BEVERLY - Local politicians spent Saturday afternoon belting out old Irish classics like "Danny Boy" and "My Wild Irish Rose," during a St. Patrick's Day luncheon at the Pickled Onion.

The sing-along was a scaled-down version of what was once one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the state. For years, Massachusetts politicians gathered at the Commodore Restaurant to mark the holiday, but the tradition ended when the restaurant closed in 1999.

But the celebration was revived last year by Ward 3 School Committee member Jim Latter and City Councilor-at-large Bill Coughlin as a fundraiser for the local River House homeless shelter. Although they have no expectations of building it back up to its former glory, the politicos hope it will steadily grow and retain some of the esteem it enjoyed at the Commodore.

"It brought a lot of stature to Beverly and we didn't want to see that extinguished," Coughlin said. The room was loud and relaxed, as several dozen politicians mingled. Many wore green and a couple, like Sen. Fred Berry of Peabody, rattled off a joke or two. The luncheon raised around $1,200 for the homeless shelter - $200 more than last year.

"I love the energy in this room," Beverly Rep. Mary Grant said over the microphone when the band took a break, "I want to encourage you each year, as they do this, to continue to bring a few more people." Grant also disclosed her Hibernian heritage.

"My maiden name is O'Connell, and my mother's maiden name is O'Sullivan," Grant said, "Not many people know that."

Ward 6 City Councilor Patricia Grimes staked her own Irish claim.

"My birthday is on St. Patrick's Day," she said, "That's why my name is Pat." Grimes just announced she plans on running for an at-large City Council seat this year. Incumbents Paul Guanci, Tim Flaherty and Coughlin, who all plan to run again, also enjoyed the festivities.

But elections aren't until November, and instead of any kind of campaigning opportunity, the St. Patrick's Day celebration was just a gathering for charity and good cheer.

"It's about people feeling happy to see each other," Grant said. "It's kind of like the rite of spring."
Congressman John Tierney and District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett were among the other revelers. Mayor Bill Scanlon was attending a funeral service and couldn't make it.