NOVEMBER 2008
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 27
Some of Seattle's Great Irish Pubs, Shops and Restaurants
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
I recently took a flying visit to Seattle to visit some old friends of The Celtic Connection and meet some new ones. I always return home energized after a visit to the Evergreen State.
As the Quick Shuttle bus wove its way through the early morning rush hour traffic, I was amazed to see so many building cranes up and construction taking place throughout the city. Always an encouraging economic sign for all sectors of the economy.
Mayo-born Finian Rowland of the Seattle Irish Heritage Club was my chauffeur on my visit and he drove me from one end of Seattle to the other on my whirlwind visit.
Finian is a great admirer of the late President John F. Kennedy and it's amazing how he can not only remember but recite word-for-word some of the more powerful speeches that John F. Kennedy delivered.
Galway Traders
A trip to Seattle wouldn't be complete for me without a visit to Galway Traders.
This charming shop is actually a house where each of the rooms have been transformed into treasure troves filled with exquisite items and beautiful gift ideas.
Each room has its own particular theme. For instance, one of the rooms is dedicated to books and music; another is for Celtic wedding items and gifts, including shawls, tweed caps, crushing hats, and Aran sweaters.
There is a Scottish and Welsh room; lots of Celticjewellery and Claddagh rings along with teas, jams, cookies and chocolates.
For the children there is a good selection of Celtic books and jigsaw puzzles, and children's hard and soft Irish dance shoes.
It's a great time of the year to be visiting Galway Traders with all the exciting merchandise coming in from overseas for the holiday season.
Some of the beautiful and unusual Christmas items that have been received, include a dolmen nativity set and a hand-carved leprechaun chess set.
Early one morning, I met with owners Eveline and Hugh Murray at Galway Traders. They are both such warm and welcoming people that you really have the feeling you're visiting their home.
visits that Eveline was inspired to open an Irish import store.
Eileen Kilgren, who has worked at Galway Traders for over 11 years, has just returned from a holiday in Ireland.
Eileen is a great resource of all things Irish, she is a member of the Gaelic Language Choir, and has also published the Celtic Directory of the Pacific Northwest.
The 90-year old house that is Galway Traders has its own Irish background. Shortly after signing the closing papers for the house purchase, the Murrays noticed shamrocks adorning the eaves.
Years later Eileen did some research on the house and discovered that it had been owned by Irish immigrants.
When you visit Galway Traders to search out that special Celtic gift, leave yourself plenty of time to browse from room to room. You might just find that rare Celtic item or a book for yourself.
Galway Traders is located in Seattle at 7518- 15th Avenue, N.W. Ballard. For more information, call (206) 784-9343.
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Fado's Irish Pub and Restaurant
Fado's Irish Pub and Restaurant is located in downtown Seattle at the corner of First and Columbia Street. The pub is surrounded by office buildings, so they do a large lunch and dinner trade.
This is a huge pub that can accommodate up to 250 patrons. It is divided into several snug areas that are available for smaller parties.
The snug areas include the Cigar Room with its country-style tobacco displays dating back to the 1800s, offers a cosy space surrounded by a unique decor.
The Cottage Room is a light and warm with kitchen staple bric-a-brac. The Gaelic Room offers dark wood panelling, huge murals and a massive dolmen set.
The Dungeon Room features ironclad windows, gargoyles and candleabras. And, the Whole Sheebang is the entire pub which is available for larger groups.
Fado's are now taking reservations for Christmas and New Year parties but they also have lots of room for booking meetings, private parties or for any other special events.
Fado's offers an extensive menu starting from appetizers, soups, salads, steaks, quesadillas, along with traditional dishes such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage, and bangers and mash to name a few.
Hugh was born in Foxford, County Mayo, and he told me that his mother, whose maiden name was Gaughan, was a great step dancer.
She was related to Michael Gaughan (the Irish Republican) who died in Parkhurst Prison, England, in 1974, while on a hunger strike for political status and to be transferred to a jail in Ireland.
Eveline is of German background but she fell in love with Ireland during her many visits with her husband. It was during one of these
They also serve all-day Irish breakfast and a late night happy hour.
Fado's show all the English Premier League games along with the Gaelic games and all the other favourite sports games.
Scottish-born, Gerry Leonard is the general manager at Fado's and he's a friendly and welcoming host.
Unfortunately, Gerry was on holidays when I dropped in to visit this trip but Jeff, the assistant
manager, and his staff made me feel right at home.
Fado's Irish Pub and Restaurant is located at 801 First Avenue, Seattle. Call (206) 264-2700, or visit: www.fadoirishpub.com.
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Molly Maguires Irish Pub
Finally, with my visit to Seattle winding down, I dropped into the Molly Maguires Irish Pub which is also located in the Ballard area.
I met with newlyweds Tracey and Michael Corbett at the Molly Maguires.
One of the house promises is: No matter what the day of the week, you can find great craic and fabulous entertainment at Molly Maguire's in Seattle!
It was early Friday afternoon when I visited Molly's and I did indeed find great craic and entertainment at the pub... .and that was well before the paid entertainment started.
After sitting down to speak with Tracey and Michael, not only was the craic flying, but we had covered the political situation in Ireland and the United States and had a most enjoyable time doing it. Time flies when you're having fun!
Tracey was born in London and Michael was born in Dublin, but his family later moved to Limerick.
Something is always happening at the Molly Maguires.
On Monday night they have an open mike; on Tuesday it's a pool tournament; Wednesday is quiz night; Thursday is karaoke; and Friday and Saturday is live music.
On Sundays from 11 AM to 4 PM, an Irish breakfast is served, billed as the greatest "cure" for the night before. The pub has a full liquor bar with over a dozen beers on tap.
Molly Maguires opens at 2 PM with food available from 5-10 PM.
The menu consists of some good hearty pub food with everything from soups, salads and sides, sandwiches, burgers, Irish stew, fish and chips, and champ to late night appetizers from 9-10 PM.
Last St. Patrick's Day the Seattle Fire Department Pipe Band was making the rounds to play at all the Irish establishments.
When they arrived at the Molly Maguires, Michael said, "we just didn't know how the band would make their way through the crowd, but low and behold, the crowd parted like the Red Sea and everyone really enjoyed their music."
Molly Maguires has a seating capacity for 80 people with an upstairs area that can accommodate an additional 40 people.
The upstairs is ideal for special parties and right now the Mollys is accepting booking Christmas parties.
Molly Maguires is located at 610 NW 65th Street in Ballard. For more information, call (206) 789-9643, or visit: www.seattleirishpubs.com. •
[Watch next month's issue of The Celtic Connection for more reviews on Irish pubs and restaurants in Seattle.]
Special thanks to everyone for making my visit to Seattle so enjoyable... 'til we meet again.
- Catholine Butler
TRACEYAND MICHAEL Corbett at the Molly Maguires in Ballard.
EXTERIOR of the Molly Maguires which is located at 610 NW65th in Ballard, WA.
STAFF AT FADO in Seattle: Nick, Abby, Jeff (assistant general manager), Katie, Delonna and Joe.
EVELINE AND HUGH Murray, FINIAN ROWLAND standing in owners of Galway Traders, at front of Galway Traders in their beautiful shop in Ballard. Ballard.