News / Life / Clark County Life

Clark County has strong Irish presence

Second most commonly reported ancestry in county gears up for St. Patrick’s Day

By Patty Hastings, Columbian Social Services, Demographics, Faith

Published: March 16, 2017, 6:04am

Amelia Rice, from Lake Shore Elementary School, marches in the 2015 Children's Cultural Parade in Vancouver. (Columbian files)

Irish is the second most commonly reported ancestry in Clark County, behind German. Nearly 12 percent of the population, or 51,755 people, claimed Irish ancestry, according to the 2015 American Community Survey estimates published by the Census.

About 10 percent of the nation’s population claims Irish heritage. However, it’s higher in certain areas, such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where around 20 percent of residents claim Irish heritage. In some areas of Massachusetts, more than 50 percent of people claim to be Irish.

Irish-born people are few and far between in Clark County. Only a few dozen residents have emigrated here from Ireland. When it comes to Europeans moving to Clark County, it’s more likely they’re from the United Kingdom, Germany or the Netherlands, according to Census data.

If you want to fly to Dublin today and catch Ireland’s festivities, it’ll run you at least $880 (if you’re lucky).

St. Patrick’s Day Events in Clark County

Hough St. Paddy’s Day Parade

• What: Festive parade winds through Main Street to McLoughlin Boulevard and circles back to Hough Elementary; 360-313-2100 or www.hough.vansd.org.

• When: 12:30 to 2 p.m. Friday.

• Where: Hough Elementary School, 1900 Daniels St., Vancouver.

Latte Da’s St. Patrick’s Day party

• What: Music by On a Lark and the Fort Vancouver Pipe Band, raffle prizes, Reuben sandwiches and Guinness beer; all ages are welcome; 360-448-7651 or www.lattedacoffeehouse.com.

• When: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday.

• Where: Latte Da, 205 E. 39th St., Vancouver.

St. Patrick’s Day music and movie

• What: Fort Vancouver Pipe Band plays Scottish and Irish tunes, showing of “The Quiet Man;” 360-816-0352 or www.kigginstheatre.net/movies/the-quiet-man.

• When: 7 p.m. Friday.

• Where: Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver.

Irish music, dance and culture at the library

• What: Learn the history of Irish music and dance and watch Molly Malone Dancers perform; 360-906-4720.

• When: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

• Where: Cascade Park Community Library, 600 N.E. 136th Ave., Vancouver.

Vancouver Firefighters Pipes and Drums pub tour

• What: The pipes and drums group will play music at local pubs. Schedule and locations at www.vffpd.com.

• When: Friday and Saturday afternoon and evening.

St. Patrick’s Day at Loowit

• What: Music from The Whiskey Achievers, photo booth and happy hour prices on Irish-style beers; 360-566-2323 or www.loowitbrewing.com.

• When: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.

• Where: Loowit Brewing Co., 507 Columbia St., Vancouver.

St. Patrick’s Day bash at BackRoads

• What: Irish food options include bangers and mash, beef stew with cheddar biscuits and Irish whisky cake; open mic night; 360-686-8222 or www.facebook.com/backroadsfoodandspirits.

• When: 8 p.m. Friday.

• Where: BackRoads Food and Spirits, 303 N. Amboy Ave., Yacolt.

St. Patrick’s weekend at Mill Creek

• What: Menu options include corned beef and cabbage with Irish whisky and cherry bread pudding. Fort Vancouver Pipe Band 4 p.m. Friday. Vancouver Firefighters Pipes and Drums 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; 360-723-5223 or www.millcreekpub.com.

• When: Friday and Saturday.

• Where: Mill Creek Pub, 1910 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground.

St. Patrick’s Day at Doomsday

• What: $4 pints of green beer, raffle, music by A Foot Ahead from 8 to 10 p.m.; 360-503-7649 or www.doomsdaybrewing.com.

• When: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday.

• Where: Doomsday Brewing Safe House, 1919 Main St., Vancouver.

St. Patrick’s Day at Shanahan’s

• What: The Irish pub will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish beers, corned beef hash and live music; 360-735-1440 or www.shanahanspubvancouver.com.

• When: Open until 2 a.m.

• Where: Shanahan’s Pub and Grill, 209 W. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver.

Whether you’re Irish or not, there are many ways to locally celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Friday and through the weekend. We may not dye the Columbia River green, but Vancouver has its popular Paddy Hough Parade. This will be the 26th year of the parade where Hough Elementary students, staff and neighbors get dressed up and parade along Main Street to celebrate Patrick (Paddy) Hough, who was a teacher and principal. He was born in Tipperary, Ireland, on St. Patrick’s Day in 1846. Hough Elementary School was built 16 years after he died.

Check out our coverage of the parade in Saturday’s paper.

St. Patrick’s Day Events in Clark County

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