It’s super easy to set a St. Patrick’s Day table using my everyday, Ireland Pursuit dishes.
With a wide band of green decorating the rim, the Noritake pattern is perfect for the holiday. Medallions around the border depict foxes, pheasants and rabbits. Hunt scenes and thatched cottages also decorate the dishes and serving pieces.
I’ve been setting the table with the Ireland Pursuit pattern for breakfast, lunch and dinner for something like twenty years! To transform the setting into a St. Patrick’s Day table, required a change in linens and pulling out seasonal decor to create a festive centerpiece.
Because we are going to be out of town for the actual holiday and won’t be entertaining guests, I decided to mostly use what I already had to set the table. But, due to a lack of specialty dishes and accessories for a St. Patrick’s Day table in the stores, I did craft shamrock-decorated napkin rings and painted pilsner glasses for the holiday. Easy peasy.
I use affiliate links and am an Amazon Associate. If you make a purchase I may earn a small commission that helps to offset website operating costs with no additional cost to you. Your support is appreciated! Disclosure Policy.
Styling a St. Patrick’s Day Table
I kept this tablescape fairly simple. Since I already had an Irish tablerunner and shamrock-shaped placemats, I decided not to use a tablecloth.
Linens & Things
For this year’s St. Patrick’s Day table, I flipped the runner over with the reverse white and green shamrock side up. At the end of this post, you’ll find a link on Amazon to what I believe is the same runner. I found mine at a local Irish specialty shop.
Here’s last year’s Ireland Pursuit St. Patrick’s Day Table for comparison. You’ll notice a number of differences in the two tablescapes, including; tablecloth, placemats, napkins, plate stack, glasses, favors and centerpiece.
To match the dark hunter green rim of the plates, I used my second set of felt, shamrock-shaped placemats (Kohl’s). In order to see more of the Irish tablerunner, I only positioned green placemats under the other two settings.
Last year, I incorporated the same dark green placemats into, Elegant, Easy Shamrock Tablescape for St. Patrick’s Day set in the dining room.
To match the dark placements, I also used the solid green napkins that were folded into four-leaf clovers. Last year, I simply inserted green and white buffalo check napkins into tall, vintage glasses.
Lacking seasonal napkin rings for this St. Patrick’s Day table, I made four from supplies in my craft stash.
All I did, was take sparkly green foam shamrocks (Michaels) and cut two slits in each. Next, I took a length of seasonal grosgrain ribbon, slipped it through the slits and tied in a bow. Voila!
Another year, I created a 3 Leaf Clover Napkin Fold Tutorial. No napkin ring or ribbon required to hold it’s shape either. It’s nice to have options to mix up the look of the St. Patrick’s Day table from year to year.
You’re Gonna Need a Fork!
Looking at last year’s kitchen table, I just realized I neglected to include flatware —oops! I would have used my everyday Oneida Satinique silverware. After all, guests couldn’t have eaten Irish stew with their fingers LOL!
Since I already had twig flatware handy from A Tweet Tablescape to Welcome Spring, I decided it worked well with the Ireland Pursuit dishes.
Although not leprechaun gold, the copper twig flatware also goes well with the red-haired Irish figure in the centerpiece.
Use What You Have
The Irish lad is a Lizzie High figure my younger sister gave me years ago. Isn’t he adorable?
For years and years, he was really the only piece of St. Patrick’s Day decor I had.
So much of what is in the stores is just kinda-of tacky looking. But certainly okay for party decorations.
A search online found the 1998 figure, Sean Fitzpatrick, currently available for $56. It says he’s holding a bouquet of clover for his mum. How sweet it that?
I see they also have my three other Lizzie High figures in stock. See them decorating my home in Thanksgiving Figures, Pilgrims and Indians Decorate Home, and Not-So-Scary Halloween Decor Home Tour.
Do you have any Lizzie High dolls?
Although I’ve incorporated seasonal Byer’s Choice characters into centerpieces, this is the first time I used one of the Lizzies.
