Locals gather for a record-breaking St Patrick’s Day at Hobart’s New Sydney Hotel

The beloved Hobart watering hole was packed to the rafters on Monday as locals swarmed in celebration of St Patrick’s Day.

Palmy Tatum and Alexander Chaplin at the New Sydney celebrating St Patrick’s Day. Picture: Linda Higginson

There’s only one place you’ll find James Horne on St Patrick’s Day, and that’s the New Sydney Hotel.

By midday on Monday the iconic Hobart CBD venue was pumping, with owner Ashan Rodrigo saying it had already gotten through a record-breaking 15 kegs of Guinness.

But for Mr Horne, the day was about so much more.

The self-proclaimed larrikin first started celebrating St Patrick’s Day in 2009 after reading up on his family history.

Margaret Horne, Allan Thompson, and James Horne celebrate St Patrick’s Day in the New Sydney Hotel. Picture: Linda Higginson

This year, he was joined by his mother Margaret, who also decked out in full festive kit.

“It’s been very important for me to experience the whole Irish setting that St Patrick’s Day is,” he said.

“Listening to all the Irish music, and hearing some of the stories and history … it’s been absolutely beautiful.

“It’s the heart and soul of my family.”

Miriam Fletcher, Elenor Howard, 8 months, Ted Smith, 14 months and Caitlin Beaumont at the New Sydney Hotel celebrating St Patrick’s Day. Picture: Linda Higginson

Family was certainly a major theme at this year’s celebration, with fellow reveller Miriam Fletcher bringing along her eight-month-old granddaughter Eleanor Howard for her first St Patrick’s Day.

With family roots in the coastal Irish town of Balbriggan and the city of Newry, Ms Fletcher said she had been “sending pictures back all day”.

“We celebrate around the world,” she said.

“We’ve always been connected with the Irish celebration and we try to take the day off work once a year for it.”

Karen Rettig, Sheree Price, Sally White, and Sharyn Johns at the New Sydney Hotel on St Patrick's Day. Picture: Linda Higginson

While Tasmania is home to many Irish pubs, the New Sydney Hotel has become a meeting place for much of the local community, drawing in members from various cultural groups including the Irish Association and the Tasmanian Gaelic Society with their three-day St Patrick’s events and activities schedule.

Families celebrating St Patrick’s Day at the New Sydney Hotel in Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Rodrigo said this year’s had exceeded expectations.

“We had 120 people for breakfast and to watch the Irish session come in,” he said.

“We thought on Monday it would be quieter but many people seemed to have taken the day off.

“It’s nice to see all the locals get into the spirit.”

Families celebrating St Patrick’s Day at the New Sydney Hotel in Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

Originally published as Locals gather for a record-breaking St Patrick’s Day at Hobart’s New Sydney Hotel