It’s a national holiday that’s celebrated in more countries than any other. It’s the day that gets the whole world to think green and go green. But if you really want to get a piece of the party, you’ve got to come to Ireland on the 17th of March. Ireland on St Patrick’s Day is unlike anywhere else in the world!
Ireland celebrates its patron saint St. Patrick on the 17th of March each year. Dublin stages the biggest and most extravagant St. Patrick's Day Parade outside New York. Literally half of Dublin's one million population plus more than a hundred thousand visitors from all over Ireland and from abroad line the parade and turn it into Ireland's largest street carnival. Traditionally, on St. Patrick's Day Dubliners wear something green, a t-shirt, sweatshirt or even an odd scarf will do, and watch the parade before drowning the shamrock, that is having a pint or two in one of the many pubs lining the route of the parade. More than 675,000 revellers watched the 2009 parade through Dublin's streets. Marching bands from Ireland, Europe and the USA partake in the parade. The music played at the parade ranges from Irish pipe and drum marches to current chart hits and bands compete with each other in costumes and dance routines. The award for Best Marching Band in 2009 went to a German carnival band from the Black Forest. A typical Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade also features a dozen or more floats and pageants, all extravagantly decorated. Every year, the Dublin parade is traditionally closed by the roar of engines of the city's motor bikers on their Harley Davidsons and Honda Gold Wings.
Over the years, an ever increasing number of events have been launched to warm up Dubliners and tourists alike for the parade day. Comedy, theatre, music, arts and sports events now form part of the official St. Patrick's Day Festival which lasts for up to a week before the parade takes place on the 17th of March.
While 5.5 million pints of Guinness are consumed daily around the world, on St Patrick's Day that number rises to 13 million. This celebratory day actually evolved into a national holiday by chance. It was originally just like any other religious feast day, but it just happened to fall during Lent. Lent meant abstaining from many personal indulgences, and St Patrick’s Day in between gave everyone a little break. U2 front-man Bono explained it all during a televised St Patrick’s Day Special on Channel 4 a few years ago: “The whole thing about Lent – as any Irishman will tell you – is that it stops on St Patrick’s Day.”
St. Patrick's Day 2014 will again bring visitors from all over the globe to Ireland's shores. While there will be big events in all the major cities and town's, many will be drawn to Dublin for the 3 days festival, running from 14th to 17th, with the 17th being the official bank holiday in Ireland.
There are a glorious array of events this year. The suite of entertainment are based around the history of St. Patrick himself, live music and street entertainment, greening the city, beer festivals and of course the parades that are hosted all over Ireland on 17th of March. You can read in detail about all these events on the official St. Patricks Day festival website. There will be funfairs at 3 locations across Dublin - Merrion Square, Wolfe Tone Park and Custom House Quay.
The George Frederic Handel Hotel is an excellent place to base yourself for the St. Patrick's Day festivities in Dublin. Located in the heart of
Temple Bar, you will be right in the middle of all the action!
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit!!!