Last year’s St. Patrick’s Day table showcased a Quick and Easy Lucky Leprechaun Centerpiece.
But, Lucky doesn’t live here anymore. On an impulse to open up some storage space, I posted the holiday arrangement in my Etsy shop. To my delight and dismay he sold in just a few days and now resides in Kentucky.
So, I flanked laddie Sean with two gold pots of faux clover (Michaels) for a simple display on the St. Patrick’s Day table. A trio of shamrocks adds a wee bit of height to each.
Kindle leprechauns hangout on either end of the centerpiece, with a few gold coins scattered down the tablerunner.
Because where else but by a pot of gold would you expect to find mischievous leprechauns?
I’ve had the leprechauns for years; after finding them on a post-holiday clearance at a local shop. Do you have any Kindles?
When One Plate is Enough
For this St. Patrick’s Day table, I only set out the Ireland Pursuit dinner plates, cups and saucers. Cereal bowls and luncheon plates are at three place settings on the kitchen island; where we most often sit for breakfast and lunch.
Without a dish stack, you can see the full hunt scene and decorative border depicted on the dinner plate.
Two Debbee’s Buzz followers who saw the original Ireland Pursuit St. Patrick’s Day Table, fell in love with the dish pattern.
Bobbie (another dish addict) received eight place settings and serving pieces for Valentine’s Day from her husband as a gift — lucky girl! That’s more than I have!
And, Pattie found cups and saucers on eBay to add to her dish stash.
Hand-Painted Shamrock Glasses
Have you ever tried to find St. Patrick’s Day tableware in local stores like Kohl’s, Home Goods or Marshalls? I’ve been looking every year for a long time, and mostly have come up empty. Linens like tablecloths, napkins and placemats; yes. Dishes, napkin rings and stemware; not so much.
Many years ago, I found a single, shamrock-shaped plate I loved at TJ Maxx. I went all over PIttsburgh to other outlets searching for more. Nadda.
I’ve placed the shamrock dish on the Ireland Pursuit dinner plate to see how it looks.
Aww, if only I had three more! In reality, I use the single shamrock plate as a spoon rest on the kitchen island, by the cooktop.
I’ve also been equally unsuccessful in finding dark, forest green stemware for either an everyday or St. Patrick’s Day table — to go with the Ireland Pursuit dishes. But what I really want is vintage glasses; a much harder challenge.
So, for the St. Patrick’s Day table, I hand-painted my own shamrock glasses. Nothing fancy. How do you think they turned out?
I ran out to Dollar Tree for four glasses.
Dark green and metallic gold speciality paint (Michaels) I already had from crafting peacock feather goblets.
The wine glasses were the first I ever painted, and were Peacock Party Favors for a My Favorite Things Party.
Shenanigans Welcome
Did you notice this St. Patrick’s Day sign (Pier 1) hanging in the background of the kitchen? It makes me smile!
Will you be celebrating and wearing green for the holiday?
If you’d like to take a virtual trip to Ireland, join me on an 12 Day Itinerary in Emerald Isle, Ireland Trip to Cobh, Blarney & Dingle Peninsula, and Irish Vacation: Cliffs of Moher & Arian Islands.
May the road rise to meet you!
Pin Me
Featured Post
Link Parties
I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Turn About Tuesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Whimsical Home Projects, In Link Party, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Your shamrock ☘️ glasses look great!! Seems the stores I shop in don’t carry much St. Patrick’s Day stuff either, I have had the same issues, when I finally find something I like, they only have one. Nice you could flip your runner over and get a completely different look!!
Aww thanks Ann! I’m actually in NYC for the weekend visiting one of our sons and brought the glasses with me for a little party tomorrow. Much to my delight, he wants to keep them!
Ooh…ahhhh! Thanks for sharing.
Hope you have a happy day Rhonda!
Top of the morning to you and your lovely table. So true, St. Patty’s tableware is hard to find. Your glasses turned out great, one of these days I will need to try my hand at painted glasses. Have you tested them to see if they are dishwasher safe? Enjoy the day wherever it takes you.
