Today is Saint Patrick’s Day and Fiji’s only Irish Pub, O’Reilly’s will mark this occasion in style with local entertainment and drinks.

However this year, O’Reilly’s will only have 50 per cent capacity because of COVID-19 restrictions.

O’Reilly’s managing director Liam Hindle said the last celebration was on March 17, 2020, which was two days before pubs in Fiji closed.

Significance 

Mr Hindle said there was a great affinity between the Irish and Fijian communities.

“This is in terms of their love for family, being fun-loving and sociable people, so much so that the Fijians are often described as the ‘Irish’ of the South Pacific,” Mr Hindle said.

Mr Hindle said St. Patrick’s Day was important to O’Reilly’s and his other bar businesses in Fiji because of his Irish connection.

“I was born into and spent my early years in the O’Reilly family in Cobh, County Cork, Ireland,” he said.

He said they served ‘green’ beer, played Irish music and decorated the club with shamrocks (three leafed clover) and Irish flags every St Patrick’s Day.

“Lots of people have Irish connections, though they may not be ‘Irish’ as such. Irish people were forced to migrate too many countries around the world by oppression and famine and many later generations retain a deep emotional feeling for their country of origin.

Mr Hindle also said St Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland.

“St Patrick was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16.

“He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited for bringing Christianity.”

O’Reilly’s has partnered with some other businesses in celebrating St Patrick’s Day today, adding some popular Irish food items to their menus and serving some special Irish cocktails.

O’Reilly’s opens today from 4pm till 9pm to meet curfew requirements.

Mr Hindle and his family, also own Victoria Wines, Cafe Noir, Top Dog Bar & Grill, The Bad Dog Cafe and Dogfather.

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most important days on their annual calendar – a day for celebration.

Feedback: shreeya.verma@fijisun.com.fj