This St. Patrick's Day, be 'Irish from home' despite coronavirus cancellations

St. Patrick's Day will be very different this year in Calgary but people are still finding ways to celebrate.

The novel coronavirus has forced the isolation of thousands of people in this city, shuttered businesses and cancelled large gatherings — including St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

The Irish Cultural Society has cancelled all of its events, including concerts. Dancers and musicians are also staying home, and city officials urged Irish pubs to cancel their planned festivities.

As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, the Alberta government declared a state of emergency and ordered all bars to close immediately.

At city council on Monday, Mayor Naheed Nenshi urged that directive be followed, saying "St. Patrick's Day is cancelled."

Deirdre Halferty, honorary consul of Ireland in Calgary, says there are ways to mark the annual March 17 holiday without risking health and safety.

"It's not a normal year and we have to give recognition to that but we'll always have St. Patrick's Day," she told the Calgary Eyeopener on Tuesday. "We survived the Great Hunger. We will keep positive and carry on through this as well."

Be 'Irish from home'

Halferty has asked pubs and others to cancel events and not encourage people to gather, to avoid further spreading the coronavirus.

She notes in Ireland, governments and businesses are taking the caution seriously. Pubs are voluntarily closed and all parades are cancelled in the face of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus. The country had 169 cases on Monday, according to the World Health Organization.

"I was hoping people would calm down on their need to have green beer," Halferty said. "Nobody would be seen dead drinking green beer in Ireland."

In Alberta, there have been 74 confirmed cases so far, and officials have urged everyone to practise "social distancing" — staying away from other people so as not to spread the disease.

"Doesn't mean you still can't be Irish from home," Halferty said. "It calls on people to call on their creativity skills."

How to celebrate at home

You have to wear something green to work today, she says, and if nothing else, sign off your emails with Happy St. Patrick's Day.

For those with kids, she suggests building a leprechaun trap and doing a leprechaun hunt. As the lore goes, leprechauns are known to leave coins or candies behind in order to escape.

Get in the spirit by decorating your house in green and put shamrocks in the window. Turn on a few Irish films, such as Darby O'Gill and the Little People or The Commitments.

Some Calgary communities have organized "shamrock hunts." They're asking kids to make green shamrocks and put them in the window. Then families can walk around to spot the shamrocks, getting fresh air but without coming into contact with others.

In West Hillhurst, neighbours have made a map of homes taking part, so Stephanie Schubert took her two kids out to enjoy St. Patrick's Day in "the safest way possible."

"It's important to get the kids out in the sunshine and get some fresh air and stay connected to the community in some way during this time of crisis," she said.

They found about 10, and also talked about St. Patrick's Day at home before heading out, she said.

If you're homeschooling children, Halferty suggests taking an hour to read and learn about St. Patrick's Day. The older kids might learn about the politics of the country. Try an Irish writer.

For lunch and snacks, try making Irish cookies, soda bread or Irish stew. There's nothing more Irish than a cup of tea and soda bread, she says.

Turn on some Irish tunes, traditional or contemporary, from Ed Sheeran or Dervish.

Share pictures of your green outfits and face-painting with friends through social media.

Young people with the Irish Cultural Society and the Calgary Chieftains Gaelic Athletic Associations are offering to help people with groceries and other tasks during the outbreak.

"We're renowned for our hospitality and our smiles and our willingness to keep positive in the face of disaster," Halferty said.

If you know of a cancellation due to COVID-19, please contact calgarynewstips@cbc.ca.