Hobart pubs celebrate St Patrick’s Day despite the threat of coronavirus

While many St Patrick’s Day revellers were undeterred by the coronavirus outbreak, venues are reporting significantly lower numbers than normal.

James Horne celebrating St. Patrick's Day at The New Sydney Hotel. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

REVELLERS have gathered at Hobart pubs to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, dressing colourfully and enjoying the festivities despite the threat of coronavirus.

Many were undeterred by the outbreak, but venues are reporting significantly lower numbers than normal.

New Sydney Hotel owner Al Derham said lunchtime trade on Tuesday had been relatively slow at the Bathurst St venue and is usually “hectic” and “bustling”.

Al Derham owner of The New Sydney Hotel says crowd numbers are down during this year's St. Patrick's Day. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Derham said March 17 was usually the pub’s biggest day of the year “by a mile” but added the coronavirus outbreak sweeping the world was keeping many away.

“The people here are not worried but I’ve had many bookings cancelled in the past 24 hours,’’ he said.

“The last three days since Friday, we’ve just been a bit flat since then.

“A lot of our regulars aren’t here today.”

For Larissa Byrne, her sister Alison Faulks and mother Gail Byrne, celebrating St Patrick’s Day at the New Sydney is a tradition they would not miss.

Larissa Byrne said she celebrated in honour of her late father Andy Byrne, who was Irish.

“My dad passed away five years ago so we always come out and celebrate,’’ Larissa Byrne said.

“We’re Irish, so why not? Happy St Patrick’s Day!”

She said they were not too worried about the risks posed by the virus.

“As long as you keep your hands clean,’’ she said.

“You can’t stop living your life because of a virus.”

Gail Byrne (centre) celebrates St. Patrick's Day at The New Sydney Hotel with daughters Larissa Byrne (left) and Alison Faulks. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

James Horne put significant effort into his outfit. He said celebrating St Patrick’s Day was an annual event he did not want to miss.

The 42-year-old from Hobart said he had been gathering with mates on March 17 since 2009.

“I found out I’ve got a little bit of Irish history,’’ he said.

“We had a lady come over from England many years ago that was researching family history and we didn’t know much about it to start off with.

“She did up the whole family tree for us and we found out that we’ve actually got a long line of Irish on one side of the family. We were Gradys before we married into the Hornes.

“I’ve been to Ireland twice now, I’ve done a bit of research while I was over there and got to learn more about it and experience the whole Irish thing over there.”

Mr Horne said he was glad this year’s event had gone ahead, but conceded there would be fewer people celebrating due to coronavirus.

“We were a bit worried it was going to be cancelled because of what’s going on,’’ he said.

“It hasn’t scared me off from coming and doing it.

“If they had said we couldn’t, I wouldn’t have come but I am glad it’s still going ahead.”

The New Sydney has elected for a lighter take on the coronavirus crisis, putting up hand sanitisers from a Corona beer bottle at the bar.

Irish Murphy’s in Salamanca Place also held yan event for St Patrick’s Day.