March is here and with it comes The 5 O’Clock Phlock’s favorite day of the year – St Patrick’s Day. We say to one and all “Cead Mile Failte” – “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes”. Come and join us for a downtown Conroe tradition that will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.
On Tuesday, March 17th, The 5OCP Parrot Head Club, in partnership with The Mike McDougal Family and The Corner Pub, will host the 28th St Patrick’s Day Celebration at The Corner Pub. Founded by attorneys Mike McDougal and Pat Green and Bagpiper David Anderson in 1998 as a way to honor their Irish/Scottish heritage, the celebration has continued in their honor years after they left us for their seats in paradise – Pat first in 2016, followed by David in 2017, and then the man we thought somehow would live forever, Mike in 2024.
In the early years, the gathering began on the steps of the DA’s office with Pat reading The Irish Proclamation. David would lead the assembled group to Pat’s law office, where Pat’s wife Tag would make her legendary Irish Coffee for everyone. A few years after Tag’s passing in 2005 and with Pat’s health declining, the party roamed about a bit, landing at various downtown Conroe watering holes.
In 2021, when 5OCP relocated it’s center of social interaction to the Lake Conroe area, the club became co-hosts with Mike and his lovely wife Frances. We approached the Pool family – longtime friends of the organizers – about making The Corner Pub the official gathering place for the fun. Welcomed with open arms, drink specials and corn beef and cabbage, The Corner Pub is our forever home now.
“I’ve never wanted it to become too big or too organized” Mike frequently said “it’s just all about those who love the spirit of the day gathering to celebrate and enjoy the fellowship”. We’ve honored Mike’s wishes, while adding a few fun features along the way. There is a table full of food, free to all while it lasts, provided by The Corner Pub and 5OCP Members. 5OCP’s musicians, lovingly known as The 5 O’Clock Phlock Throw Down Jamm Band, will play – one set of Irish music, and a second of good old-fashioned rock and roll covers.
In 2023, with Mike’s health failing, we knew something needed to be done to honor him and Frances and their devotion to creating and maintaining such a wonderful small town tradition. We added a Lord and Lady of St Paddy’s Day, with the McDougal’s as the first royalty, of course. The city of Conroe honored Mike with a proclamation making St Patrick’s Day forever and always “Mike McDougal Day” in the city. In 2024, after Mike’s passing just a few weeks before, we added the annual Sock Drive for Yes To Youth/Montgomery County Youth Services. Mike gave away hundreds of pairs of socks each year. If you knew Mike, you know his socks were always the crowning glory of his eccentric style. He was also a long time board member of MCYS.
More next week about this wonderful celebration of all things Irish, but for today, save the day and gather your green. Fins Up!
Kris is President of The 5 O’Clock Phlock Parrot Head Club, the PHC of the Lake Conroe/Woodlands area. Email KrisCommService@gmail.com or text 713 825-0141. Follow the club on Facebook at www.facebook.com/5OClockPhlock. For more info, visit the website www.5oclockphlock.com.