St Patrick’s Day party at Oxford taproom a smash hit

Tap Social Movement hosted a Paddy’s Day party at its Botley Taproom on Saturday, March 14 – just before the official Irish feast day on Tuesday, March 17 – which was a “rip-roaring” success.

After the Ireland team won their Six Nations match against Scotland, the taproom hosted revellers for dancing, music, beer and a best-dressed contest.

READ MORE: Subaru driver killed in crash on A420 in Oxfordshire

Harry Househam, events manager for Tap Social, said: “It was a rip-roaring and jam-packed day with non-stop craic!

The St Patrick’s Day party at Tap Social Movement’s Botley Taproom was a ‘rip-roaring success’ on Saturday (Image: Ed Nix)

“The Ireland team won their match against Scotland which really got things off to a great start and set the tone.

“After the Irish victory the day was followed by non-stop live music and dancing, and we burnt some Irish turf incense to get the venue really feeling like a traditional Irish pub.

“The stout taps were flowing all night, we sold out of Murphy’s Irish stout, and our own locally brewed gold award-winning stout, Inside Out, was also a smash hit.”

The post-game music started with a fiddle and guitar performance from Rebecca Mileham and Jonathan Yeap, followed by the Oxford Fiddle Group playing traditional Irish songs accompanied by a harp, guitar, squeezebox and accordion.

The St Patrick’s Day party at Tap Social Movement’s Botley Taproom was a ‘rip-roaring success’ on Saturday (Image: Ed Nix)

READ MORE: Collapsed UK car manufacturer update amid administration

Then came Marion Flanagan Irish Dance School who ‘wowed the crowds’ with their Riverdance, followed by headliners The Publicans, an Irish folk band who kept the audience jigging.

The best dressed winner walked away with a real four-leaf clover, and Tayto crisps were declared the winner in the Tayto v King crisps popularity contest.

Mr Househam added: “Tap Social is greatly proud to host an eclectic mix of weird and wonderful live events which celebrate local communities and offer a vibrant place to eat and drink.

The St Patrick’s Day party at Tap Social Movement’s Botley Taproom was a ‘rip-roaring success’ on Saturday (Image: Ed Nix)

“Just 12 hours after our St Patrick’s celebration, we had our regular live wrestling league with United Wrestling.

“It’s a really great space with a busy line up of fun events, and we love celebrating Paddy’s Day as part of it.”

Founded in 2016 by Ms Taylor, her sister Tess Taylor, and Paul Humpherson, Tap Social provides training and employment to people moving through the criminal justice system.

READ MORE: ‘Hidden’ Oxford pub linked with William Shakespeare

The enterprise has delivered more than 100,000 hours of fairly paid work to prison leavers and people on Release on Temporary Licence.

It currently operates the Proof Social Bakehouse in Kennington, at the organisation’s former refitted brewery, as well as bar Lock29 in Banbury and The Market Tap by Tap Social in Oxford’s Covered Market.

A new venue, Day Release, is set launch at Signal Yard in Milton Park this year, the fifth Oxfordshire venue which will bring all the Tap Social brands together in one location.