Virginia Loves the Irish!

Many Irish immigrants worked in Virginia's coal mines, built the railroads, and worked in factories and shipyards. A good number of the Scots-Irish were from Ulster in Northern Ireland settled in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia regions, where they farmed the fertile lands and raised livestock and racehorses. There's no better way to discover the Scots-Irish influence in Virginia than the Wilderness Road.
» More About the Scots-Irish in Virginia

All Virginia Things Irish:
Events | Pubs | Goods | Attractions
Find Your Irish Roots in Virginia

 

» St. Patrick's Day Events

Central Virginia
Lynchburg - Mar 6 - Cherish the Ladies in Concert
Hanover - Mar 17 - Hanover Tavern Heritage Music Series: Turf Fire performing Ireland in Song and Story
Nellysford - Mar 20-21 - St. Patrick's Day Open House at Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery

Northern Virginia
Vienna - Mar 2 - Hothouse Flowers - a rollicking Irish rock band
Alexandria - Mar 6 - Irish Heritage Festival
Alexandria - Mar 6 - St. Patrick's Celebration & Parade
Vienna - Mar 6, 7 - Celtic Crossroads - seven musicians jumpstart traditional Celtic songs
Fredericksburg - Mar 13 - St. Patrick's Day Parade
Fairfax - Mar 14 - Eileen Ivers - "Beyond the Bog Road" - an homage to the rich and tireless passage of the native Irish people
Vienna - Mar 15 - Altan - traditional Irish music ambassadors to the world
Vienna - Mar 17 - Battlefield Band - versatile Celtic quartet

Tidewater/Hampton Roads
Norfolk - Mar 12 - Shamrockin In Ghent (aka: Greening of Ghent)
Williamsburg - Mar 13, 17, 20 - James River Plantation St. Patrick's Day Progressive Tour
Virginia Beach - Mar 19-21 - Yuengling Shamrock Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, 8K and Sports Fest

Shenandoah Valley
Luray - Mar 13 - Iona Celtic Band
Roanoke - Mar 13 - Roanoke's Saint Patrick's Day Celebration and McDonald's St. Pat's Parade
Harrisonburg - Mar 17 - St. Patrick's Day Dinner Lecture

Southern Virginia
Clarksville - Mar 17 - St. Patrick's Day Celebration at Cooper's Landing Inn & Traveler's Tavern
Martinsville - Mar 25 - Piedmont Arts On Stage! Presents Cherish the Ladies Celtic Celebration

More Events in March

» Irish Pubs in Virginia

Learn to say 'Sláinte!' which sounds like 'It's a Lawn Chair' and means 'Cheers!'

Central Virginia
Richmond - Capital Ale House offers more than 250 different beers from around the world.
Richmond - Legend Brewing Company is a microbrewery providing true premium beers. Great deck overlooking the James River, too!
Glen Allen - Capital Ale House at Innsbrook features more than 250 differnt bottled beers along with 77 drafts from around the world. Play darts, pool or watch a game on TV.
Richmond - Sine' Irish Pub & Restaurant is an overgrown "family room" where the patrons meet to share the latest news, laugh, and oftentimes solve the world's problems. In the Gaelic language, Sine' (Shin-a') means "this is it!" And after visiting, you will agree!

Heart of Appalachia
Cedar Bluff - Highland Bull Pub offers more than 100 varieties of beer, and serves as an oasis for bikers on the Heart of Appalachia Bike Route.

Northern Virginia
Alexandria - Pat Troy's Ireland's Own Restaurant and Pub proudly serves excellent traditional Irish and American cuisine daily.
Great Falls - The Old Brogue offers traditional Irish fare along with the best beverages from all over the world.
Remington - Inn at Kelly's Ford Restaurant is elegant dining prepared by Chef Jean Paul Pessaint. Enjoy Pelham's Pub downstairs.
Sterling - O'Malley's Sports Pub and Grill features their famous Signature Flat Iron steaks and 10 brews on tap, plus popular local microbrews.
Stafford - Paddy's 32 Restaurant & Pub features Irish favorites and steaks. Live entertainment Thursday-Saturday.
Warrenton - McMahon's Irish Pub offers a variety of delicious traditional Irish and American entrees.
Warrenton - Molly's Irish Pub & Family Restaurant offers freshly made meals, live entertainment four nights a week & loads of craic (the irish word meaning "good fun")!

Shenandoah Valley
Harrisonburg - Cally's Restaurant & Brewing Company has live jazz and bluegrass!
Harrisonburg - The Pub has food, live music and pool tables.
Middletown - Irish Isle not only has Irish cuisine, but also live Irish music Thurday-Sunday evenings.
Winchester - Piccadilly Brew Pub is in a restored grocery warehouse. Enjoy three beers made on the premises.

Hampton Roads
Portsmouth - Baron's Pub and Restaurant in historic Olde Towne and features live entertainment Thursday-Saturday nights.
Portsmouth - Paddy O'Brian's has live bands, pool and other entertainment.
Suffolk - Baron's Pub is the place to enjoy the Baron burger, pizza, scallops or oyster salad.
Suffolk - Kelly's Tavern features shamrock decor and great pub grub.
Yorktown - Yorktown Pub features live music on weekends.
Phoebus - Sarah's Irish Pub is the home of the nickel draught, emerald knife and fifty cent chicken dinner.

Blue Ridge Highlands
Marion - Lucky Dog Irish Pub has dartboards, large screen TVs, wireless Internet, and great art!

 

» Irish Goods

Hampton Roads - Waterford in Williamsburg
Northern Virginia - Irish Walk in Alexandria features a wide range of authentic Irish merchandise, including walking hats and caps, mohair blankets and capes as well as Aran cableknit sweaters. Also, find Celtic jewelry, fragrances, china and crystal.
Shenandoah Valley - Celtic Tides in Lexington has fine imports from Ireland as well as from Scotland and the British Isles.
Shenandoah Valley - Ladles & Linens in Lexington offers fine Irish linens and more.

 

» Irish Attractions

Hampton Roads - Busch Gardens in Williamsburg captures the essence of Ireland, from warm-hearted people and lush landscapes to ancient castles and fine Irish wares. Guests visiting Busch Gardens get a taste of true Irish spirit. This adaptation of an authentic Irish hamlet features a brightly-colored tavern, shops, stone castles, blooming flower boxes, and contemporary Celtic-inspired entertainment. Adventure abounds in Ireland with Europe in the Air, a white-knuckle, simulated motion adventure ride that propels visitors on a journey throughout Europe.

Shenandoah Valley - The Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton features four countries and 300 years of history! One of the most popular attractions is the Northern Ireland farmstead of the Scots-Irish in the early 1700s with its thached one-story farm house!

More Scots Irish Sites in Virginia

 

» Find Your Irish Roots

Central Virginia - The Library of Virginia in Richmond is the place to start! Family historians can find county records, such as wills, deeds, and marriage bonds, military service records, church records, Land Office records and tax records! Also, the library has census records and large collections of genealogical notes and charts.