Receiving the title of “Best College St. Patrick’s Day Party in the U.S.” by BroBible and Huffington Post, it’s now time to divert away from the generally tame festivals and parades and venture into the unknown. Don’t worry, you wanna-be leprechauns, we will give you the full run down of this little big town. We aren’t sure how to start this, so we are just going to dive right in. David Letterman once said, “There are four places to be on St. Patrick's day: Dublin, New York, Chicago & the University of Dayton.” This quiet little Catholic university of around 8,000 undergrads swells to about 20,000 one day during the entire year. St. Patrick’s Day. With a prompt start time of 4am, hearing the music blaring from every house is the equivalent of hearing TAPS on an armed forces base because it’s time to get up and get green. Once up, it’s time to start preparing for Tim’s Bar that opens at 5am and the annual gathering of leprechauns that happens on Lowes Street, affectionately referred to by UD students as “The Ghetto”. This is pretty much where the party stays for the remainder of the day. Literally every house is open to anyone who wants to venture in. A fully inclusive party that spans an entire street. It’s actually pretty impressive to witness the hospitality, if that’s the right word… bagpipers with waning sobriety levels, university police drinking an occasional brew among students, and thousands of your closest friends are just a few of the things you can find at this university “party”. We say “party” because in 2013, the party actually turned into what was deemed a riot and police in full riot gear had to show up and break up the shenanigans. It also coincidentally ended up being the year that the University of Dayton bought accidental death insurance. So with that being said, you have been warned. It’s just so cool to think that in our Ohio backyard there is a St. Patty’s Day party that is like no other and if you’re up for the challenge to join in the festivities, then we salute you.
What's your favorite St. Patrick's Day celebration? Let us know in the comments!
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25 comments
Graduated in ‘85. St. Pat’s was great while i was there. Profs pretty much knew not to plan much for that day. Actually made it To work in thE cafeteria at marycrest one year. Werent too many students in cafe that year. Loved the green beer. Have Never had a st PATRICK’S day to rival since. Missing ud!
We missed out on the fun of St. patty’s day. I was there from 1996 – 2001. Because of the riots of 1994, ud banned st. patty’s day for years after, having spring break instead. I don’t think it started again until the year or two after I graduated. God, I wish I could go back. The riot in 1994 started cause the city poured into the ghetto and the students and security lost control and the city folk wouldn’t vacate. Swat had to be called in to clear the mess. kiefaber was a sheet of broken bottles and burning couches everywhere.
The first riot was in 1994…started with a group on kiefaber yelling “Tastes Great!” followed by another group responding with “less filling!”.
Yes, 1971 to 1976 was the best at all special events such as st. patty’s day, Friday’s, Mondays, etc. if you could not find a party, then you were dead. kiefaber, alberta, lowes, stonemill and all the other side streets were packed with partiers.
Every single ghetto bash 1972 – 77. Can’t express here how much fun was witnessed, shared and encouraged with others. good times just know this is great. UD Class of 76. flyer up!