St Patrick’s Day in Ireland

There’s really no better place to spend St Patrick’s Day than Ireland!

The annual holiday falls on March 17th and the day is celebrated around the world by Irish people, their descendants and anyone who loves a good party, really! If you fall into any of those categories and plan to spend St Patrick’s Day 2025 in Ireland, we have everything you need to know in one place to plan your trip.

The best St Patrick’s Day parades and events in Ireland

There are parades all over Ireland on St Patrick’s Day. The biggest is in Dublin, the capital city, but there are hundreds of other parades and festivals in cities, towns and villages around the country.

St Patrick’s Festival Dublin

The parade in the capital draws the largest crowds by far. It’s estimated about half a million people come out to watch this parade every year. Street theatre groups, marching bands and organisations with Irish links travel from all over the country and around the world to participate. Each year the parade has a different theme that inspires the many floats and street performers meandering their way through the city.

Crowds eagerly awaiting St Patrick’s Parade Galway, Ireland

The parade is the main event of an almost week-long festival celebrating Irish culture and tradition, old and new. On a St Patrick’s Day vacation to Dublin, you can also enjoy historical tours, contemporary art, music, songs and storytelling from times long past to today.

Parades in other towns and cities

There are parades in every major town and city around the country including Cork, Waterford, Galway, Limerick and Kilkenny. If you find yourself in any of these places you’ll be entertained by some of the country’s best street performers, bands and businesses who all work together to create a parade full of craic and colour for all the family.

The Earliest Parade – Dingle, Co. Kerry

Join revellers at 6am for a torch-lit St Patrick’s day parade through this beautiful Irish town.

Dingle, Kerry

Tips for attending a parade on St Patrick’s Day in Ireland

1. Arrive early: If you’re attending a parade in one of the bigger towns or cities arrive at least an hour before the parade is due to start to secure a good vantage point. If you’re attending a parade in a small town or village you can reduce this to 15 minutes before the start time!
2. Research the parade route: Most of the bigger parades will publish their routes online. If you want a good view point or have young children with you, consider staying away from the main thoroughfares to get a better view.
3. Dress for the weather – any weather! There is no typical St Patrick’s day weather in Ireland. Some years the mercury can be close to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, great for a spring day in Ireland. Others it can still feel like winter with wind, rain and sometimes snow. Our advice? Dress in layers and check the weather forecast regularly.
4. Wear something green: Did you know blue is the traditional color of St Patrick? But the shamrock and link to Ireland’s green fields have meant today’s festival is all about the wearing of the green. You’ll find shamrock buttonholes for sale in the days up to St Patrick’s Day but many people simply choose to wear a green item of clothing, a hat or scarf on the day. You also can’t go wrong with a classic Aran jumper, or check out amazing Irish Sustainable Designer, Aoife McNamara!
5. Have fun! Last but by no means least, enjoy yourself! St Patrick’s Day is a wonderful day in Ireland. No matter where you find yourself, soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the street theatre, live music and good food that should be easy to find.

Restaurants for St Patrick’s Day

Although Ireland is a very eclectic country when it comes to dining options, on St Patrick’s Day it’s nice to go back to basics and enjoy some good quality traditional Irish food. We have an inspiring article on some of the best food’s in Ireland! We’ve also chosen some of the best dining experiences in Dublin to enjoy a St Patrick’s Day meal:

The Hairy Lemon: The Hairy Lemon is a much-loved pub that is famous for serving some of the best Dublin coddle in the city. What better way to warm up on a cold St Patrick’s Day than with a bowl of this bacon and sausage stew.

Hawksmoor Dublin: A renowned steakhouse offering top-quality, locally sourced beef in a warm, elegant setting.

Pichet : A contemporary French-Irish bistro serving refined yet comforting dishes with a focus on seasonal ingredients.

Chapter One: A Michelin-starred gem celebrating Irish cuisine with innovative tasting menus and impeccable service.

Etto :  A small, award-winning spot known for its simple yet expertly crafted plates and excellent wine selection.

Hawksmoor Restaurant, Dublin

St Patrick’s Day Recipes to try at home

Bring the taste of Ireland home by trying some easy traditional Irish foods with ingredients that shouldn’t be too hard to find:

Irish Soda bread: Quick and easy with no messing around with yeast, this traditional Irish bread by Donal Skehan will have your home smelling delicious in no time. We recommend serving while still warm with butter or adding cream cheese and smoked salmon when it has cooled for a delicious treat.

Beef and Guinness Casserole: Flavorsome and delicious, this casserole will be a hit whether you’re a fan of Guinness or not. An easy mid-winter dinner, it’s a great option for a crockpot too.

Irish Barmbrack: If you’re looking for a sweet treat, particularly in the fall, this is the recipe for you. Barmbrack is a sweet fruitcake containing lots of dried fruit. Most commonly served around Halloween, it is delicious at any time of the year. Serve in generous slices with butter when it’s fresh. After a day or so, toasting it gently will keep it tasting delicious!