Irish or not, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated worldwide across many major cities, especially those with sizable Irish communities, from Chicago to Buenos Aires to Sydney to Vancouver, holding lively celebrations that are accessible to all.
But nothing tops celebrating the national holiday in the Irish capital. Dublin throws a four-day festival from Friday the 15th to Monday the 18th of March, complete with pub crawls, fireworks, and foot stomping. There will be parades, family-friendly events, and a vibrant nightlife that culminates early on the fourth day of this four-day celebration.
What is St Patrick’s Day like in Dublin?
St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday and a celebration of Irish patriotism that marks the anniversary of the death of Ireland’s patron saint. With traditional music sessions, cèilidh (Irish dance parties), costumes, comedy and lots of tremendous craic in the pub, the nation comes to life in brilliant colour every year.
Dublin is the hub of activity, although all of Ireland will participate in the festivities. It’s supposed that St. Patrick used the shamrock to symbolise the Holy Trinity when he first brought Christianity to Ireland. You’ll see it everywhere for this reason. And not what people sometimes mistake it for the four-leaf clover.
Taking in the mood on the streets on Paddy’s Day is one of the most incredible ways to experience Dublin. The Irish spirit is best exemplified by the little things, such as the strong camaraderie and the lively bars full of people keen to have a good time.
What’s happening at the St Patrick’s Day Parade this year?
This year, half a million people are anticipated to line Dublin’s streets for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, first held in 1931. It happens on the 17th of March – a Sunday this year.
Over 4,000 participants are expected for the parade, featuring marching bands from North America and Ireland. This covers elaborate pageants as well as more substantial showpiece performances. 2024’s theme is Spréach, which means “spark” in Irish.
The parade will feature a unique “Relaxed Parade Space” at College Green for the first time. It’s intended for people who are neurodivergent or have heightened sensory sensitivity. Wheelchair accessibility will be available, and the area will have distinct volume zones for spectators who wish to experience the parade at low, medium, or high volume. Families can apply here to join the fun in the Relaxed Space.
What route will the St. Patrick’s Day parade take this year?
At midday, the parade will depart from Parnell Square and travel 1.5 miles up O’Connell Street, crossing the Liffey onto Westmoreland Street and passing Trinity College. After that, it’ll follow Dame Street and turn left at Christchurch Cathedral, arriving at St. Patrick’s Cathedral as its destination, finishing at 2pm.
Do I need tickets for the St. Patrick’s Day parade?
No, you can show up wherever you happen to be on the way. But tickets are needed for the five covered grandstands along the Parade route. These can be found at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, O’Connell Street, Parnell Square, Westmoreland Street, and Christchurch. Because they sell out quickly, tickets should be purchased in advance to ensure a seat. They are available online, with a starting price of €100.
How about the St Patrick’s Day Festival?
The parade is merely the highlight of a larger St. Patrick’s Day celebration. From Friday the 16th of March to Sunday the 18th, the National Museum of Ireland will host its “Festival Quarter” in honour of Irish art, culture, and tradition. Events during the day are free, but are ticketed and restricted to adults after 6pm.
A main outdoor stage, an Irish food and artisan village, a Story Yurt, and a funfair provide opportunities for visitors to fully immerse themselves in Irish culture. The Mother DJs, Holly Munro, Denise Chaila, Celaviedmai, and Mariachi San Patricio are scheduled to play. Tickets are found online. There will be a lot of club nights and live events throughout the rest of Dublin. There will also be talks, one of which facilitated by author Emma Dabiri and activist Bernadette Devlin McAliskey. The talk will trace the life story of Marcus Garvey, the Harlem civil rights activist who drew inspiration from Ireland’s early 20th-century struggle for independence. Wake, a theatre production that blends live music, dance, circus, aerial, drag, and Irish traditional dance, is another highlight of the St. Patrick’s Festival schedule.
The best places to get a pint in Dublin
Although Temple Bar is one of Dublin’s most traditional and ancient areas, locals gravitate elsewhere to avoid the expensive and frequently crowded pubs. Of course, visiting Temple Bar is a must-do while visiting Dublin, and St Patrick’s Day is no different. But it’ll be packed with partygoers, so if that doesn’t appeal to you, go through and head to one of the many other pubs that will be slightly less congested.
Try the adjacent Stag’s Head for trad sessions for a more laid-back vibe, or hang out on the street near Kehoe’s. Having been there for over 250 years, the Long Hall is an excellent spot to have a drink. If you find a seat, grabbing a street-side Grogan’s ham-and-cheese toastie is somewhat of a Dublin rite of passage. But, throughout the Paddy’s Day weekend, you should anticipate that most central bars will be packed with people. Embrace it, join the queue and strike up a conversation with locals and other tourists as you wait for a pint.
Plenty of places worth visiting can be found by strolling along the pedestrianised Capel Street north of the Liffey, including Pantibar, one of the most well-known gay bars in the city. Pubs abound in the adjoining Northside neighbourhoods of Smithfield and Stoneybatter and serve great Guinness (try Walshs, the Cobblestone, the Glimmer Man or Hynes’ Bar).
Traditional pubs like Arthur’s and Fallon’s sit south of the Liffey, with more contemporary venues like the music-focused bar Love Tempo. You can also explore a street in Dublin that goes by several names – South Great George’s St, Aungier St, Wexford St, and Camden St, to find out where the party is. Some popular places to look for are the George, Swan Bar, Anseo, Camden Exchange, and many more. People eager to celebrate the occasion will also be swarming Fade Street, which is dotted with bars and restaurants. Purchasing a ticket to the Guinness Storehouse, which has its own mini-festival for St. Patrick’s Day from the 14th of March to the 18th, will get you to the heart of the celebration. Anticipate an extensive programme featuring Irish music, dance, cuisine, and history.
