Surprise! St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin Is Not About the Drinking — Really
Where’s the beer? St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin is as much about the culture as the cocktails. (Photo: Cailin O’Neil/Travel Yourself)
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin is right up there at the top of many peoples’ travel bucket lists, next to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Carnival in Brazil. I’d always wanted to spend St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, and last year, I finally got to check it off my list.
But guess what I learned? St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland is hardly a drinking holiday like it is in other places. Typically, when I’ve celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at home in Canada, there are long lines outside the Irish pubs around the city starting as early as 7 a.m. People go craaazy for the holiday, drinking too early and too much. I cannot repeat it enough: THIS IS NOT THE CASE IN DUBLIN. Or from at least what I saw. Not only is every pub in Dublin an Irish Pub —meaning there are many more options of places to go — but it’s also just way more about the culture than the booze.
Another big lesson: The St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Dublin last longer than just one day — so be sure to stay at least five days as there are so many more things to see and do in the city aside from just drinking. Here is my guide for what to do in Dublin on and around the big day.
Related: The Best St. Patrick’s Day Parade You’ve Never Heard Of
On the 17th
1. Hit the parade early. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin starts at 10 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day. My suggestion: Wake up early and hit the streets by 9 a.m. at the latest to get a good spot to watch the parade. In 2014, there were easily over 500,000 people out there; the streets were literally packed with people. This year will probably be similar.
The beginning of the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day parade on O’Connell Street. (Photo: Cailin O’Neil/Travel Yourself)
2. Dress in comfy clothes. On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s best to explore the city by foot as it will be hard to get taxis, and there will be tons of roads blocked off due to the hordes of people. As such, be sure to wear comfy clothes and closed-toe shoes, which will prevent injuries from trash and empty bottles.
3. Get cash the night before. Everyone will be searching for an ATM the day of, so it’s better to be prepared. Plus, it’s faster to pay with cash when there are long lines and things are busy.
On the other days
4. Hit the Guinness Storehouse before or after the 17th. St. Patrick’s Day is quite literally their busiest day of the year. Trust me, going on any other day of the year will be a lot less busy — and your experience will be better because of it.
A pint of Guinness tastes good on any day of the year. (Photo: Cailin O’Neil/Travel Yourself)
5. Go for a stroll around the city. Many iconic buildings around the city are dressed up in green lights around the holiday, which is known as “greening the city.” Take a stroll and check it out.
Related: Stunning Scenery from Ireland You Don’t Want to Miss
6. Go to the Irish Beer & Whiskey Fest. Get some tasty bites and delicious local brews. You won’t regret it!
7. Take a walking tour of the city. My favorite was the food walking tour I did with Fab Food Trails.
8. Catch a street performer’s show. They’re great! Walk the streets to find one, or simply find a busker doing something crazy and entertaining.
Related: 4 Reasons to Go Beyond Belfast in Northern Ireland
Want even more info about the holiday? Here’s some interesting history and facts about the day — and the man himself.
A modern-day Saint Patrick with some Irish ladies. (Photo: Cailin O’Neil/Travel Yourself)
History
March 17th was the day that Saint Patrick died, in 461 AD.
St. Patrick’s Day weekend was — and still is — a potato-planting weekend in Ireland.
St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in all of Ireland, as well as in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
St. Patrick was actually born British, surprisingly, and first visited Ireland when he was taken there as a slave by Irish raiders. He eventually escaped, and after returning home he became a priest — and later returned to Ireland to turn the pagan Irish into Christians.
The color of St. Patrick was originally blue but was changed to green in reference to the shamrock he wore. The color also related to Irish nationalism.
St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday, and until the 1970s, bars and pubs in Ireland weren’t even allowed to be open on the sacred day. Rumor has it that Americans are the ones who turned it into a drinking fest as they were the first to celebrate it with a parade.
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City was held in 1762, and the New York parade is now the largest and longest in the world.
Hopefully with all of this info, you will be prepared for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. To find out more things to see and do in Dublin, check out my newest video, “Dublin in a Minute.”
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