Tastemakers: Lucky Leprechaun/ Michael Collins-Irish Whiskey

March 14, 2007

Lucky Leprechaun
This is the time of the year when everyone is Irish. While celebrating with beverages is at the focal point of St. Patrick’s Day, music, dance and food are of equal importance. In Ireland there is less pomp and circumstance and the celebration is quieter and marked by prayer, along with a good meal, a pint or two of beer, or a jigger of whiskey. Here in the States we celebrate this holiday like we invented it, and in many ways the American Irish did create the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, as we know it today.
Here are a few suggestions on making the most of the St. Patrick’s season and celebrating the Irish in all of us: First, this is a religious day for many, so try being charitable and purchase one of the Lucky Leprechauns (see photo) available at area pubs, eateries, party stores and gas stations. Theprogram was started 15 years ago by the local Ancient Order of Hiberniansand has collected close to $200,000 for the Father Fred Foundation (100% of every dollar collected goes to the Foundation). If you want to get your beer, food, music and dancing fix all at one event, try the Lucky Leprechaun Ball on Saturday at the Great Lakes Culinary Institute, hosted by Song of the Lakes, which includes a great meal prepared by Chef Bob Rodriguez (see ad on page 29). Proceeds also benefit the Father Fred Foundation. Every local pub and eatery has some sort of celebration and in Traverse City the downtown pubs have a pub walk on Friday. On Saturday the Hibernians will celebrate with the crowning of the Queen and selection of the Lord Mayor and Prince and Princess at the Blue Tractor, starting at 11 am, followed by the St. Patrick’s Day Parade through town, starting around 1 pm.
If a quieter celebration is more your style, here are the essentials for a stay at home Irish feast: Corned beef is a must and the best is O’Brien’s - available from Louie’s Meats, (231) 946-4811 (order early). Irish soda bread may be found at Bay Bread, (231) 922-8022. For potatoes and cabbage visit your favorite grocer. As for drink, Guinness Stout is the obvious, but give one of the local craftbrewers a try. North Peak Brewery has growlers of Shirley’s Irish Stout. For whiskey, besides Jameson, John Power is a personal favorite, and if you want to toast the independence of Ireland, try Michael Collins (see Bottoms Up). Finally, there is nothing Irish about green beer, but if you want a green tongue, this is the best way to accomplish that. Cheers!


Michael Collins - Irish Whiskey
May your glass be ever full, may the roof over your head be always strong,and may you be half an hour in heaven before the devil knows you’re dead.”
This is one of the most famous Irish toasts of all time. Ireland has a lot to toast. The country is enjoying one of the strongest economies in the European Union and continues to be one of the top tourism destinations in the world. If the Irish were to raise a glass to toast anyone in thanks, it would be “The Big Fellow,” Michael John “Mick” Collins, the Irish revolutionary leader who was the primary architect of the Treaty of 1921 that set the foundation for the modern Irish state. Collins was killed at the age of 31 in 1922 during the Irish Civil War. An excellent movie, “Michael Collins,” staring Liam Neeson as Collins and Julia Roberts as Collins’ fiancée, Kitty Kiernan, was released 10 years ago and is great to watch during this St. Patrick’s Day season.
Toasting Collins and his comrades is best done with his namesake Irish whiskey. Made at the only independent Irish-owned distillery in Ireland, Michael Collins is available in a blend or single malt. Both have an aroma of honey, citrus, and malt notes. The blend has a taste that is clean and honey sweet with a fresh oak finish. The single malt has subtle smoky notes and a creamy vanilla finish. The elegant bottle for Michael Collins Whiskey is inspired by world-renowned Irish crystal. The signature on the neck of the bottle is a replica of Collins’ signature on the actual Treaty of 1921, which he signed with his Irish name Mcieál Ó Coileáin. Enjoy on the rocks, or in your favorite whiskey drinks. Sláinte (Irish Gaelic for “Cheers”, pronounced “Slawn-cha”) to Michael Collins and to another great Irishman - Bono of U2 - for his work in third-world countries in improving their economic plight.