Grab your green! We’re spending St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. 

Have you ever wondered why we wear green? Who St. Patrick was? And exactly why your Uncle Liam is drinking green beer with beads hanging around his neck every March 17th? Embark on a journey with us as we provide details on the extravaganza of festivities that captivate locals and tourists alike. Dublin offers a kaleidoscope of experiences for those seeking to immerse themselves in the spirit of this iconic celebration.

What Is St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day began to observe the death of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. The holiday started as a religious feast and service but has transformed into a celebration of Irish culture. St Patrick’s Day became a secular celebration when Irish immigrants came to the United States. Now more popularly known for its parade, music, dancing, drinking, and abundance of participants clad in green.

How To Plan Your St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Dublin

Dublin, the capital city radiates with energy on St. Patrick’s Day. The streets are lively, filled with performances and a grand parade, while the city’s iconic landmarks like Dublin Castle and Trinity College serve as gorgeous historic backdrops. There is no shortage of music and dance on this day and crowd-goers can be seen tapping their feet to the rhythms of fiddles while sipping on a pint of Guinness. 

We arrived in this vivacious city about a day and a half before the party began. Having been greeted by an enthusiastic and more than generous Airbnb host who provided us with some local St. Paddy’s Day knickknacks we hit the streets to explore. During our stay, we learned some interesting facts and tips for making the most of celebrating the St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin.

Here are the top 10 things we learned. 

1. Wear green! We think this is pretty self-explanatory. You will see people dressed in every shade, shaking their shamrocks.

2. It’s St. Paddy’s Day, not Patty’s. A common mistake, the word Patty refers to a burger, or a woman named Patricia. Paddy is a derivative of the Irish word, Pádraig, which in Gaelic is Patrick.

3. Plan your trip in advance. We don’t recommend waiting until the last minute to figure out your travel logistics. Flights increase and hotels become scarce. So if St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin is on your bucket list start planning now. We started our itinerary in October for our trip in March. If we could do it all again we would have started planning even earlier as lodging options were limited, but we would stay again in Stoneybatter where we found a cute cosy Airbnb.

4. Get to the parade route early. The parade typically starts at noon but viewers begin filling the streets in the wee hours of the morning. We arrived at the parade at about 10 AM and found a great spot near the town hall. We felt this was the perfect time to arrive as we were not right in the front, but close enough to see the procession. Also, for my coffee drinkers especially, bathrooms weren’t easy to come by during the parade as they closed for dine-in-only customers. 

5. Take comfortable shoes. Dublin is an extremely walkable city. We found the landscape to be rather flat and easier to navigate on foot than by public transport or taxi. Plus this way you learn about your surroundings, take in the incredible local sites, and avoid pesky road closures due to festivities. 

6. Be prepared for rain. Overcast skies and rain are common in Dublin. Familiarize yourself with the parade route and keep in mind where you want to stand if begins to rain. We travel with mini umbrellas that are lightweight and easy to throw in a purse. These have definitely saved our behinds a time or two! 

7. Check out Temple Bar. An attractive district, full of entertainment, cuisine, and fellow travelers. Frequently recognized by visitors because of The Temple Bar Pub, an institution that dates back to 1840. This authentic Irish bar has provided hospitality to visitors for several hundred years. Having been a destination on our itinerary, we found the crowd to be lively and the drinks to be plentiful but costly. However, if you want to experience Irish culture at its finest we recommend checking out some pubs in smaller neighborhoods. Our favorite bar we found was The Glimmer Man in Stoneybatter. Courtney was even challenged to an arm wrestling match here by a local and won of course.

8. Be cognizant of drinking laws. If you’re from the U.S., you’re likely familiar with celebrations of the alcoholic type like Chicago’s Green River celebration, New York City’s parade, or even the Irish step dancers in Boston. But in Dublin (not Ohio), drinks on the street aren’t common. While the police, or gardi, won’t arrest you or give you a fine for drinking in public, they can take away your drinks if you’re behaving out of hand. But if you are looking for a pint,

9. If you’re looking for a bite to eat. Fish and chips are a staple in Ireland and the UK, and you can walk into just about any pub and find a tasty treat. If your palate is feeling adventurous try a spice bag. One of Ireland’s greatest creations, this dish consists of fried chicken strips and chips, or french fries as we know them, mixed with several spices. 

10. Spend more than one day in Dublin. Don’t forget to check the Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery Bow St., The Book of Kells at Trinity College, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and stroll down the River Liffey. There truly is so much to see you can’t possibly do it all in one day!  

A St. Patrick's Day to Remember

Spending St. Patrick's Day in Ireland is a truly unforgettable experience, where the warmth of Irish hospitality converges with the vibrancy of cultural celebrations. Whether reveling in the streets of Dublin or immersing in Ireland's rich history and culture, visitors are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. So, don your greenest attire, raise a toast with friends old and new, and join in the festivities of this iconic Irish holiday.

Sláinte!

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