Happy St. Patrick’s Day, or as they say in Gaelic, “Beannachta+¡ na F+¬ile P+ídraig oraibh!” Yes, it’s the day when everyone is Irish for a day, and the real Irish are ashamed of their new countrymen. However, while today is the official St. Patrick’s Day holiday, the celebration started this past Saturday (morning) in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The tremendous anticipation in the Lackawanna Valley and beyond for one of the country’s largest parades in honor of St. Patrick was finally fulfilled. It featured top-notch bagpipers and dogs with little green hats. And, of course, what do people of all ethnicities love almost as much as a parade with a guy taking a shower on a float in the winter? Drinking! All of Scranton’s downtown hotspots, like Tink’s, Farley’s, and the Bog, had lines out the door spilling over into the street. However, the best place to experience wholesome Irish flare and fun, as is proven year after year, was the Silhouette. Known for its acceptance of all kinds of people (if you know what I mean), this bar had no line, no cover, and no waiting for a drink! The characters from Fowler’s morning bash filled the place with the most Irish cheer this side of Malahide Castle. Even Irishmen Andy McSquaggs and Austin O’Houlihan made the trek to experience it all firsthand.