“My friends are the best friends

Loyal, willing and able,

Now let’s get to drinking!

All glasses off the table.”

 —  An Irish drinking toast

 FLEMING ISLAND — On St. Patrick’s Day, most who consider themselves Irish raise their glasses to friends as a way to turn words into an indelible salute.

That’s why the Hibernia Pub will observe the global celebration of Irish culture for four days starting March 17, the anniversary of Saint Patrick's death.

“We will kick it off on Friday, and we will have music and events on Saturday and Sunday, then on Monday, we will start with all of the festivities, food specials and drink specials,” said Chaz Raulerson, director of marketing at Fleming Island Golf Club and Hibernia Pub.

Oddly enough, St. Patrick, the patron saint, was born in the United Kingdom, not Ireland. Parades, special foods, music, dancing, lots of drinking and wide splashes of green mark the festive day.

Hibernia Pub is on Town Center Boulevard. The island and club were named after George Fleming, a descendant of Barons Slane of Ireland who immigrated to St. Augustine around 1790. The governor of Spanish East Florida granted him 1,000 acres, and he constructed a plantation called “Hibernia.”

Clay County has only three Irish-themed restaurants and pubs, so finding a way to "hooley" will be a chore.

Callahan’s Irish Bistro on Loch Rane Boulevard in Orange Park is one of them. It will extend its celebration to include Saturday, Sunday and Monday with live music, free giveaways, an indoor and outdoor bar and dining with food and drink specials, Irish dance lessons, plus visits from Bushmills and Proper No. Twelve representatives.

Oddly enough, the most common St. Patrick's Day tradition in the United States is corned beef and cabbage, but the Irish only used sausage and rabbit in their stews. Corned beef originated in New York City.

The party will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, and the menu will include classic Irish fare like corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and Irish Stew. Naturally, there will be plenty of Guinness and green beer.

In Keystone Heights, Stone’s Irish Pub, previously known as McHenry Irish Pub, has been a stalwart for nearly 20 years. Its St. Patrick’s party on NE Commercial Circle will start Monday at 11 a.m. and run until 10 p.m.

“We're going to be doing live music all day with Irish food and drink specials, with bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, Irish Stew, that kind of fun stuff,” bartender Bethany said. “Everyone, wear your best green stuff. That’s the day everyone’s Irish.”

Raulerson booked Jim Bragg for a three-hour set on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. to kick off the three-night St. Patrick’s festival at the Hibernia Pub.

“We have another local musician, Darren Ronan, from 6 to 9 (p.m.) on Saturday, and then we have Shane Myers on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. He’s a solid musician.”

The venue will have cornhole games, a pool table and a short Irish menu with traditional options, including Reuben spring rolls, giant pretzels with beer cheese, wings, fish and chips, Irish potato dippers, cheeseburgers and desserts. On Sunday and Monday, the pub will also serve green beer, Irish cocktails and Irish shots.

Raulerson said the establishment will have two bands on Monday.

While many will claim to be Irish for a day, they must return to reality – some with hangovers  – on Tuesday. So have a good day or “biodh la maith agat.”