Award-winning pub gears up for annual Shucking for Shamrocks fundraiser

Photo Courtesy of Shenanigan's Irish Pub

LUMPKIN CO., GA

Shenanigans Irish Pub, located right off the historic Dahlonega square, is getting ready for their annual Shucking for Shamrocks fundraiser with some beneficial renovations.

Renovations at Shenanigans Irish Pub (Photo Courtesy of David Jordan)

The owner, Deb Rowe, told FYN that the most significant changes made to the pub were enclosing the patio, protecting their outside courtyard from water drainage from the street, and adding new ramps, making the entire patio and courtyard wheelchair accessible. Rowe explained how the community will benefit from the new improvements, “Now, everyone can get from the courtyard, to the deck and to the patio; the courtyard is all accessible.”

Renovations at Shenanigans Irish Pub (Photo Courtesy of David Jordan)

The renovations have taken place just weeks before their upcoming 11th annual Shucking for Shamrocks fundraiser event, which Rowe started as a way to raise money for research on Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cystic Fibrosis. The weekend-long event includes a silent auction and fresh Florida oysters that are shucked on-site. Rowe revealed that this year they are extending the event space into their parking lot, giving them an additional 40×40 square feet of room.

Rowe also explained that during the first year of the fundraiser, they raised $6400, which has grown to $40,000 ten years later, “Originally, the first few years we were raising $6,000 to $8,000, and it was just for Muscular Dystrophy. Then my sister was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and even though Cystic Fibrosis is relatively rare, I know several people who have it.” In 2018, Shenanigans earned the Community Involvement Award from the Georgia chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for their contributions resulting from Shucking for Shamrocks.

Fresh oysters are the main item on the menu during Shucking for Shamrocks

The event will be from August 31 until September 2, and community members are encouraged to sign up to volunteer for the event, “Above and beyond making donations to the silent auction and spending money at the event, we have an inter-active volunteer sign-up link [on their Facebook page]. We really just need additional bodies to help.”

Haley Gilreath