Calling out any Irish name will get response in some Chicago bars

People have told me my name sounds like a bar, and funnily enough, it was. Bridget McGuire’s was a popular bar in South Bend, Indiana frequented by Notre Dame and St. Mary’s students. It was shut down after being raided for underage drinking, which is fitting, considering I had my first beer at 14. Sorry, Mom.

My Irish roots trace back to Galway and County Clare but are prominent on the South Side of Chicago where my parents are from and my dad lives. The South Side of Chicago is running rampant with Irish names.

If you’re Irish and walk into a bar on Western Avenue and don’t know anyone, just yell out “Murphy, McNamara or Moran!” If no one turns around, try “Walsh, O’Shea, Hughes, Kelly, Sheahan or Duffy!” Chances are you’ll meet a second cousin who played 16-inch softball with your uncle, whose younger brother dated your mom’s best friend from college, Mary Sheila McBride.

Perhaps, while you’re cruising the streets on the South Side, consider popping in for a pint at Cork and Kerry or Fox’s or Reilly’s Daughter or Barney Callaghan’s or McNally’s or Sean’s Rhino Bar and O’Rourke’s Office. You might be stopping by for a drink but you’ll leave (at closing time) with an invitation to Easter brunch.

If you’re lucky enough, you’ll find yourself on Western Avenue on Sunday, March 13, for the world-famous South Side Irish Parade. This parade has quite a history that dates back to 1979. It was the brainchild of George Hendry and Pat Coakley, who wanted to do something fun for their families on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s hard to

believe what started as a parade of 17 neighborhood kids now attracts more than 20,000 spectators every year, not to mention 10,000 marchers.

I’ve attended for years. Some years were more wild than others (read: my 20s), but my favorite South Side Parade was in 1997 when my dad and I marched with our North Side Irish cousins in the Evanston Kazoo Band. I was only 15 and pretty confused as to why I was in this band of kazoos with my uncle leading the pack, but all I knew was that these people were having a blast smiling, laughing and making friends.

Truth be told, that’s not just on St. Patrick’s Day. The South Side Irish are made up of hardworking, hilarious, and good people. Salt of the earth. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself. Head over to one of the establishments I mentioned, sidle up to the bar and tell them Rita Eileen Mahoney McGuire or Thomas Joseph “Froggy” McGuire’s daughter sent you. First drink is on me!

Bridget McGuire is a Chicago-based storyteller, stand-up comedian and is a co-producer of “All That Good Stuff,” a traveling comedy show that started on the southside of Chicago. Follow her on Instagramat @bmcguire82.