By Jaimie Julia Winters
From rustic Irish soda bread to corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, a parade celebrating our Irish heritage, and a proper Irish toast, Kearny is marking St. Patrick’s Day with both old-world traditions and Irish-American favorites. Rooted in history, resilience, and a bit of folklore, these foods and customs offer residents plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday close to home.
Celebrate with a parade
The United Irish Associations of West Hudson will hold its 50th St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 15, 1 p.m., in Harrison on Harrison Avenue. It will then move north on Frank E. Rodgers Blvd., and ends with a review in front of Kearny Town Hall on Kearny Avenue. The parade will feature Kevin Quinn as the Grand Marshal, alongside Deputy Grand Marshals Ellen McGirr-Murray and Mike Conlon and over 50 groups, including pipe bands, marching bands, Irish dancers, and community organizations, traveling from Harrison through East Newark to Kearny.
Irish Soda Bread
Irish soda bread, a St. Patrick’s Day tradition, is a rustic, economical loaf rooted in 1830s Ireland. It uses baking soda and buttermilk as leavening agents instead of yeast. Traditionally associated with Irish resilience during the famine, it is a simple, dense, crusty bread often scored with a cross—said to offer protection or “let the fairies out.”
You can order Irish soda bread online from House of Ember at SupremeBakery.com for pickup at House of Ember, 155 Midland Ave.
Green Bagels
Jacobs Bros. Bagels in Chicago claims to have started the green bagel tradition during prohibition when their great uncle Louie O’Jacobs tossed a green beer into a vat of bagel dough during a police raid.
In Kearny, the Bagel Corner & Deli, located at 360 Belleville Turnpike, continues that tradition every year. Starting Saturday, March 14, they will offer green bagels.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage is more Irish-American than traditionally Irish. The dish originated in late-19th-century New York City as a budget-friendly substitute for bacon and cabbage after Irish immigrants discovered corned beef in Jewish delicatessens.
The Greeks, a longtime diner known for its Taylor ham, egg, and cheese sandwiches since 1968, will again serve the St. Patrick’s Day favorite. Call ahead at 201-991-9819 or visit in person at 461 Elm St. for dine-in or pickup.
The Kearny-Belleville Elks will serve a corned beef dinner on March 17, 6 p.m., for dine-in or take-out. Cost is $25 day or $20 in advance. They are located at 601 Elm St. in Kearny. Click here to order ahead.
Irish Potatoes
Irish potato candy originated in Philadelphia and has become a classic Irish-American confection. Sweet rather than savory, it contains coconut, cream, and cinnamon.
Though it resembles a small potato, it contains no actual potato. ShopRite and Acme typically carry Oh Ryan’s—the original confection—this time of year.
Fish and Chips
Though originally from England, fish and chips became popular in Ireland after Italian immigrant Giuseppe Cervi began selling them in Dublin in the 1880s. Today, it’s a staple takeaway dish often referred to as a “chipper.”
Annie Bruce Leitch and William McCurley began serving fish and chips at Thistle in Kearny years ago before moving to Lyndhurst, where their children now continue the tradition. Thistle is located at 442 Valley Brook Ave., Lyndhurst.
The Pipers Cove
Traditional Irish blessings are faith-based wishes for luck, protection, and prosperity. One of the most famous begins, “May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back,” invoking safe journeys and gentle blessings.
You can share a bit of that spirit this St. Patrick’s Day with gifts from The Pipers Cove, 212 Kearny Ave. The shop offers items such as an Irish Blessing pillow cover, a Claddagh ring plaque symbolizing friendship and love, Irish harp wall hangings, Celtic cross mugs, shamrock-embossed flasks, clan gifts, and harp and shamrock ornaments. It also stocks groceries and treats, including Barry’s Tea, Batchelor’s Irish Peas, HP Sauce for your fish and chips, Ambrosia custard and rice pudding, and assorted candies.
Spirits
If you’re planning an Irish toast this year, Kearny Plaza Discount Liquors carries a wide selection of Irish spirits, including Bunratty Mead, Bushmills Irish Whiskey, Baileys Irish Cream, Egan’s, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Éire Born Spirits, and—for those looking to splurge—Green Spot Château Léoville Barton Cask Irish Whiskey.
If life is good with a pint, they also stock Guinness Extra Stout.
Kearny Plaza Discount Liquors is located at 190 Passaic Ave.
