Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Hatboro, Horsham

Five hams, six or eight heads of cabbage and countless potatoes: That’s the recipe for James Kinney’s feast.

And, on Saturday, Kinney, owner of Towey’s Tavern, 117 S. York Road in Hatboro, will begin prepping his free St. Patrick’s Day buffet for the following day. Sunday morning, Kinney said he’ll begin to “brew” it and the food will be ready for the bar’s noon opening.

“It’s the traditional Irish thing,” Kinney said, adding that Irish people have been known to eat corned beef instead because it’s less expensive than ham. “I prefer the ham.”

If ham and cabbage isn’t reason enough to stop by Towey’s, Kinney’s wife, Trish, offers another incentive. 

“Everyone working will have kilts on,” she said.

Besides garb to make Irish eyes smile and fare to fill the bellies of many lads and lasses, Kinney said his bar’s St. Patrick’s Day (weekend) festivities include a DJ Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., prizes, giveaways, baby Guinness shots for $3.50 and $1 well drinks from 10 p.m. to midnight.

“Guiness is going to be a big beer for that day,” Kinney said.

Throughout Hatboro and Horsham, other establishments are ringing in St. Patrick’s Day with special eats and drinks. Here are some highlights:

• Red Lion Diner, 1520 Easton Road in Horsham, Irish stew as well as ham and cabbage available
• Parkside Café, 935 Horsham Road in Horsham, has Irish potato pancakes on the menu to commemorate St. Patrick's Day, according to cook Mike McLaughlin
• New Galaxy Diner, 43 N. York Road in Hatboro, has corned beef or ham with cabbage available after 3 p.m., according to a signboard outside of the business. 
• Tonelli’s Pizza Pub, 278 Easton Road in Horsham, has green “Eat Like an Italian … Drink Like the Irish” T-shirts available for purchase. On tap, the restaurant has Harp and Guiness. “We are doing layered pints, Black Velvet, Half and half, Black and Blue, Black and Tan,” Tonelli’s owner Chip Randa said.
• Joe’s Pizza, 39 S. York Road in Hatboro, is making a green crusted “Irish” pizza on Saturday and Sunday.
• The newly opened Horsham Pub, 1144 Horsham Road in Horsham, will have a “lineup of Irish whiskeys,” as well as Guinness, owner Joe Wade said. The family pub will also have ham and cabbage, he said. 
• Quig's Pizza, 315 N. York Road in Hatboro, will have ham and cabbage, Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage, as well as "green beer" on Sunday according to owner Amy Quigley. "It's complimentary," Quigley said of the beer. Other Irish-themed fare available Sunday includes "shamrock pizza," Irish potatoes, Irish cream and parfaits, Quigley said. 

Do you know of other St. Patrick's Day events or specials in Hatboro or Horsham? Tell us in the comments.