You’re right…
Dublin definitely hits the mark when it comes to St Patrick’s Day “craic” (fun) and the vibe in the city is rightly legendary. It’s THE biggest party on the island, with a big-time festival spirit that buzzes over five days from 14 to 18 March. City landmarks go green; storytelling, dance and music events add a dose of culture; and a massive parade snakes through the streets.
The good news is that because the St Patrick’s Festival runs over five days, you can always take in the Dublin scene before changing it up a bit with a trip outside the city.
So where to go? Well, you could head west for starters to the vibrant, friendly town of
Sligo on the Wild Atlantic Way. Famed for its literary heritage, gorgeous coastal scenery and great little gastro pubs, Sligo hosts a jam-packed
St Patrick’s Day with an authentic and family-friendly atmosphere. For nearly 50 years, locals have been crafting their own floats and taking to the historic streets for a parade that gets bigger year after year. And the good news is that once the parade is done, you’re in the perfect place to explore a landscape that inspired one of Ireland’s most famous poets,
WB Yeats.
The bohemian city of
Galway definitely knows how to throw a good party, and the
parade in this gorgeous seaside gem dates back over 100 years. You’ll find an enjoyably off-beat line up to the parade here, with everything from brass bands to the World’s Strongest Man, but best of all are the eye-popping creations from pioneering spectacle-theatre company Macnas. Don’t miss it!
Finally, if you fancy mixing fascinating history with a brilliant dose of craic head to
The Walled City of Derry, which celebrates both
St Patrick’s Day and the return of spring. Expect a blaze of colour and sound with comedy, dance, theatre and food demonstrations in a city that boasts incredible city walls that date to the 17th century.
Can our Community members recommend any other locations to celebrate St Patrick’s Day?