Do you love to dance and sing, the colour green and the occasional pint of Guinness? Then a trip to Ireland to experience St. Patrick’s Day sounds exactly like the thing for you! Discover Dublin with friends and experience the biggest festival Ireland has to offer. Take a break from the festivities and enjoy one of many cultural and artistic activitis the country has to offer.
Go treasure hunting
If you’re feeling a desire to challenge yourself, the Festival Treasure Hunt is a must-do event! Channel your inner detective while competing with fellow festival goers to solve clues spread across the city. Even if treasure hunting isn’t one of your strengths, this event is still worth checking out because of the great music, theatrics, and prizes for best costumes. The event begins at 10 am on Saturday, March 19th, and takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete.
When is St Patrick’s Day?
March 17th is actually the date that Saint Patrick died and it’s the day of international celebration. However, if you head to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day, the Festival begins on March 17th and last three full days filled with parties and celebrations.
Follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick
Other options for entertainment include participating in the many artistic and cultural events throughout the city which highlight Irish literature, spoken word, film, music, and visual art. Consider joining the “In the Footsteps of St. Patrick” walking tour where you’ll enjoy a stroll through Dublin while learning about the legends behind Ireland’s patron saint. You can also watch a variety of performances from local and international street buskers who deliver eye-catching acts in the city’s center.
How did St. Patrick’s Day start?
St. Patrick was an enslaved Irish man who escaped to a monastery in present-day France, and who would eventually return to Ireland in the year 432 as a missionary. St. Patrick’s role in spreading Christianity in Ireland caused him to be named the country’s patron saint. During the Revolutionary War, Irish soldiers held the first St. Patrick’s Day parade, as a way to remember and connect with their roots even as they settled in America.
St. Patrick’s Festival Parade
This parade is an annual highlight of St. Patrick’s festival, celebrated by locals and visitors alike! Each year, a theme is chosen for the parade, and participants dance and perform in the street to the delight of the spectators who come from all over the world to be part of the celebration. This is one of the most vibrant and exciting parts of the entire festival, so make sure you arrive early to find a great viewing spot!
How is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated?
Initially, St. Patrick’s Day was mostly celebrated outside of Ireland, as a way for Irish immigrants to celebrate their heritage. Now, though, the celebration has become Dublin’s largest festival! Locals tend to have the day off work, which means the streets will be packed full of locals and visitors alike. The best way to get in the spirit of things is to spend time with friends (new and old!) in one of Dublin’s popular pubs.
Why do we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?
Generally, there are two main reasons people wear green on St. Patty’s Day. Green was the color of the revolutions that took place in Ireland in the 1600s, relating it permanently to the Irish national identity. However, there’s also a legend that states wearing green makes the wearer invisible to fairies and leprechauns. As the legend goes, if you weren’t wearing green, the creatures would be able to see you, and even pinch you which is why in the United States people pinch those not wearing green!
What to pack for St. Patrick’s Day?
First and foremost, bring your green! Green shirts, green hats, green socks, and anything else you can find will help you blend right in and get you in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Because the weather during March in Dublin can be temperamental, make sure to pack extra layers. A rain jacket wouldn’t hurt either!
What’s the weather like on St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day takes place in mid-March, and the weather in Dublin at that time can vary greatly day-to-day. In general, however, expect high temperatures of about 10 °C, and lows of around 3 °C.
How to Prepare for the St. Patrick’s Day
When most people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day they do so with only two essentials in mind: green beer and heavy drinking. If you really want to impress people while waiting for your next pint at the bar, keep these St. Patty’s Day facts on hand:
- Patrick was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary
- History tells us that Patrick converted thousands of Northern Irish from paganism to Christianity
- It’s customary to wear shamrocks and green clothing because it’s believed that Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to his disciples
- St. Patrick’s Day is also celebrated in certain regions of Japan and Korea!
- March 17th is actually the date that Saint Patrick died
- Around 1 million travelers a year visit Dublin to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, which begins on March 17th and ends on March 20th
- The most prominent Dublin event is the St. Patrick’s Day Festival Parade which begins at noon on the 17th March.
- Book travel arrangements and accommodations early!
- Withdraw cash in advance of March 17th to avoid lines at ATMs.
- Bring your green clothes and accessories with you to save yourself time and money.
- Plan to spend at least five days in Dublin to ensure you can experience the Festival without having to rush.
- Wear closed-toe shoes during the festival as the streets can get messy by nightfall with beer bottles and broken glass.
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