Tag: ireland

St. Patrick’s Day celebrated in Balboa Park!

A big celebration of St. Patrick’s Day was held this afternoon in San Diego. The House of Ireland presented their annual lawn program in Balboa Park, complete with Irish food, Irish music, Irish dancing, and Irish dogs!

A huge crowd gathered for the event. The lawn at the International Cottages was filled with humanity and a sea of green!

As the cultural entertainment began, traditionally dressed performers arrived in a festive procession. Soon thereafter, the Cameron Highlanders turned up the energy with their stirring bagpipes and booming drums.

Performances by several groups would follow. Sprightly Irish dancing earned tremendous applause. Musicians played Irish tunes. Several friendly Irish Wolfhounds took the stage, and we learned about their history in Ireland–the wolves didn’t stand a chance. Then more colorful Irish dancing by young people…

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Smiles and Irish green in the big parade!

This morning the big annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in San Diego!

Almost a hundred separate entrants in the parade would entertain thousands of people lining sidewalks in Bankers Hill.

Can you believe it? Over the course of almost eleven years, this is the seventh (lucky?) time I’ve taken photos of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. And this year it was just as wonderful as ever!

What is it like before the parade begins, as smiling people gather for the joyful green spectacle?

These photos provide a glimpse…

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

World Lacrosse Championship action in San Diego!

The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship tournament is presently underway in San Diego. Thirty international teams are competing to play in the Gold Medal Game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, July 1. Learn more about the World Lacrosse Men’s Championship at their website here.

This afternoon I watched the first half of play between Uganda and France at San Diego State University. I know practically nothing about lacrosse, but quickly became excited by the fast-paced play. Fans cheered from the sidelines. Flags waved. I was impressed by the intensity, athleticism, passion and sportsmanship exhibited by both teams.

The lacrosse action was so rapid, in fact, that taking photographs was a challenge. I envy the skills of professional photographers who capture great moments with regularity.

If you love lacrosse or want to experience the sport for your first time, I suggest you watch these very high level games. You can find the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship schedule here.

So who won? When I left at halftime, the score was a close 4-3 in favor of France. I see they ultimately won the game 13-5.

Those four guys posing for my final photograph play for Ireland. They won earlier in the day in a thrilling double-overtime game! No wonder they were smiling!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

House of Ireland celebration in Balboa Park!

You know St. Patrick’s Day is coming up in San Diego, because the House of Ireland had their big lawn program this afternoon in Balboa Park!

What did I see?

Smiles throughout the big crowd! Lots of green! Irish coffee! Irish stew! Traditional baked goods! A rousing opening parade involving all of the event participants! The Cameron Highlanders with bagpipes and drums! Sprightly tunes! Energetic step dancing! Reels and jigs! The audience clapping along to the music!

If you missed it, I suggest you catch the House of Ireland lawn program next year!

I learned that San Diego Comhaltas is looking for new members. This group loves to perform Irish music and dance! Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional Irish culture!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Fun photographs for St. Patrick’s Day!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Please enjoy this selection of fun photographs taken in San Diego over the course of many years. All pertain to St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland or Irish pride. There’s a bit of green in all of them!

If you’d like to see photos from this year’s big St. Patrick’s Day parade in San Diego, check out my blog post from last weekend here!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Funny Irish pub signs in San Diego.

If you're lucky enough to be Irish, then you're lucky enough.
If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky enough.

St. Patrick’s Day is almost upon us! Here are a few warm and funny Irish pub signs that I’ve spotted while walking around downtown San Diego.

I can resist anything but temptation.
I can resist anything but temptation.

Sláinte! A toast to good luck and good health. Whatever your beverage, be sure and raise a glass in toast to St. Patrick, to the Irish and to yourself.
Sláinte! A toast to good luck and good health. Whatever your beverage, be sure and raise a glass in toast to St. Patrick, to the Irish and to yourself.

Here's to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!
Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!

Drink up! It makes other people more interesting. (I think I spotted this in front of an Irish pub. Or perhaps it was just an ordinary San Diego bar.)
Drink up! It makes other people more interesting. (I think I spotted this in front of an Irish pub. Or perhaps it was just an ordinary San Diego bar.)

Lovely day for a Guinness. Especially if you're a horse enjoying a nice leisurely ride.
Lovely day for a Guinness. Especially if you’re a horse enjoying a nice leisurely ride.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? Please visit Short Stories by Richard.

Irish pride on display at big St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Irish damsels on horseback linger before start of the 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Diego.
Very elegant Celtic damsels on horseback linger before start of the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Diego.

Here come a bunch of fun pics! I took these this morning as folks were getting ready for the big annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in San Diego. I saw all sorts of Irish pride on display. Lots of smiles. Lots of laughter. Enjoy!

