St. Patrick’s Day is a yearly holiday on March 17. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish. Typically celebrations include parades/festivals, céilí, and wearing green and/or shamrocks. Did you know? St. Patrick’s Day was popularized by Irish immigrants in the United States and thought wearing green made them invisible to leprechauns (fairy creatures who pinch anyone they can see). If you don’t wear green, you might be pinched! St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is a huge draw and a yearly festival is held. I spent St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin in 2017 and it was very enjoyable! This post includes recommendations and stories of my time visiting to give you a sense of how the city really is during this Irish holiday.
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General Information for St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin
St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin is a city-wide festival event. Many hotels and hostels release rooms in blocks so you might not be able to book a hotel months in advance but there are some rooms still available the day you arrive. I met people from the USA and New Zealand who arrived at the hostel I stayed at the day before St. Patrick’s Day and found a room. If you visit in a group, you may have to split up if you don’t book in advance.
The St. Patrick’s Day Festival typically is held from March 16 to about March 19 in the City of Dublin. The festival schedule comes out early February and events are added until the beginning of March. Be sure to check often: I didn’t and there were a few events I missed because I didn’t request a ticket early enough.
As with many festivals around the world, it will be busy. All bars, festival activities and even tourist attractions will be a lot busier than usual. If you’re not interested in visiting Dublin for the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, I recommend avoiding the city during this time. However, it is a wonderful time to visit and the festival activities show you a lot about Irish culture, like the Festival Ceili.
St. Patrick’s Day Festival Activities
There are a few paid events and a lot of free ones. Check the website in early February for the list of events and book tickets online when you can. The events book up quickly! I recommend the Festival Ceili (free), St Patrick’s Day Parade (free) and a walking tour ($). If you can, get tickets to the city wide scavenger hunt (free). You’ll find a full list of festival activities on the City’s website.
Of course there are lots of people day drinking in the city (particularly along Temple Bar) and keep in mind March 17 is a holiday in Ireland so some places may be closed if you choose to be a tourist.
Book Accommodations in Dublin during St. Patrick’s Day
Story time: I tried booking accommodations in January 2017 to attend in March 2017. Most places required you to book a minimum of 3 nights (some were 5 or 7) between dates surrounding March 17. The problem with booking online was that March 17 sold out the fastest. So, when I looked in January only one place was available for a minimum booking of 3 nights but March 17 was booked solid (i.e. I had to book for the 15, 16 and 18 online but couldn’t find a room for the 17). I emailed the hostel and they were able to book me a private room ($$$$$$$). BUT, when I checked in they had single beds in multi dorms available and let me switch and offered me the cheaper rate. I spoke with other people who were staying at my hostel who booked up to a week before St. Patrick’s Day and they were able to get one or two nights’ accommodation. Another guy literally showed up on the 16th and asked if they had any beds available. I recommend looking online but check regularly to get a place you want. If you’re more spontaneous you can certainly show up day of to see if there is anything available but if you’re going with a group then chances are you’ll be split up.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Story Time: A few reviews online told me to go early to get a good spot – they weren’t kidding. I arrived on the street around 11 AM (parade started at 12 PM) and couldn’t get a spot right at the railing so I stood behind a few kids so I could at least see over them. By the time the beginning of the parade got to me on Dame Street near Trinity College, it was 1 PM (see below for a map). A few bars opened around 12 PM and some people were smart enough to stand by the entrance to get a good seat inside. The parade itself was fantastic! I didn’t get to stick around for the whole thing but what I saw was great.
Guinness Storehouse Brewery Tour
I thought I was being smart and booked my brewery tour for March 18 at 10 AM. I think everyone had the same thought I did (or there were just so many people in Dublin to do it at the same time). It’s a self-guided tour but because it was so busy, each text board was so crowded that I pretty much just walked straight through the tour to the “Perfect Pour” station. The ticket is approximately €20 and you get one pint included: you can choose to get it at the Perfect Pour station or up at the Gravity Bar. If you choose to do the Perfect Pour, you can still go to the Gravity Bar after.
