MEDIA
Traditions
An Irish Thanksgiving
Fayetteville Observer
November 27, 2008
Jessica DeVault
Staff Writer
Paddy Gibney has spent countless Thanksgivings performing for crowds. He is part of the musical duo Paddy & Bill. He also has been busy running Paddy’s Irish Pub.
But for the first time in years, he is creating a new tradition: He won’t be working at all. This year, he wanted to do something different.
“We’ve always played on Thanksgiving Day, but most of my core group of fans go home. It’s usually not packed like I’d like it to be, but we don’t take the holidays off. I’ve always found the holidays to be anti-climatic,” he said, with a pause. “But I’m taking that day off for myself and my staff. That’s unconventional for me.”
The bar owner and musician plans to spend this holiday with his siblings and their newborn children. Considering that his parents still live in Dublin, Ireland, Gibney said it was important to spend time with his immediate, stateside relatives.
“That’s really the real reason why I’m taking Thanksgiving off,” Gibney said. “For the first time in my musical career, I’m going to do what I should do. I’m going to say, ‘Thank you,’ and hang out with the little family that I do have here instead of drinking in a bar. For me, that will be what you’re supposed to do.”
Even though Thanksgiving is an American holiday, Gibney , who is Irish, said he respects its meaning and is open to celebrating it.
“What a great concept,” he said. “To stop what you’re doing, get with the people you love or just other human beings and give thanks. Most people don’t do that. I think Thanksgiving is one of the great things about America.”
Gibney said he has a lot to be thankful for: a great life, a successful music career and business, and above else, his family. He looks forward to giving thanks for those blessings with his loved ones.
“We’ll enjoy it together,” he said. “And most of all, we’re going to stop what we’re doing. And we’ll say a prayer and say, ‘Thank you, God. Thanks for everything you’ve given us.’ ”
