St. Patrick's Day fanatics are facing another tough decision this year, with the annual celebration of Irish culture falling in the middle of the week for the second year in a row.

One of the nation's premier shamrocking bands, Boston punks the [artist id="150136"]Dropkick Murphys[/artist], happen to have a new live album, Live on Lansdowne, which was recorded last year during their seven-show, six-night St. Paddy's run.They're back at the House of Blues in Boston on Wednesday night (March 17) for the second night of a sold-out stand with Sick of It All and gypsy punks Larry and His Flask.

As usual, Boston is a nexus of Irish rock gigs, with Toronto's appropriately named Celtic rock band Enter the Haggis teaming up with Hoots and Hellmouth at the city's Showcase Live! one of the city's favorite sons, former Murphys singer Mick McColgan, and his Street Dogs hit the Cobra Lounge in Chicago on Wednesday as well.

California's answer to the Murphys, [artist id="710304"]Flogging Molly[/artist] -- who also have a new live album out, Live at the Greek Theatre -- are in the midst of their annual Green 17 Tour, which will find them in Tempe, Arizona, for the big night playing at the Luckyman's St. Patrick's Day Bash at Tempe Beach Park.

Another long-running Irish punk act, Black 47, who warmed up for the big day with a show at Boston's Showcase Live! on Tuesday night, will touch down at B.B. King's in New York to play their 21st St. Patrick's Day gig, also a celebration of a new CD, Bankers & Gangsters. One of the most popular traditional Irish bands on the planet, the long-running Chieftains, have a gig at New York's Town Hall in support of their new album, San Patricio, which blends the music of the Emerald Isle and Mexico with guest spots from Linda Ronstadt, Liam Neeson and Los Tigres del Norte.

And while legendary pub rockers the Pogues don't have any gigs planned this year, sadly, Chicago's the Tossers will do their best to honor the spirit of Shane MacGowan and company with a throwdown at one of their hometown's premier rock clubs, the Metro.

And finally, celtic rockers the Young Dubliners will play the ShamRock in the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego in the evening and then hit the House of Blues in Los Angeles for a 10:30 gig later that night. The ShamRock will also feature sets from Irish pub rockers the Fooks, No Doubt cover band No Duh and a headline spot from SD's favorite Irish punk band the Down Family.