St. Patrick’s Day events and festivities will be taking place all across London this weekend but Islington might be one of the best areas of the city to enjoy them – the borough has a long tradition of Irish immigration, with the 2011 census showing that it has the second-largest Irish population in London (second only to Brent). And it has the Irish pubs to prove it – here are our choices.
The Auld Triangle
52 St Thomas’ Road, Finsbury Park, London N4 2QW
This Finsbury Park local holds regular traditional Irish music nights throughout the year and on match days it’s popular with Arsenal fans. This weekend expect it to be filled with Ireland and England fans for the last match of this year’s Six Nations tournament. And if you’re there, try singing along to the pub’s namesake – the prison song ‘The Auld Triangle’.
The Boston Arms
178 Junction Road, London N19 5QQ
This landmark Irish pub just opposite Tufnell Park station with be showing Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) games and the Six Nations rugby during the day, and hosting cult traditional bands at night (plus a DJ).
The Hemingford Arms
158 Hemingford Road, London N1 1DF
Sister to the much-loved Faltering Fullback (which sadly isn’t technically in Islington), The Hemingford Arms near Offord Road is warm and welcoming. For St. Patrick’s Day this year there will be live music from 5pm and Irish food all day long.
The Mother Redcap
664 Holloway Road, Archway, London N19 5SE
This local favourite in Archway has been run by the same family for years and is known as the friendliest pub in the area. Go for the old-school service and stay for the open-mic session.
The Twelve Pins
263 Seven Sisters Road, N4 2DE London
The Twelve Pins is another Arsenal fan favourite with plenty of rave reviews about its Guinness. They’ve got a whole weekend of St. Patrick’s Day fun planned, finishing with live music from John Davies on Sunday evening.
Wherever you end up celebrating, have a great St. Patrick’s Day, and don’t forget to sing this before the end of the night!
