Monday, March 17, 2025
Of the four patron saints' days in the British isles, I think St Patrick's Day in the Republic of Ireland is the most celebrated. St Andrew's Day in Scotland, November 30, comes second and St David's Day in Wales, March 1, comes in in third place. The English don't seem too bothered about St George's Day, which is "celebrated" (not) on April 23.
[Image courtesy of CEXT]
Introduction
The only patron saint who merits an official bank holiday in his home country is St Patrick in Ireland.
I have no connection with Ireland, but I have often celebrated "Paddy's Day", as today is affectionately known.
No Scottish connection either, other than I once owned a timeshare on the Isle of Arran.
[Stained glass of St Patrick by Irish Central]
Being half-Welsh, St David's Day was also important, especially at university where I had a Welsh girlfriend for a while.
St George's Day always came and went with a whimper.
St Patrick's Day 2025
Today the missus and I are "celebrating" by going for dinner on the re-opening-under-new-management of the restaurant at Hotel Molino del Santo in Estacion de Benaojan (Malaga).
Rita is German and her country does not appear to have a patron saint.
Back to Molino del Santo, this fine establishment in a refurbished mill which first opened its doors as a boutique hotel and restaurant in 1987 has been closed since the end of November 2024 and has undergone a makeover.
Aerial photo of Hotel Molino del Santo [Archive]
New "owners" are Carmen and Martin. Carmen is the elder daughter of owners Andy Chapell and Pauline Elkin, who retired in 2023. Carmen was born locally and attended schools in Benaojan, Ronda and San Pedro, before university in the UK. She is bilingual. Her partner Martin originates from Norway.
Apart from the alterations and improvements, there is a new menu, and a new website, but most of the staff remain as before.
Andy, Pauline, Carmen and Martin [Jon Clarke]
We look forward to seeing Inma, head receptionist; Manuel, the head waiter; other waiting staff we might know and, probably Andy and Pauline hovering in the background, keeping an eye on things. Andy may well be serving behind the bar, and Pauline helping out in the restaurant.
Other locals I know may well be in the bar - Enrique, Moises and Carlos.
Whether there will be anything special for St Patrick's Day, like free Guinness and Bushmills whiskey, remains to be seen.
Interesting links:
Hotel Molino del Santo under new management - Eye on Spain
and from the archives:
Eat out to help out in Spain! - Secret Serrania de Ronda
RIP O’Flagherty’s: An Irish bar lament - Secret Serrania de Ronda
Photos:
CEXT, Irish Central, Jon Clarke, Molino del Santo
© The "Guiri" Gourmet
Tags:
Andy, Bushmills whiskey, Carmen, CEXT, Enrique, Eye on Spain, Guinness, Inma, Irish Central, Jon Clarke, Manuel, Martin, Moises, Molino del Santo, Pauline, Paul Whitelock, St Patrick's Day, Secret Serrania, The "Guiri" Gourmet, The Olive Press