And to you Lee! I’m here in NYC at my sons’ place for the holiday. These were the easiest glass designs I’ve done. It’s the first time I baked them other than just air curing. They are supposed to be top-rack DW safe after that. Will let you know after the weekend’s festivities.
Although I loved all of your decor; (my last name was O’Malley for 15 years and my kids are Marianne Meghan and Patrick Desmond), I FELL for those dishes most of all! I don’t do much for St. Patrick’s Day anymore although I did make and send cards. I do have a small spot on a living room wall with a collection of Irish blessings in frames, cast resin crosses, etc. year ound. I’m 1/2 Polish and Scotch Irish. I agitated for an Irish CD to be put on the other day and realize I have missed the music (great for housework!). I liked your glasses but I would be tempted to put 1 1/2″ diameter pillar candles in them so the colors would shine through like stained glass! I have seen more Irish glassware at Goodwill than I have stores! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!
My sons have very Irish first, middle and last names too. I’m delighted you liked the glasses so much Kathy! Thanks. It’d be just as easy and inexpensive to paint on a Dollar Tree candle holder or votive. Hmmm, that’s a good idea, I may do that for next year. Still gonna a keep an eye out for dark green vintage glasses to go with the dishes for everyday.
Love all the table settings, Debbee! You started my love affair with the Pursuit china, of course, and I’ve so enjoyed dining with them… the few times we’ve used them so far. We always get compliments on the set. Wish I had your artistic talent–the shamrock glasses are adorable. Even my stick-figures look bad lol! I never have done much for St. Paddy’s, even though I am part Irish, but now I can because of this lovely Pursuit china. Know you’re having a ball at your son’s place! HUgs!
Hi ya Bobbi! We did have a great time in NYC. On Sunday — for St Paddy’s Day — my son hosted Sunday Supper for his friends. We used the glasses I painted, had a great meal cooked on the grill, a fire going, watched Selection Sunday (basketball brackets for March Madness), and played a few games. The best part was the opportunity to see his friends — all of whom have also been to our home in Pittsburgh.
Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #ThursdayFavoriteThings this week. Visit me at https://www.marilynstreats.com on thursday morning to see your feature!
Oh Marilyn, that’s great! I really appreciate it. I try not to miss a single week of TFT as there are so many great ideas and inspiration to be found there.
Hi There, I have found that Etsy is a good source for holiday table items. I found some great shamrock napkin rings there. If you are looking for emerald green goblets, I found some great ones online at the Vermont Country Store, a bit pricey but I use them several times a year.
Just found the cute metal green shamrock napkin rings I bought, on Amazon. I have started checking there because small business owners are beginning to sell on there.
Good tip Beth! I too just discovered shamrock napkin rings on Amazon while writing up the blog post and provided a link to them under Related Post Picks. It’s nice to see them representing small businesses.
Hi Beth, thanks for stopping by! I have also had good success at Etsy with vintage Christmas napkin rings, and locating my Liberty Blue dishes. Late last fall, I opened my own Etsy shop, DebbeesBuzzBoutique, mostly to sell my wreaths and decorations made for the Alice in Wonderland, Unbirthday Party Reveal.
THOSE DISHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and all throughout most of the year from my perspective! Wow! Those are really cool! You are such the artist…those glasses are top notch! Maybe if I take up drinking again I can steady my hands enough to do something like that!? Beautiful job, Debbee!!!!!!!!!
She’s baaack! Hi Alycia, I have so missed your comments. Hope your return means you are now well on the road to recovery and feeling well?
Love the new Shenanigan’s sign and those painted glasses. Of all the things I can do, I can’t draw or paint very well. It would have been easy to make napkin rings. I may make some to sell.
Is your son ready to let us tour his place in NY yet ? Have fun.
Thanks Myrna! The shamrocks don’t take any artistic talent — I used an elementary school teacher’s step by step instructions I found on Pinterest! Making napkin rings would be fun. You’ll have to share some of your creations on Pinterest or Instagram. And setting up an Etsy shop is easy. It’s the shipping costs that kill me on my wreaths. But, napkin rings would are small.
