Fanrealm.com

By Priscilla R

Trinity Hall Irish Restaurant and Pub, Dallas TX

Trinity Hall Irish Restaurant and Pub, in Dallas, TX, is located in Mockingbird Station, 5321 East Mockingbird. I stopped by recently to have lunch after I checked out their website www.trinityhall.tv. Everything on their menu sounded delicious. I was after an Irish meal, and the corned beef and cabbage was perfect!

The restaurant has an extensive menu and includes much more than Irish dishes. The beer and whiskey lists are something to behold! The website tells the story about activities there…lots of Celtic music and musicians, soccer on the television. There is live music four nights a week – I’m just sorry I missed out on that! That will be my priority the next time I visit Trinity Hall.

There is a calendar on their website of musicians scheduled to play at the Dallas location through December. It would really be fun to drop in for the music and visit with friends. Mockingbird Station can be found in an area with public transportation, a huge free parking garage downstairs with elevators to the upper level, and access to a major highway. I highly recommend Trinity Hall to anyone visiting Dallas or to those who live there and are looking for a new place to enjoy a Celtic experience!

Trinity Hall just had the grand opening of their second location, 305 Central Expressway North, Allen, TX on December 5. Check out the Trinity Hall Allen tab on the website as more activities are being added.

My thanks to Dallas Pub Manager Matt Guttierez for his hospitality.

On our recent trip to Portland, Biddy McGraw’s was recommended to us by the good folks at cdbaby.

This is a great pub located at 6000 NE Glisan in Portland. One of our group, who had recently returned from Ireland, said she felt like she was back there when walking into Biddy’s. There is a lot of atmosphere. We were there in the early afternoon so it was not hopping yet. It worked out well for us because we had the handsome bartender, Sean, all to ourselves. He was very friendly and allowed us to wander around all we wanted taking pictures. He even explained the difference between lager and stout to me but after a Guinness or two, I seem to have forgotten what he said. Guess I need to go back for a refresher course as soon as I can. Next time we will hit it when the live music is playing which happens pretty much every evening except Tuesday which is Trivia night. Biddy’s is not to be missed next time you are in Portland or for your next pub crawl for residents. The food is great and they make you feel at home right away. This is everyone’s fantasy neighborhood pub.

Looking into the history of the name Biddy McGraw I came across a song of the same name. I can’t swear the two have anything to do with one another but I am betting there is some sort of loose connection. I found a few versions of the song, one was attributed to songwriter Matt McGinn. Be sure to check out his version also but here is the other version I found.

Biddy McGraw

Oh, let me tell you of a story that will give you a shock,
A story ’bout a murder on St. John’s Dock;
The person in question was Biddy McGraw,
And she strangled two sailors with the straps of her bra.

Too rah hoo rah hah, fiddle dee da ra,
Too rah too rah too rah hah.

Well, they tried to dope her with foreign liquor,
But even then they couldn’t lick her;
She remembered she was told by her ma and her da,
To keep both hands on the straps of yer bra.

Too rah hoo rah hah, fiddle dee da ra,
Too rah too rah too rah hah.

So she wrapped those straps around the big fellers head,
And she threw him in the river like a crust of bread;
Then the small feller laughed and he said, “Hee Haw”,
So she stuffed his gob with the rest of her bra.

His face turned purple and before he fell,
She picked up her miniskirt and ran like hell.

Too rah hoo rah hah, fiddle dee da ra,
Too rah too rah too rah hah.

She went home that night ’bout a quarter to one,
Happy and contented with a job well done;
She told her story to her ma and her da,
They said, “T’anks be to God you were wearin’ yer bra!”

Too rah hoo rah hah, fiddle dee da ra,
Too rah too rah too rah hah.

Now all you ladies who go walking late at night,
Don’t keep the straps of yer bra too tight;
Just remember the story of Biddy McGraw,
And keep both yer hands on the straps of yer bra.

Too rah hoo rah hah, fiddle dee da ra,
Too rah too rah too rah hah.

Be sure to stop by Biddy’s and lift a pint or two. Tell Sean the biddies from Fanrealm sent you. The phone number is (503) 233-1178 and the website is biddymcgraws.com

Friday nights’ entertainment, Grafton Street, is a trio of incredibly talented musicians, singing and playing traditional Irish songs. The bar area was packed and noisy as you would expect, but not so loud as to drowned out the music. Guests were dancing and clapping and all appeared to be having a grand time, as was the band.

All in all, Kells lives up to its reputation for being the destination when in the Portland area. I would highly recommend stopping by Kells for a pint, some pub grub, a wee meal, outstanding entertainment and most assuredly a hearty helping of Irish hospitality. All are available and waiting for you at Kells-Portland.

Those of you in the Raleigh area are probably familiar with the great pub/restaurant. If not, check out their website http://www.tnnirishpub.com/ Great food, lots of great Irish music and lots of beer. What’s not to like?

If you have not yet made Halloween plans why not go stop by at some of the non stop events they have planned from Oct 30 – Nov 5. Something different each night. Tonight local bands will be doing a Rocky Horror Picture Show tribute. Go in costume. There will be prizes. The Friday night event sounds like a great time with Inish Cairde and The NEW Ghosts of Erin. Saturday night they have the Irish Wolfhounds and several other bands lined up. Great live music is always on tap at Tir Na Nog but this weekend sounds like they will really outdo themselves.

Tir Na Nog is located on 219 South Blount Street in downtown Raleigh just follow the sounds of the great Irish music or the smell of the great Irish food to find them. Oh and the beer. Did I mention the beer? They have everything you would expect and lots of micro brew. So go and enjoy the fun and be sure and tell them where you heard about it.

Slainte