The Grand Hotel's Irish bar was pumping with Guinness, live music and good cheer yesterday as lunchtime visitors celebrated St Patrick's Day.
Manager Neville Gorrie was handing out Guinness banana cake while his sister Linda Mancer played Irish tunes on the piano, accompanied by Ann Berntsen on piano accordion.
"I don't have any Irish ancestry that I'm aware of, but I enjoy playing these tunes," said Ann. "I play with a group called the Riverfolk and a Scottish band named Glencroft."
"There have been quite a few people celebrating birthdays - one was a lovely red-haired Irish lady who turned 80 a couple of weeks ago but had another celebration here today," said Mr Gorrie.
There were further St Patrick's festivities at the Grand last night with a live band, competitions and spot prizes.
-St Patrick is believed to have introduced Christianity to Ireland around 450AD and March 17 is possibly the date of his death. In Ireland, the day is both a public and a religious holiday.