byrne’s is Irish owned and Irish run, and looks and feels like a traditional Irish pub — so much so that it has a growing clientele of Irish immigrants.
Cost of a pint of Guinness: $7.75, and only $5.75 during Happy Hour, 2pm-8pm seven days a week.
St. Patrick’s Day plans: It’s all about the Craic agus Ceol (conversation and music). The theme is Go Green on Whyte! live performances from Mark McGarrigle and the Brady Academy of Irish Dance, an extended Irish menu. Open from 10am to 2pm.
Contact info: O’Byrne’s Irish Pub; 10616, 82 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta; 780-414-6766; info@obyrnes.com; www.obyrnes.com
Day 8 of the Vacay.ca St. Patrick’s Day Countdown: O’Hanlons, Regina
Have you got a favourite Irish pub? Tell us about it. Email editors@vacay.ca and we may feature it in our countdown!
