The Irish takeover of Cape May in March

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most anticipated holidays on my calendar. Local celebrations include music, drinking, and, of course, the beloved confection called Irish Potatoes. It’s the Irish takeover of Cape May in March.

“We go through hundreds of pounds of Irish Potatoes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday season,” said Jim McHugh of The Original Fudge Kitchen in Cape May, New Jersey. “Irish Potatoes are moist coconut cream hand-rolled and dipped in fresh cinnamon.”

Jim, now in his 40s, has been hand-rolling Irish Potatoes since he was eight. That’s almost 34 years of the store’s 50-year history.

A traditional candy dating back hundreds of years in Philadelphia, Irish Potatoes may have originated with Easter egg-style candy filled with moist coconut creme. Jim was born in Delaware County but moved to Cape May during his father’s 32 years in the Coast Guard, and he thinks Irish potatoes started as an experiment.

That experiment is now a staple at The Original Fudge Kitchen, resulting in some orders being shipped nationwide. The Fudge Kitchen will wrap and ship a one-pound box of Irish potatoes via priority mail anywhere.

“We ship corporate orders as high as 200 pounds,” Jim said. Companies will have sales representatives buy boxes for their clients,” McHugh said. The phone rang, and another company was ready to place an order. In any given year, we may roll 2500 to 3000 pounds of Irish potatoes.

Sweet music and dancing

Reminiscing is another sidebar event the Irish are not immune to. If you haven’t heard, the Irish are known for being nostalgic. Mary (Heron) Stewart, (retired) Chief Outreach Officer for the Mid-Atlantic Center for Arts and Humanities, knows her family’s history and MAC’s.

“My grandparents, Irish immigrants, arrived in Cape May as domestic servants. Before they married, my grandfather was a teamster and worked for John Betz, who bought the Stockton Hotel in 1893.” Mary said. “My grandparents were from Donegal, and the sea must have been a constant presence. I guess it’s in my DNA, but I feel the same way about Cape May.” she continued.

A huge fan of genealogy (as are many Irish.), Mary recently found a connection to the famous Irish poet Madge Heron. Knowing her history, Mary is not one to shy away from controversy. “Jeopardy (the television show) just made fun of the Potato Famine. And it got a laugh.” Mary said.  “I don’t know how a program like Jeopardy could make light of a historical event that killed a million people.”

“One memory I have of my grandmother was a conversation where she told me that she loved Cape May because it reminded her of Ireland, particularly the hydrangeas.” Mary continued. “When my husband asked me if I’d like to move here more than 30 years ago, I was packed and in the car before he could change his mind,” she said.

The Irish takeover of Cape May in March

History, music, and admittedly drinking are part of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day. The return of the Irish Pipe Brigade is perhaps the most significant announcement of this season’s celebrations. After a two-year hiatus, they have fueled up the bus and will appear at many local drinking establishments.

Kicking off the weekend at Willow Creek Winery, The Pipe Brigade, comprised in the tradition of police and fire drum corps, will visit the winery March 14th-15th and 16th. The winery is no stranger to Irish traditions, guided by Gladys Leshan McKinney. “The Pipers are so culturally important to Cape May County,” Gladys said.

“We are also bringing back the Emerald Irish Academy Dancers,” Gladys said. “We want to give the community the full traditional Irish experience. You won’t see any green plastic decorations.”

Now in its fourth year celebrating St. Pats, Willow Creek has grown from single-digit attendance to over 2000 people a weekend with standing room only. In addition to music, the winery will feature an Irish-inspired menu, complete with Guinness-braised short ribs and a Vanilla Willow Whip spiked with Bailey’s. Vendors and crafters will be present all three days.

Traditional music to Irish rock

A rebranding occurs at Harry’s Ocean Bar and Grill on Beach Avenue. O’Harry’s, for March, brings everything from a Jameson Irish whiskey-tasting dinner to a hard-driving Irish rock band.  Jamison Celtic Rock is a high-energy five-piece band that can turn traditional Irish tunes upside down, blending in rock, reggae, modern pop, and hip-hop. You might be on your feet as Jamison takes Irish music to the next level with original songs and eccentric versions of covers or festival favorites.

The C-View Inn on Washington Street will host the traditional appearance of the Wildwood Irish Pipe Brigade, led by Pipe Major Kevin Tolan, on St Patrick’s Day, Monday afternoon, March 17th. The brigade was established on March 21, 1994. Known for their wings, the C-View owner, Greg Coffeey, spares no expense on St. Patrick’s Day. Some years, you could even have your face printed on the top of a pint of the Gunness. Just please do not order any disgusting car bombs—a horrible concoction of Guinness, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Irish whiskey. If you appreciate your Irish history, you will understand why.

“Whenever I sit on the beach and stare at the water, I can’t help but think of Ireland. I think of my grandmother as a young girl who left her family for the unknown, who endured crossing that immense body of water in steerage and found something safe and comfortable in this town,” reminisced Mary Stewart.