Sam Wylie-Harris raises her glass to the week’s best buys

BETWEEN bursts of sunshine and heavy squalls, a vast majority of the Emerald Isle will be thronging to the pubs and raising the roof on March 17 to toast their patron saint.

A public holiday in Ireland, St Patrick's Day is celebrated the world over with colourful parades, live music festivals, traditional dance, leprechaun costumes and the ubiquitous three-leaf clover.

However, if you don't have the Irish roots to join in the Gaelic fun, why not give St Patrick’s Day the green light at home with some delicious wine and food matches, and of course, the beloved black stuff!

With more than five million pints of Guinness sold in the UK each year to mark the occasion, picking up a four-pack of cans (Guinness Draught, £4.99, supermarkets nationwide) is essential to this party, along with a bottle of Champagne if you fancy a black velvet cocktail.

For revellers thirsty for something with a little more kick, Jameson Irish whiskey (£17.56, 70cl, supermarkets nationwide) have launched a limited edition silver bottle that is embellished with a shamrock.

European Distiller of the Year, Cooley Distillery, has two excellent offerings which are worth making a song and dance about.

If you love a smouldering peaty nose, try Connemara Peated Single Malt (£25, 70cl, Waitrose) which is honey sweet with vanilla oak notes. Or, try Tyrconnell Single Malt (£26.50, 70cl, Oddbins) which won Gold Best in Class at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009.