Celebrate St Patricks Day in Ireland

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

Ireland is the perfect destination for anyone looking to experience the magic of St. Patrick’s Day. Every year on March 17th, the entire country marks the feast day of its patron saint with parades, traditional music, dancing, and feasting. Whether you plan to join the enormous crowds in Dublin or take in a smaller local celebration in Galway or Cork, the atmosphere across the island is unlike anywhere else on earth.

The Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Dublin parade is the centrepiece of Ireland’s national celebrations and draws hundreds of thousands of spectators from around the world each March 17th. The route runs through the heart of the city, typically passing from Parnell Square south along O’Connell Street, across the Liffey, and finishing near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Floats, marching bands, community groups, and performers from across Ireland and beyond take part, making it one of Europe’s largest street festivals.

A few practical points for parade day in Dublin:

  • Arrive early. Viewing spots along the route fill up hours before the 12:00 noon start. Parnell Square and O’Connell Street offer wide footpaths and good sightlines.
  • Dress for the weather. March in Dublin is cold and frequently wet. Waterproof layers, a hat, and good boots will make the day far more comfortable.
  • Plan your route home. Public transport runs at full capacity but gets extremely busy after the parade ends. Having a meeting point and an exit strategy will save considerable frustration.
  • The festival runs for several days. St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin typically spans four or five days around March 17th, with free outdoor concerts, céilí dancing, historical tours, and light shows. Check the official programme in advance for ticketed events you want to attend.

Where to Visit

Dublin

Dublin is the hub of the national celebrations and has enough to fill several days before and after the parade.

  • Temple Bar: A lively quarter packed with bars, live music venues, and restaurants. Expect large crowds on parade weekend but a great atmosphere throughout.
  • Trinity College Dublin: Home to the Book of Kells and the Long Room library. Book timed entry tickets in advance as demand spikes significantly around St. Patrick’s Day.
  • Guinness Storehouse: A self-guided tour through the history of Ireland’s most famous stout, finishing with a pint in the Gravity Bar overlooking the city.
  • Kilmainham Gaol: A former prison that played a central role in Irish history, particularly the 1916 Rising. The guided tour is one of the most informative history experiences in the country.
  • Phoenix Park: One of the largest enclosed city parks in Europe. A walk or cycle through the park offers a welcome break from the crowds in the city centre.

Cork

Cork holds its own St. Patrick’s Day parade through the city centre, a tradition that draws large local crowds. The English Market is worth a visit for local produce, artisan food, and a genuine slice of Cork life. The city’s pub scene is strong, and live traditional music sessions are easy to find on March 17th and the days around it.

Galway

Galway is known for its traditional music culture, and the city comes alive around St. Patrick’s Day with sessions in pubs along Shop Street and Quay Street. The city also runs its own parade. The atmosphere is slightly more intimate than Dublin, making it a good option for those who prefer a smaller-scale celebration.

Where to Eat

Traditional Irish Food

St. Patrick’s Day is a good occasion to try classic Irish dishes. Look out for:

  • Irish stew: Slow-cooked lamb or beef with root vegetables and barley, a staple in pubs and traditional restaurants.
  • Coddle: A Dublin dish of sausages, bacon, onion, and potato, slow-cooked in broth.
  • Soda bread: Dense, slightly tangy bread made with bicarbonate of soda rather than yeast. Found in almost every bakery and most restaurants.
  • Boxty: A potato pancake, common in the north midlands but found across the country.

Pubs Worth Knowing

  • The Brazen Head, Dublin: Claimed to be Ireland’s oldest pub, with a history going back centuries. Reliable food and a lively atmosphere on parade weekend.
  • O’Donoghue’s, Dublin: A well-known traditional music pub on Merrion Row. Sessions can start at any hour and the crowds on St. Patrick’s Day are substantial.
  • The Long Valley, Cork: A Cork institution with a loyal local following and straightforward food.

Book tables well in advance for any restaurant visit around March 17th. Many venues in Dublin are fully reserved by early March.

Where to Stay

Accommodation fills quickly across Dublin and other major cities for the St. Patrick’s Day period. Book as early as possible, ideally months in advance.

Dublin

  • The Shelbourne: A long-established five-star hotel overlooking St. Stephen’s Green, well-placed for the parade route.
  • The Westbury: A central hotel on Grafton Street with comfortable rooms and a reliable restaurant.
  • Budget options: Dublin has a wide range of hostels and mid-range hotels across the city. Areas like Rathmines and Ranelagh offer quieter, more affordable options with easy access to the city centre by bus.

Cork and Galway

Both cities have a good spread of hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs across various price ranges. Staying slightly outside the city centres can reduce costs and is manageable with public transport or a short taxi ride.

Activities and Things to Do

Attend the Festival Programme

The St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin extends well beyond the parade itself. Past editions have included large outdoor concerts in parks, traditional music showcases, céilí dancing in public spaces, and late-night events at cultural venues. Check the official programme each year for full details and book ticketed events early.

Explore Ireland’s Heritage

  • National Museum of Ireland: Multiple sites in Dublin covering archaeology, decorative arts, and natural history. Free entry to the permanent collections.
  • Newgrange and the Boyne Valley: A UNESCO World Heritage site north of Dublin with passage tombs dating back over 5,000 years. Day trips from Dublin are straightforward by tour bus or car.
  • The Cliffs of Moher: On the west coast in County Clare, a dramatic stretch of sea cliffs that is one of Ireland’s most visited natural landmarks. Allow a full day from Dublin or use it as a stop on a trip through the west.

Get Outside

  • Phoenix Park, Dublin: Extensive parkland with walking and cycling paths, a Victorian walled garden, and a large deer herd.
  • Howth Head: A short DART train ride from Dublin city centre, with cliff walks offering good sea views.
  • Connemara: For those with more time and a car, the landscape of Connemara in County Galway is some of the most dramatic in the country.

Traditional Music

Live traditional music sessions take place in pubs across the country throughout St. Patrick’s week. These are informal gatherings of musicians rather than ticketed performances. Sessions in smaller towns and villages often offer a more authentic experience than those in central Dublin tourist pubs.

Getting There

  • By air: Dublin Airport (DUB) is the main international gateway, with direct connections from North America, Europe, and elsewhere. Cork Airport (ORK) and Shannon Airport (SNN) serve the south and west respectively.
  • By sea: Ferry services operate from the UK, including Holyhead to Dublin and Fishguard or Pembroke to Rosslare. An option for those travelling from Britain who want to bring a car.

Getting Around

  • Dublin: The Luas tram network, Dublin Bus, and the DART suburban rail line cover the city and inner suburbs well. On parade day itself, some routes are diverted, so check Transport for Ireland updates in advance.
  • Between cities: Bus Eireann and Irish Rail connect Dublin with Cork, Galway, Limerick, and other cities. Journey times are reasonable and services are frequent.
  • Car hire: Useful for exploring rural areas and the west coast, but unnecessary if you are staying in Dublin for the main celebrations.

Practical Tips

  • Currency: The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but having some cash is useful in smaller pubs and markets.
  • Weather: March is typically cold, wet, and changeable. Average temperatures in Dublin hover around 8-10°C. Pack waterproofs and dress in layers regardless of what the forecast says.
  • Crowds: St. Patrick’s Day is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Ireland. Book flights, accommodation, and any ticketed events as far in advance as possible.
  • Respect the occasion: St. Patrick’s Day remains a public holiday with genuine cultural and religious significance. While the celebrations are inclusive and welcoming to visitors, the day means more to many Irish people than a simple street party.

Sláinte! (Cheers!)