Saturday 9: South Side Irish (1984)
Unfamiliar with this week’s tune? See the video and watch it below!
1. This week’s song was chosen because it’s something of an anthem in Chicagoland around St. Patrick’s Day. Can you name another song that makes you think of St. Patrick’s Day or Ireland?
Pretty much anything by Dropkick Murphy’s. This one is my favorite song, “Rose Tattoo.:
2. The Irish Choir sings that the “craic” is always best among the Windy City Irish. “Craic” is Irish for “fun” and “high spirits.” Are you planning anything fun this weekend?
Not anything specific. We’ll probably spend some family time.
3. They tell us that their fathers came over from Mayo, Cork and Donegal. Where did your ancestors hail from?
Predominantly all over the British Isles. My paternal grandmother was of largely Welsh ancestry, my paternal grandfather British, Irish, and Scottish. My maternal grandmother was of Scottish and Irish descent, my maternal grandfather British and Irish.
4. The lyrics mention the rivalry between Chicago’s two baseball teams. As Spring Training 2025 draws to a close, how do you feel about your baseball team’s chances this season?
I’ve a family heritage of Yankees fandom, but I’m a hockey girl. So I have no outlook for baseball
5. The Chicago River is dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Does your community do anything to special for the holiday?
The usual “everyone’s Irish for the day” stuff. We’ll be making some soda bread and corned beef.
6. While this week’s song focuses on the Irish population of Chicago, it’s not the U.S. city with the highest percentage of citizens of Irish ancestry. According to the 2020 census, Boston is #1. Have you ever been to Boston?
Many times, as I’m from northern New York.
7. On Monday, which is St. Patrick’s Day, do you plan to wear green?
Yup. I have a shirt with a shamrock that I wear every year.
8. Clovers are a recognized symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, and a four-leaf clover is believed to bring good luck. Have you ever seen a four-leaf clover?
Just twice. I found one back home when I was a teenager, another in California in my early twenties.
9. Black coffee with whiskey and whipped cream is Irish Coffee. What’s your standard coffee order?
Most of the time, black. I have flavored cream at home, though.
I just now heard on the news that some “International Delight” creamers have been recalled! Please check to make sure you don’t have any of those flavors in your kitchen.
OOOH another NYer!! Where in Northern NY?? I live in a suburb between Albany and Saratoga.
Enjoyed your answers!!
GO Red Sox, and Celtics, And Patriots, and Bruins!! :)
enjoyed your answers! Happy Weekend!
I’m from Potsdam, about as far north as possible. And I’m a hardcore New York Rangers fan. My youngest brother is one of yours, a Bruins fan!
Oh good, another clover finder. Too bad they never seemed to bring me any luck!
I’ve found 4-leaf clovers and one I was able to press/preserve!
Right back at you, Irish. My grandmother was born in Cork. I have a scarf with shamrocks that I wear on St. Paddy’s but I can’t find it this year. Well four leaves are lucky but shamrocks have 3!