I actually wrote this post a year ago. Since then, I’ve asked my son several times if I could share some photos of his wonderful place, but each time I get a big “no.” He’s a very private person, so I have to respect that.
Such a great table, I LOVE those dishes! The hunting scenes are marvelous. Makes me really want to get to Ireland (it’s on my bucket list). The table runner is lovely. I found shamrock napkin rings on Amazon, but only in silver, so I just spray painted them gold! I will be ready to share my St. Patrick’s table soon, too!
Hi ya Chloe, thanks for stopping by! Back when I bought the dishes they were a bit of a splurge, but here I am 25 plus years later and still using them for everyday! We are actually going to Ireland this summer for two weeks — part tour, part on our own to visit 5 towns I’ve traced my husband’s ancestors to. I’m really excited, as like you, it’s been high on the bucket list. Looking forward to seeing your St Paddy table!
Your dishes are so pretty! And I love the twig utensils! I’m going to use this as one of my features this Saturday at the Snickerdoodle Link Party!
Wow, Roseann, great to hear! Really appreciate being featured. And, to think those are just my everyday dishes!
So many pretty things, but that flatware is a showstopper! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Ann, everyone loves that flatware. One of the best tableware investments I’ve ever made. Used it in lots of different tablescapes yearound too.
Your table is so pretty! I also love setting beautiful tablescapes. Your St. Patty’s day table inspires me to try one of my own!
Hi Niky, thanks for stopping by! Always the nicest compliment to inspire someone.
Love that china! I fall hard for these kinds of country patterns 🙂
Ireland Pursuit is appropriately named, because once I saw it in that shop, I went on a mission to have it. So glad I did, as I love it every bit as much all these years later.
Congratulations, your St. Paddy s Day table is featured in the Friday with friends link party! Thanks for adding your posts Debbee 🙂
I must bee lucky then! Thanks so much Rachelle.
Debbee, Thanks for sharing with us. Look for your feature on tomorrow’s Charming Homes & Gardens Link Party.
Lucky me! Appreciate the feature Rachel, but will miss the weekly party. Wishing you all the best!
Your table is so pretty Debbee! I’m always so inspired by your tablescapes. I usually don’t decorate or create tablescapes for St/ Patrick’s Day, but you might be changing my mind. So happy to be featuring you on Charming Homes and Gardens tomorrow.
My married name and both our sons first names are very Irish, even if I’m only a “wee” bit (although with my green eyes and freckles everyone thinks I am 100% lol). So, we always celebrate the holiday with a special meal. Plus, my fav color is green (that’s why my Mini Cooper is British Racing Green). I’m delighted to be featured and love the idea of inspiring Irish decorations and tables.
Debbee, your tables are always fun and festive.Thanks for sharing all the green inspiration. I hope going to style a tree table this weekend.
So nice of you to say Sarah! A tree table? I’m intrigued!
Debbee, Your St Patrick’s Day table looks great. I love the glasses you painted and your dishes are spectacular! So unique and classy. I love all your centerpieces and the Byers Choice dolls and Lizzies are very nice. Again very classy. When you go to Ireland this summer maybe you will find some lovely pieces to add to your decor. I enjoyed your post.
By the way, how did your ski trip go?
Oh yes Bonnie, I definitely hope to add at least one piece of Belleek to my tableware collection. We also will be visiting the Waterford factory to see where my Kenmare stemware was made years ago. The original trip date was to be summer 2020, and now will be over two years later because of the pandemic.
I’ve been regrouping since our return from Jackson Hole and trying to publish a post on the ski trip. We had a wonderful trip with our son and his girl. The scenery was spectacular, loved our airbnb rental at the resort base, and enjoyed all the great restaurants and variety in charming Jackson. But, they hadn’t had much fresh snow in nearly a month, making the terrain more icy. Overall, the pitch of their trails was also steeper and more challenging than other places. I had a couple of hard falls. So, I never went higher than mid mountain to ski after that.