15 Best Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin

The City of Dublin really puts on a show for St. Paddy’s Day! Green painted faces, loads of trad music, pubs full of people, candlelit storytelling, and of course, the famous Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade — there’s something for everyone.

There’s a lot going on in Dublin for this St. Paddy’s Day festival, but here’s a list of the best 15 things to see and do around March 17th!

1. St. Patrick’s Day Parade, O’Connell Street

The highlight of celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Dublin is, without doubt, the annual parade through the city center which attracts hundreds of thousands of people from around Ireland and abroad.

Grab a group of friends, or get ready to make some new ones, adorn yourself in green, arm yourself with a giant, inflatable hammer or some cheesy shamrock glasses and enjoy the madness that is the St Patrick’s Day parade! 

The parade route starts in Parnell Square and heads down O’Connell street, then across the river passing by Trinity College towards Nicolas Street, and Patrick Street. Learn all about the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin here. 

Cost: Totally FREE (unless you book grandstand tickets in advance, which are around €70)

2. Irish Beer & Whiskey Festival

Could you honestly think of a better way to spend St Patrick’s Day in Ireland than at a Beer and Whiskey Festival?! I didn’t think so! Running for its fourth year – the Irish Beer and Whiskey Festival, which takes place in Dublin’s RDS, is a true celebration of everything Irish – beer, cider, whiskey, food and of course live entertainment! The festival is totally indoors so you don’t need to worry about the weather! Come and celebrate St Patrick’s Week 2015 with over 15,000 friends at the Irish Beer and Whiskey Festival.

Cost:€10 entry, includes free souvenir glass and a half pint of beer!

3. The Love Brunch at The Odeon

Youth Nation Presents The Love Brunch On Tuesday 17th March from 2pm, join us for the first installment of The Love Brunch, Dublin’s biggest ever daytime brunch party. We’re bringing the city’s new favourite pastime to the next level, taking over the illustrious Odeon on Harcourt Street. Expect great food, cocktails and music across two floors and an outdoor terrace. Ticket-holders will be greeted with a morning cocktail on arrival, followed by canapés and appetizers to get everyone in the right mood. Those looking for something more substantial can make the most of the Odeon’s mouth-watering menu. There will be DJs and performers all afternoon, to keep you and your friends dancing well into the evening.

Cost:€15

4.The Funfairs

Give in to your inner child and head along to one of Dublin’s funfairs located at Merrion Square and Custom House. From the waltzers to family attractions to the carousel, there is something for everyone. Dare to be suspended upside down, turned over or whisked through the air. A firm festival favourite, the Funfairs will light up the city with colourful carnival fairgrounds. Whether you are young or young at heart seems like a great option to fill up some time on the day!

Cost: Varies

5. Storytelling in Biddy’s Cottage

Join Ireland’s leading folk artist Brighid ‘Biddy’ McLaughlin in her traditional Irish cottage in scenic Dalkey, County Dublin, for storytelling, tea and craic all in celebration of St Patrick’s Day.

Dublin-born Biddy has been a storyteller all her life, as well as a renowned self-taught artist, she welcomes people to her home for memorable evenings of old-fashioned storytelling, real Irish craic, tasty tea and homemade oatcakes.

6. Paddy’s Day Unlocked

Looking to experience the buzz of St Patrick’s Day and the Temple Bar region but stay away from the black stuff? Why not head to ‘Paddy’s Day Unlocked’, an alcohol-free event supported by Dublin City Council. Happenings, Nialler9, The Happy Pear and Headstrong will transform Meeting House Square into a buzzing ‘drink-free’ zone with new Irish music, local food, inspiring activities & workshops for all ages.

