Lansing - Peggy Murphy watched as her daughter jumped, tapped, spun and kicked across a wooden dance floor to the sound of Irish music Friday afternoon, a 12-year ritual for her family.

St. Patrick's Day is more than an occasion to drink green beer for Murphy, coordinator of the Irish Dance Company of Lansing - it's a day to celebrate family, Irish culture and her daughter's birthday.

Murphy's daughter, Molly Lewis, did her first jig step just before her fifth birthday. She'll celebrate her 16th birthday today.

The company is part of the Irish-American Club of Mid-Michigan and is comprised of 22 dancers ranging in age from 5 to 17. They performed for the Lansing Rotary Club on Friday and had other scheduled appearances for the weekend and the holiday.

"Their purpose is to share their gift of dance and the Irish culture in the greater Lansing community and around the state," Murphy said.

The company also serves as a way for the dancers to remember their heritage, she said.

Many of dresses and costumes are handmade by family members and embroidered with Celtic knot patterns, religious symbols and personal trademarks such as dragonflies, fairies, flowers and musical instruments.

"When they outgrow them, they keep them," she said. "Molly's first dress is encased in plastic, she won't even loan it out."

The dancers participate in an Irish dance competition, or feis, a Gaelic word for festival.

Feis dates back to when the Irish gathered and competed against members of other communities by telling stories, singing, playing instruments or dancing, Murphy said.

Because sugar was rare, the prize was often a baked good or sweet, she said. The winner would "take the cake," which is where the phrase comes from.

Murphy, whose grandfather came to the United States in the late 19th century, said she's proud of her heritage.

"We've watered down a bit," she said. "But I'm completely Irish at heart."

Family celebrations, religious services and storytelling fill Murphy's recollection of St. Patrick's Day.

"It's great to be a part of a larger culture," she said. "It's not about drinking green beer, it's about being a part of people who love their culture and love to share it."

Although St. Patrick has become an Irish icon, he was born in Britain near the end of the fourth century. He was kidnapped at age 16 and sold into slavery in Ireland.

It was on the emerald isle that St. Patrick converted to the Catholic faith, said the Rev. Mark Inglot, pastor of St. John Student Parish, 327 M.A.C. Ave.

St. Patrick converted many of the Gaelic Irish to Catholicism and was thought to have used the three-leaved shamrock to teach the Irish the trinity, Inglot said.

The holiday commemorates his death on March 17, around 460 A.D.

"If you were to be in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day it would be a day of prayer and fasting," Inglot said. "Here it's one big party."

Many MSU students are readying to take that party to heart today.

East Lansing bars are expected to be packed by noon, and students looking to celebrate St. Patrick's Day may have to look elsewhere to wet their whistle.

No more than two miles from the MSU campus rests a hub of authentic Irish pubs in downtown Lansing. Such bars as Brannigan Brothers, 210 S. Washington Square, and Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave., offer a true Irish atmosphere.

Dave and Rose McNamara will open Brannigan Brothers as early as 8 a.m. today.

Dave McNamara said his bar attracts a diverse crowd of government workers, Cooley Law School students and business professionals.

"Everyone seems to be in a good mood," he said. "It seems as if everyone takes care of their problems here.

"There are no fights, no hassles."

Brannigan Brothers will have corned beef and cabbage ready for patrons along with Irish whiskey, Guinness Stout and Harp on tap.

The diverse crowd is a feature Mike Moriarty, owner of Moriarty's Pub, said sets his establishment apart from others.

A mixed crowd of older people and college students are welcome to come into his Boston-style Irish pub.

"I enjoy the students, but I don't want to be overwhelmed by them," Moriarty said. "We welcome the college kids, they tend to be polite for the most part."

But don't count on green beer or other stereotypical "Irish" novelties.

"We don't serve green beer," he said. "If you want Irish beer, we have Guinness and Harp on tap."

Both McNamara and Moriarty expect to be at capacity for the holiday.

Mechanical engineering senior Mike Kaunelis said the atmosphere of East Lansing bars leans toward the college student.

"No matter what bar you go to down here, you will see someone you know," he said. "But there is no feeling of true Irish atmosphere. It tends to get a little generic without out that feel."

Though Kaunelis said he won't be hitting the bars until later in the day, he said he would like to experience the atmosphere of a true Irish St. Patrick's Day at an authentic Irish pub before he graduates.

Kendra Snyder can be reached at snyderk6@msu.edu.

Casey McNenly can be reached at mcnenlyc@msu.edu.