Happy St. Pat's

I know this is hard for outsiders to get a handle on, but New Orleans has a huge Irish heritage. It's pretty simple, really. We're a port town, and as such have been culturally influenced by waves of European immigrants like no other city in the South. For example, during the late 19th C, the French Quarter was almost entirely Sicilian. New Orleans may have received more Irish immigrants than New York. Thousands of Irish died digging the New Basin Canal. I live within walking distance of a neighborhood known as the Irish Channel. Ignatius Reilly was named.. Ignatius Reilly. Long story short, St. Patrick's day is a big deal around here with parties and parades.. almost like a mini Mardi Gras right in the middle of lent. Here, check out NOLA for a short list of activities.