Kennedy To Be At Newton's Third St. Patrick's Political Roast

NEWTON, MA — When you think of things Irish and St. Patrick's Day around Newton, the first thing to pop into thought might be Dunn-Gaherin's Irish pub in Newton's Upper Falls. For good reason: the old-world meets new-world establishment tucked away on Elliot Street is now home to a traditional St. Patrick's Day breakfast and political roast.

Break out the shamrocks, the green ties and the puns. Friday, March 15 the pub will be hosting the third-annual "Irish breakfast" of tea and coffee and Irish bread complete with a who's-who of Newton's political world: Look for first timer Congressmen Joseph Kennedy. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, city councilors including Marc Laredo, and Sen. Cindy Creem are expected to return and to be hob nobbling with the best of them.

The event two years ago was planned in 48 hours, said Reilly. Dunn-Gaherin's owner Seana Gaherin had the idea and then Jerry Reilly of Nomadic Theatre fame and Chris Osborne of Better Life Food threw the event together. It went well. Last year they gave themselves a bit more time and it still went well.

Although there will be food treats and coffee, the main breakfast event is the political roast.

Politicians will take the mic for a couple of minutes each and so, too, will a couple of cheeky MCs. Chairman of the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce Greg Reibman and City Councilor Josh Krintzman will be the master of ceremonies on the microphones and ensure everyone feels included and picked on in friendly fashion.

"The biggest most obvious difference this year is Joe Kennedy is coming this year," said Reilly.

Like last year, speakers will have about 2 minutes to speak, or sing (and there will be a few musical contributions), or dance.

"Every year it's a pretty loose affair. It's not carefully scripted," he said. "It's always a bit of a line up into the unknown, which I kind of love."

But said Reilly, folks are encouraged to leave the serious stuff at home.

"Basically people are supposed to be having fun and no one is supposed to get too serious. If someone talked politics and policy we'd probably boo them off the stage," laughed Reilly.

"I love it because politics - any kind of politics- it's all about people disagreeing about stuff and trying to figure things out and it can get tense and people can get grumpy," he said. "This event puts it all aside and says come and have some fun and poke a little fun at people."

Check out how last year's went:

Newton St. Patrick's Day 2018 Political Roast [Photos]

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Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).