Cost: €5 at gate

7. Harbour2Harbour Walk

Fancy going for a seriously long walk so that you can reward yourself with lots of celebrations afterwards? If so, be sure to sign up for the Harbour2Harbour Walk, which goes all the way along the coast from Dun Laoghaire to Howth. The 16.2-mile route takes in the beautiful surroundings of Dublin Bay. Participants can choose to walk from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Howth Harbour or from Howth to Dun Laoghaire. The walk starts from 10.30am from either Harbour.

Cost: 25 euro (goes to charity!)

8. Guinness Storehouse

If your name happens to be Pat, Paddy, Patrick or any other variation you are in luck! Guinness will admit anyone named after Ireland’s Patron Saint for free on st. Patrick’s Day. If you are not lucky enough to be blessed with such a fine name, you can pay up and still head along to one of the best parties around at the home of Guinness. Expect live music, marching bands, face painting, and of course plenty of Guinness.

Cost: 18 euro at the door

9. In The Footsteps of Saint Patrick

Historian and author Pat Liddy will lead a walking tour that uncovers the fascinating history of St. Patrick. The tour takes in a number of ancient sites, including the two great medieval cathedrals of Christ Church and St. Patrick’s. The tour takes place from 2.15pm and departs from the Molly Malone Statue on Suffolk Street.

Cost: 14 euro

10. A Brazilian Flash Mob

I actually have no idea where exactly this is happening (I do believe that is the key ingredient to a flash mob!) but you can find more information here. Expect massive crowds of talented Brazilians to break into dance at any time – sure to entertain anyone this St Patrick’s Day!

11. Anywhere In Temple Bar

If you are looking for something a bit more traditional (and by ‘traditional’ I actually mean rowdiness, singling, laughing, drinking and merriment) you should most definitely soak up the atmosphere in Temple Bar. While I would steer clear from the area any other day of the year, I’m pretty sure it is THE place to be on St. Patrick’s Day. Expect huge groups of drunken tourists dressed up as leprechauns downing pints of Guinness or cans on the street. At the end of the day, if you can’t beat them…join them!

Cost: LOTS of you plan on drinking in any of these pubs!

12. South William Street Pub Crawl

If you want to stay away from the crowds of tourists in Temple Bar but are still looking for the authentic Paddy’s Day drinking session, why not head over to South William Street, known as Dublin’s new ‘creative quarter’. Creative it may be, but it also has a great selection of bars and pubs, all within stone’s throw of each other. Start with a pint and a toastie outside Grogans then make your way to Pygmilion followed Dakota and anywhere else that takes your fancy!

Cost: Not as much as Temple Bar, that’s for sure.

 

13. Watch Paddy, The Movie

Head to the Irish Film Institute on Eustace Street at 4pm to watch a screening of ‘Paddy’, an early Irish venture from producer Roger Corman. The aptly named ‘Paddy’ is the tale of amorous Dublin butcher boy Paddy, who spends most of his time seducing women and swilling pints in Mulligan’s with his reprobate friend. The screening will be introduced by writer, Lee Dunne, write of the notorious novel ‘Goodbye to the Hill’ from which the film was adapted.

Cost:€4.80

14. All Ireland Senior Club Final

This St Patrick’s Day what better way to spend the afternoon than at Ireland’s most iconic sports grounds for one of the most anticipated games of the year? Watch our country’s biggest and best clubs take the stage to lock horns for the Andy Merrigan Cup in Ireland’s most-watched national sport, GAA football. With exceptional skill and savage strength on display, this St Patrick’s Day bear witness to one of the tensest and physical games in the world at the 2015 All-Ireland Senior Club Finals at the ever-atmospheric Croke Park.

Cost: Adults €25, Under 16’s€5

15. Sober St Patrick’s Day

Do you fancy celebrating St Patrick’s day with a difference? Why not head along to Sober St Patrick’s Day in The Gresham Hotel on O Connell Street. You can even bring the children along to enjoy a jam-packed day full of set dancing, Irish traditional music, singing, storytelling, and just all-around great craic. Without the alcohol, that is.

Cost: Adults €13, Children €6

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