St Patrick's Day

Your Guide to the St Patrick’s Party

On St Patrick’s Day the world turns green in celebration of all things Irish, and we can barely contain ourselves. March 17th is fast approaching, so we’ve put together this guide for you to experience every aspect of the festivities (and to see just how green you can go this year)!

There are plenty of ways to celebrate the big day, whether you’ll be joining us at one of the St Patrick’s festivals in Ireland or throwing your own St Patrick’s Day party with our special green recipes. We’ve even got parade footage from years gone by, live trad music sessions and some background on the big man himself, St Patrick to add to the build-up for the big green day.

Catch up with us on Facebook or Twitter leading up to the big day, too…you know we’re always up for a natter, and no more so than right now!

Your St Patrick’s Party

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Ireland this year, our blog has the recipe for a St Patrick’s Day party in your own home. Boost the buzz of St Patrick with these party food recipes, special green milkshakes and cocktails and even a lovely guide on how to make the perfect Irish coffee!

The Parade Marches On

Nothing will rekindle your passion for all things Ireland than to see how we celebrate things at home. Compare our video of last year’s massive Dublin parade with old newsreel footage from St Patrick’s Day celebrations 60 years before. Maybe you’ll even spot some distant relatives in the pictures!

St Patrick’s Festivals

Entire week-long festivals erupt for St Patrick’s Day in Ireland – so we’ve put together this guide for navigating each city’s celebrations. There’s also an official St Patrick’s Festival App with the 2012 festival event details, interactive map and twitter feed. Don’t forget our listings page has every parade, party, concert and event that’s on around the big day. Can’t say we’re not organised!

Beyond the parade…

Of course we promise parades, parties and a St Patrick’s Day to remember, but we’ve even more to float your…well…float with St Patrick’s quirky sideline attractions. Fancy a Leprechaun Hunt? We do, too. Fancy joining in a giant outdoor Céilí on Dublin’s Stephen’s Green? No problem. In the market for a giggle? Swing by Murphy’s Laughter Lounge for a hoot as the Father Ted Weekend gets going or awaken the child inside at the Dublin City funfair, with rollercoasters and an awesome ferris wheel. St Patrick’s day goes with music like Guinness with oysters so we have the perfect excuse for Limerick’s International Band Competition. And speaking of food, Cork will be flaunting its culinary prowess like a proud peacock with an artisan food market. Yummy.

St Patrick’s Legacy

Interested to know who St Patrick actually was? We’ve recreated the St Patrick story, Hollywood style. From banishing snakes to his use of a shamrock, St Patrick’s myths and legends are entwined in his legacy, too.

Listen with Live Trad

A party like St Patrick’s Day doesn’t pass without a good music session, and we’re happy to let you listen in. LiveTrad streams traditional music gigs and past sessions for the perfect soundtrack to your party. There’s a funky live comment stream, too, so you can chat and share the craic with people from Ireland and all over the world. If you’re anything like us, you’ll be doing your best Riverdance impressions in your own sitting room.

The Worldwide Party

The celebrations aren’t confined to our island’s lovely shores, as the whole world joins the St Patrick’s Day party. North America’s huge parades are no surprise when you consider it was there that the first St Patrick’s Parade actually took place.