The Boys and the Black Stuff

There is only one word to describe second annual great Guinness Toast, brilliant!

The turnout was fantastic as over 80 Guinness lovers joined toastmaster Joe Patterson to raise their pints in a simultaneous world wide toast. There was a toast every hour on the hour beginning at 9pm and ending with a “guest toast” by Mr. Jack “Tiny” Redden” at 1am. There were numerous prizes given away, with more than 80 winners going home with t-shirts, framed pictures, flags, Guinness and Harp beer glasses, and even a Guinness pocket watch!

And did I mention we had music? The music was continuous throughout the evening as the Bogside Rogues(unplugged) featuring Bob Hurst on accordion and Tim Murphy on guitar kept folks tapping their toes and singing along to traditional Irish songs with an upbeat twist on many old favorites and some new ones too. Many of those in attendance asked the question, “When are these guys coming back?”. All I can say is "Watch this space!"

Pouring the perfect pints this night were bartenders Mark McCarthy and Cary Windisch did a fine job as well, they kept the black stuff flowing and the thirsty crowd satisfied  as four kegs of the Guinness were consumed in four hours.... could be a record.

Article by Joe Patterson.... BRILLIANT!

Photos by Jackie Patterson

The Great Guinness Toast

Joe Patterson had a dream. A dream to bring Irish people together on a Friday night in an Irish Club to drink Guinness. Brilliant!

As well as bringing us together for the evening he brought along our Guinness Rep. Lenny Walsh. Lenny in turn brought along Guinness apparel tee shirts, hats, glasses etc. In addition Joe produced series of Guinness themed framed pictures that were also raffled off during the evening .

Imagine you're the lone barman in a crowded bar were all folks want is Guinness. It's not like you can pour it like bud. Much thanks to Adam Borre for a job well done. Adam has now dedicated himself to perfecting the art of the perfect pour.

Of course the whole purpose of the evening was to celebrate The Great Guinness Toast. And so from 7:00pm til 11:00pm at each hour on the hour Joe Patterson and John Sheridan took turns honoring this tradition, some would say they took turns turning off the music to get long winded. Thanks be to God each toast was followed by a refreshing gulp of the black stuff and a lively round of raffles for Guinness memorabilia and apparel. Both Joe and John will soon release a recording of the toasts titled "The Guinness made me do it".

Lest you think the men had all the fun... think again. Barbara Wagle, Dotty Sullivan and Charlene Delaney were well and truly lit that night. Adam had to move quickly whenever he covered that part of the bar he was getting blinded by the 100 megawatt shamrocks they were wearing.

As the night wound down the coffees came out. Irish Coffees of course, courtesy of chef DeMaio. Like miniature hot caffeinated pints it just seemed that by the end of the night Joe's dream had become our reality and another event had found a place on the annual FSOS calendar. Brilliant!

Additional Photos by Jackie Patterson