Crowds at Raglan Road
How many people would you say could fit into the new Kansas City downtown Irish pub, Raglan Road?
Did you guess a quarter of a million?
Diana Lambdin Meyer in the Dallas News has a figure for you, based on those celebrating Paddy’s Day at the new pub.
More than 250,000 people celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at a new watering hole in the district. Raglan Road Irish Pub contains two century-old bars from demolished pubs in Ireland, dance floors and stages. Dancers, musicians, chefs and waitstaff have relocated from Dublin to authenticate the Irish experience.
I’m sure we’re talking outdoors too, but are they including everybody outside on Paddy’s Day in downtown Kansas City - all the way down Grand to Crown Center?
More on Raglan Road:
• Raglan Road Blog
• Raglan Road, Photo of the Actual Road in Dublin
• Raglan Road, the Song Based on the Patrick Kavanagh Poem
• Byrne Custom Woodworking for KC’s Raglan Road
• Raglan Road Chef Kevin Dundon Launches Gourmet Irish Sausages
Eolaí gan Fhéile:
Seems there’s always a propensity for a bit of blarney when it comes to promoting things Irish here in the States. Because, aside from Ms. Meyer’s over-estimation of the crowds at Raglan Road, neither of the bars at that establishment came from “demolished” pubs in Ireland. While it is true that many elements incorporated into the pub’s interior originated in Ireland, many handcrafted specifically for the Kansas City location, it is highly doubtful that either of the long bars are older than the pub itself.
It is much more likely that stories about the different elements of the bar’s interior have been embellished by the staff for the entertainment of gullible Midwestern touristas hungry for a bit of the “ould sod.”
That alleged 250,000 wouldn’t have been there all at once. It’s not like everybody stays all day.
Though, still, I don’t imagine the place is anywhere near large enough for 250,000 different people to have been “at” the pub at some point during the day. (I haven’t actually been there.)