St. Patrick's Day

Sometimes it feels like the world is packed with Irish people, and when looking at the map it’s hard to imagine how that small of a country managed to spread its genes to the extent it did.

Still, in every corner of the world, you’ll be sure to find people claiming some Irish relations (or blaming Irish blood in the case of an overly developed appreciation for beer or a thick mane of red hair).

Every March 17th, people across the globe get out their green gear to take part in the annual celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. This is the official day for anyone Irish, of Irish descent, or simply wishing they were Irish, even if just for this occasion.

If you want to go to Ireland and are looking to combine your trip with extreme pub culture and overindulgence of anything liquid, there’s no other time to go than for St. Patrick’s Day. Every March, nearly a million people from every corner of the world make their way to the capital city, Dublin, for a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater and fireworks shows. If you’re planning on going, book early! People often book a whole year in advance, not only their accommodation, but their favorite restaurant too.

St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. Up until the 1970s, Irish laws required pubs to stay closed on March 17th. However, in the mid 90s, the Irish government started a national campaign to use St. Patrick's Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. And it sure worked.

Don’t miss out on the creative parade marching through the city centre. Both children and adults look forward to this annual event. But despite warm winter coats, hot drinks and good entertainment value, the joy is even more obvious by the end of the two-hour long parade than at the beginning.

The end of the parade is when the party begins and spectators start running for the closest watering hole! Expect humor, panic, laughter and chaos, as a million people try to slake their thirst at the same time. A glass of Guinness is a mandatory accessory throughout the celebration; an Irish coffee might not be a bad choice if the parade experience has made you cold.

Dublin is a beautiful, diverse city, but a visit during the St. Patrick’s celebration might turn into a bit of a commercial experience. Make sure you squeeze in time for some real culture as well. Take a stroll along the River Liffey, enjoy a traditional meal at a pub off the beaten path, and walk the foot-steps of the city mascot, Molly Malone.

Or… sleep in, get up when you feel like it, have Guinness for breakfast and continue on where your pub-round ended the night before. After all, it’ll be a year until the next celebration!

Location:
Streets of Dublin
Ireland

Other Activity Types:
Traditional festival