POUGHKEEPSIE – Mahoney’s Irish Pub and Steakhouse was bustling with patrons on Thursday, their busiest day of the year. On the same day in 2020, a statewide order from then-Governor Andrew Cuomo essentially shut them down on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day.
With bagpipers and drummers joining Irish step dancers to entertain the all-day crowd, owner Emmett Woods was all smiles. “This is great,” he said through his thick brogue. “The pandemic put an enormous strain on our business, but it also kept people from having a good time. This looks like we are moving forward,” he said as he went around greeting the celebratory crowd.
In the Town of Poughkeepsie, Juan Murphy’s on Main Street was crowded with people enjoying the Irish holiday. Lia Gatanis, the exuberant owner was moving quickly to make sure the capacity crowd had everything they needed.
The crowd was also treated to a performance by the Orange County Firefighters Pipes & Drums that played in the center of the dining room. “This is what it’s all about,” said Gatanis. “Hopefully this marks the full return of life as we knew it before the pandemic.”
Orange County Firefighters Pipes and Drums performing at Juan Murphy’s:
