The luck of the Irish must be on extended sabbatical this year. And whilst I relish the thought of defunct bankers chasing leprechauns over rainbows in the vague hope of a mythical pot of gold, there are more interesting ways to get those Irish eyes smiling.

Hear: Galway born Mary Coughlan will be performing at Piccadilly's Pigalle Club, unveiling new songs from her album, The House of Ill Repute, alongside a pair of fellow female Irish vocalists.

Eat: Moti Mahal launch their Irish whiskey and Indian food pairing menu, a five-course dinner accompanied with different tasters. Or head to Dublin-born Richard Corrigan’s excellent eponymous haunt at Grosvenor House. We say sit at the bar, order some oysters to start, and tuck in for a lengthy lunch. Mayfair club house chic has never felt so casual; we like.

Escape: Bunk off early, grab a flight and check into milliner Philip Treacy's G Hotel in medieval Galway, which comes to life over St. Patrick's Day. They'll even give you cocktails, a parade pack and green umbrella. Just in case.

And if all else fails, grab a cupcake, and settle into an Irish special of The Simpsons - the first ever to be screened outside of the US for its debut. Snake whacking and inebriated old folk in green hot pants? Sounds like a holiday to us, to be sure.

Pigalle Club, 215-217 Piccadilly, W1. 6:30pm, £45 dinner & show, £20 show only. reservations@vpmg.net

TODAY'S EVENT PICKS

40s & 50s nostalgia sounds for a retro-minded crowd, 9pm - 3am, Ronnie Scotts Bar, 47 Frith St, W1D, £5.

Costume drama of an Irish rogue's rise and fall. 7pm, BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, SE1. £6.25 - £8.60.

The Errorists; 12 channel video installation at Sketch. 10am - 5pm, 9 Conduit Street, W1S. Free.

Puppets and live music bring Gawain & the Green Knight to life. 7:30pm, Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, SE10. £17.50.