St. Patrick's Day celebrations erupted across the city this week allowing some to partake of the fun at local taverns and community centres.

 Despite being on strike for eight months, some Steelworkers came out anyway with their friends to hear Irish tunes and drink green beer at Peddlers, the downtown pub and eatery on Cedar Street. Steelworkers Tom Scott, Chris Harvey and Dave Martin brought along friends Scott Cretien, a lab technician, and Jim Shedden, an ironworker.

 “I come out once in awhile,” Harvey said, as he hoisted a green beer with his friends.

 “I'm Irish,” said Martin. “I had to come out for St. Patrick's Day. It's like Christmas for the Irish.”

 Passerby Tracy Ross walked by and admonished the men for being so spirited and happy.“Stop having so much fun,” she joked. “Being Irish myself I am the one who can have fun.”She sported a t-shirt which said “Naughty Irish Girl”.

 Another girl, Janis Murray, passed by with a t-shirt that said “Text Me I'm Irish.”Server Liz Litalien said Peddlers Pub was celebrating its 12th annual St Patrick's Day celebration.“My how time flies,” she exclaimed. She said Peddlers Pub had one of the biggest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the city.

 Owner Dennis Gainer said he noticed numbers were down from past years earlier in the afternoon on March 17, but by six o'clock it was more packed, he said. He speculated it could be the result of the strike. He walked over to the table with the strikers and congratulated them for coming to his establishment.“It has been a great day for us, thanks to people like you,” Gainer said.

 Celebrations occurred also at Shaughnessy's, Little Montreal, the Townehouse Tavern and the One-Eleven Seniors Centre on Larch Street.