Members of the 3rd West Cork Brigade were dressed in period costume to demonstrate their Irish pride.
Members of the 3rd West Cork Brigade were dressed in period costume to demonstrate their Irish pride.

Irish gentlemen in green jackets cross the grass at the west end of Balboa Park.
Irish gentlemen in green jackets cross the grass at the west end of Balboa Park.  The festival was just getting started.

An Old Irish Pub sign at the big St. Patrick's Day Festival next to the parade route.
An Old Irish Pub sign at the big St. Patrick’s Day Festival next to the parade route.

This funny fellow was carrying the Morning Paper down Sixth Avenue.
This funny fellow was carrying the Morning Paper down Sixth Avenue.

I see this friendly smiling clown every year at the parade!
I see this friendly smiling clown every year at the parade!

Young and old alike celebrate Ireland and wear the green.
Young and old alike celebrate Ireland and wear the green.

I saw lots of Irish Setters, of course.
I saw lots of Irish Setters, of course.

Someone watches as members of local United States Marine Corps band practice. Photo taken near Balboa Park's lawn bowling green.
Someone watches as members of local United States Marine Corps band rehearse. Photo taken near Balboa Park’s lawn bowling green.

Marine Band San Diego gets ready to participate in the 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Marine Band San Diego gets ready to participate in the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Irish dancing was being performed on one stage an hour before the parade got underway.
Irish dancing was being performed on one stage an hour before the parade got underway.

Bagpiper players and drummers form a circle as they practice for the big parade.
Bagpipe players and drummers form a circle as they practice for the big annual parade.

One of several large Irish Wolfhounds that were checking out the festivities.
One of several large Irish Wolfhounds that were checking out the festivities.

Some musicians get ready on a trailer beside the parade route. They're advertising Rope the Musical.
Some musicians get ready on a trailer beside the parade route. They’re advertising Rope the Musical.

And here are some old-fashioned penny-farthing enthusiasts.
And here are some old-fashioned penny-farthing enthusiasts.

Folks prepare their float for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It will feature a big orange shamrock.
Folks prepare their float for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It will feature a big orange shamrock.

The mascot of a local business gets a necklace of shiny green beads!
The mascot of a local business gets a necklace of shiny green beads!

Smiles, laughter, great fun, and lots of Irish pride.
Smiles, laughter, great fun, and lots of Irish pride.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? Please visit Short Stories by Richard.

Whirl of green life before St. Paddy’s parade!

St. Patrick's Day Parade participants with signs.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade participants with signs.

San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held this morning. It ran along Fifth and Sixth Avenue, on Bankers Hill just west of Balboa Park.

I captured a whole bunch of fun pics just prior to the parade’s start. There’s no shortage of the color green! All sorts of people and pets were gathering and preparing and positioning themselves for the exciting event!

People head up Sixth Avenue to watch the big annual parade.
People head up Sixth Avenue to watch the big annual parade.

Bagpipers in kilts assemble for the parade near Balboa Park.
Bagpipers in kilts assemble for the parade near Balboa Park.

A colorful calliope stands by near start of parade route.
A colorful calliope stands by near start of parade route.

Mounted participants in San Diego's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Mounted participants in San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Marines stand at the ready for the big event.
Cal Fire stands at the ready for the big event.

Girls anticipate marching on a sunny Saturday morning.
Girls anticipate marching on a sunny Saturday morning.

Junior Achievement kids hold THANK YOU spelled out for a photo.
Junior Achievement kids hold THANK YOU spelled out for a photo.

Hanging some Irish green tinsel.
Hanging some Irish green tinsel.

Last minute preparations on a School of Irish Dance float.
Last minute preparations on a School of Irish Dance float.

Another Smiling Irishman.
Another Smiling Irishman.

Gentlemen in capes and plumed hats hold flags.
Gentlemen in capes and plumed hats hold flags.

A band was playing on a float even before the parade started.
A band was playing on a float even before the parade started.

Kermit the Frog is proud to be green!
Kermit the Frog is proud to be green!

Big American Flag is ready on Sixth Avenue.
Big American Flag is ready on Sixth Avenue.

Another half hour until things really get rolling.
Another half hour until things really get rolling.

Clown's tie indicates Irish For a Day.
Clown’s tie indicates Irish For a Day.

Green-antlered hood ornament.
Green-antlered hood ornament.

Even dogs are wearing the green.
Even dogs are wearing the green.

San Diego Elks Lodge No. 168 and lots of shamrocks.
San Diego Elks Lodge No. 168 and lots of shamrocks.

A funny little wooden vehicle in line to start the parade.
A funny little wooden vehicle in line to start the parade.

Lincoln High School band members in green.
Lincoln High School band members in green.

St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Diego is a wonderful tradition.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Diego is a wonderful tradition.