Shenanigans: Irish on Ionia brings hordes of revelers

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Thousands of merrymakers packed streets in downtown Grand Rapids for Michigan’s largest St. Patrick’s Day street party while others jammed spots such as Quinn & Tuite’s Irish Pub. Photos and videos.

Kicking Up Their Heels: Irish on Ionia drew thousands on Saturday. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)

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Some of the T-shirts at Saturday’s Irish on Ionia told the story.

“Let the shenanigans begin.” “Rub me for luck.” “We don’t get drunk, we get awesome.” “Let’s get shamrocked.” “I’m feelin’ lucky.” “Let’s get lucked up.” “What a long strange trip it’s been.”

Oh, and yes, “Kiss me, I’m Irish.”

Michigan’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day street party drew throngs of thousands to the sprawling area outside host HopCat in downtown Grand Rapids for the day-long celebration filled with the thunderous beats and bass of DJs and the jig-inducing, raucous Celtic strains of bands such as Detroit’s Stone Clover and Kalamazoo’s Belfast Gin.

Packed House: Things were hopping inside and out. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)

Green-clad revelers squeezed elbow-to-elbow inside the festival’s mammoth tent for performances on the “Whisky Disco Stage” while thousands more kicked up their heels, literally, in front of the outdoor Main Stage during the rambunctious event that ran from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Elsewhere, pubs filled to the gills all day and night with Irish music and charm, including Quinn & Tuite’s Irish Pub on Plainfield Avenue in Grand Rapids, where the likes of Colin Tobin, Conklin Ceili Band and more entertained an enthusiastic capacity crowd. Quinn & Tuite’s does it all again today — St. Patrick’s Day — starting at 1 p.m. with Colin Tobin & Ashley, followed by Conklin Ceili Band at 5 p.m. and Leprecons at 8:30 p.m. (View more West Michigan St. Patrick’s day events here.)

Check out photo galleries and videos from Saturday’s St. Paddy’s Day parties below.

PHOTO GALLERY: Irish on Ionia
Photos by Anthony Norkus