Old Bethpage Village Presents 1880s St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Including Grand Limerick Contest

Old Bethpage Village Restoration will again celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in grand 19th-century style, complete with the popular “Grand Limerick Contest,” announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. The program takes place on two successive Sundays, March 9 and 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The range of activities includes traditional Irish music (played on Uilleann bagpipes) and dance; a magic lantern show featuring an authentic 19th-century lantern and beautiful hand-painted antique slides; a challenging “shamrock hunt,” with clues placed throughout the Village; and Irish foods, some prepared in the Village’s brick beehive ovens. In addition, visitors can meet a Civil War “veteran” from New York’s famous 69th Infantry Regiment, formed in 1861 and consisting at that time almost entirely of Irish immigrants.

The Grand Limerick Contest is one of the highlights of the celebration, with one contest held on each Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Visitor Center auditorium. The limericks cover three categories (“Things Irish,” “About Long Island” and “Best Overall Limerick”) and are divided into two groups: “grown-ups” (15 and over) and children (14 and under). Limericks are read aloud by authors, who need only bring their work to the event.

“Everyone has a great time at the contest, and many of the limericks are quite funny and imaginative,” says OBVR Site Director and Curator Jim McKenna. “The only request we make is that contestants ensure that their limericks are family-friendly.”

Old Bethpage Village Restoration provides visitors with a unique and wonderful opportunity to step back in time and experience life in a recreated mid-19th-century American village set on 209 acres. Hours are as follows: Wed. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sat. – Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Entrance fees are $7 (children 4 - 14); $7 (seniors, volunteer firefighters); and $10 (adults). It is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage; for more information, call 516-572-8400.