St. Patrick's Day in Seattle has been called one of the 10

St. Patrick’s Day in Seattle has been called one of the 10 best in the nation. To find out what makes it so great, we ventured out into the crowds and visited a few of the busiest Irish bars in the city. What we found were lots of people, with a lot of character, having a lot of fun. Here’s a look.All photos by Zibby Wilder.Published on March 18, 2010

Michele is a guide for Market Ghost Tours – she gave me an awesome book called Market Ghost Stories.

Dave also makes these awesome paintings on the backs of old records. He was in town from Bremerton – I hope he ended up finding Pike Pub and his wife.

Dave was a little lost and looking for the Pike Pub. He also broke his neck once diving into a lake – after he recovered, he went back to the lake and dove in again. I think perhaps Dave is the coolest bad ass I have ever met.

Suzy ponders how many more shots she’s going to have to pour behind the bar at Kells tonight.

Lindy and her friend Shanna came over from Silverdale to partake in the festivus.

Tim is perhaps the best-dressed man at Kells. He is also the most gentlemanly. What a guy.

Now those are surely beer goggles.

Patrick is the owner of Kells. He is tall and cool, just like the Guinness he pours.

The balloon man packs it in for the night. Or perhaps he’s moving it up to Kells to strike it rich making shamrock balloon hats. I’d buy one.

This is Bell the Bulldog. He is English. He finds it hard to get out and enjoy the holiday because he is always being accosted by the ladies.

Irish I had another one too.

Wendy has the best t-shirt ever. ‘Nuff said.

Life is short, and I hope your hangover is too.

The party bus drops ’em off early at the Owl & Thistle.

Sam is Irish and from Boston – can you tell?

Dan the green rose man.

Roger is a bouncer at Fado. I wouldn’t mess with him, but I am sure as the night wore on, someone did. Perhaps the person who barfed on my bus on the way home.

Tony went with a very strategic shamrock placement. Wonder if he got lots of kisses on the eye?

Meet Meridith – she is super fun and runs the tasting room at Silverlake Winery in Yakima. She and her friends took three days off to come celebrate in the city.

The troops are hungry.

Jen and Melinda make sure everyone’s drinks are full at Fado.

This is Thomas and his Buddy Seamus. Thomas didn’t have big St. Paddy’s plans because he can’t imagine imagine going out and leaving Seamus, to tell you the truth. Now that’s a good friend.

Jim and Patty are both celebrating their birthdays! Jim, his 79th and Patty, her 27th. Patty was born in Ireland and now lives in Ghana.

Aubra and Alex like to drink beers that are bigger than they are.

At Fado, there were lots and lots of firemen, which certainly adds an element of sexy…I mean, safety. Departments from Maple Valley, Kent, Lakewood and the Port of Seattle got together for some celebrating – thanks to the guy on the right, who arrived at 7am to get them some tables.