Dublin is the destination to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the history and heart of Ireland, starting with the party atmosphere, all of the events, the food, and ending with the parade.
The pubs in Dublin are the best spots to soak up the festive vibes, listen to some music, and enjoy a pint of Guinness, but there is so much more to St. Patrick’s Day in the city. The history, culture, and people are as big a reason to visit as the celebrations.
There’s always a lot to see and do in the city around the holiday, and I have a number of favourites that you need to consider when you’re planning your visit. Read on for my recommendations or watch my Dublin travel video on YouTube.
Pubs, live music, and Irish dancers
St. Patrick’s Festival runs March 14 to 17, and it’s a huge celebration of Irish culture in Dublin, whether you’re Irish, or just want to celebrate like you are.
The festival hosts concerts and events across the city, ending with the huge St. Patrick’s Day parade through Dublin on March 17. There are dozens of events, and beyond the parade you can hear amazing music, or catch Irish dancers at events like Céilí Mór, where travellers and locals alike come to enjoy the celebrations.
Many of the events at the festival are free, and it’s one of the best ways you can immerse yourself in a taste of Irish culture.
Of course the pubs are another fun excuse to enjoy a pint or two of Guinness while you’re in Dublin. There are hundreds of pubs in the city, and there are famous spots, like The Temple Bar Pub, but there are lots of pubs to choose from.
St. Patrick’s day in Dublin can be quite busy, but it’s worth looking for a good spot, trying a pint of Irish ale, and catching some trad music, or traditional Irish music. Many of the best pubs in Dublin have musicians in the evenings, and some even have Irish dancers, so plan to visit for an unforgettable night.
For a great performance without the bustling pub experience, the Irish House Party is a treat in Dublin. Part dinner and part theatre, the Lansdowne Hotel hosts an evening of music and dancing, starting with a an Irish meal in their dining room, and then you’ll move to the theatre for the music. Tickets are €64.50 for both, or you can enjoy the show only for €30.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17 means it’s time for the big show: the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Dublin draw to a close with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade running through the heart of the city.
The parade has been a big attraction in Dublin since it started in 1931, and today you can see marching bands, lots of floats, street performers, the Grand Marshal, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin riding in the Lord Mayor’s Coach, dating back to 1791.
The streets are packed, everyone is dressed in green and shamrocks, and it’s a lot of fun. Just plan to arrive early to get a decent view. The parade starts at 12:00 PM from Parnell Square, and then down O’Connell Street and through the city, so arriving around 10:00 AM is a good idea, or earlier if you want the best spot. Or, if you want a unique view of the parade, you can purchase premium grandstand seats along the route.
I had the best time riding on a parade bus this year for the big celebrations. It’s still one of my favourite parts of the day, signing Irish songs, dancing around on top of the bus, and hearing the crowds cheer on all the floats and bands.
For families with neurodivergent individuals, it’s also good to know that there is a Relaxed Parade Space with a large shared sensory area and private sensory break areas, so everyone can enjoy the big event.
Much more to see and do in Dublin
A few days in Dublin won’t be enough to see everything, but you can get an excellent taste of the history and the stories in the city with walking tours, the Book of Kells Experience, visiting an art gallery, trying a few amazing restaurants, and maybe shopping for something special to take home.
If you want to really learn about Dublin, walking tours are a great first introduction to the city. You can get a sense for the city and the streets, and learn about the history, and Dublin has a lot of interesting stories.
I went on both a tour with Pat Liddy’s Walking Tours, and a walk through Trinity College Dublin, where a student will take you around the campus. The tour company has a number of walking tour options, and in the spirit of the holiday I went on one dedicated to St. Patrick. My guide took us to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a walk through some of the city streets with stories about the Guinness family, a stop at Dublin Castle, Dubh Linn Garden, and he shared a lot of things you might never heard about the city.
The Trinity campus tour is focused on the historic architecture, some amazing stories about the college’s past (including ghost stories about the Rubrics), and a peek inside the absolutely beautiful Museum Building that has the most intricate art and designs, inside and out.
On campus you can also book a ticket to see the famed Old Library and the Book of Kells, and then step inside the immersive Book of Kells Experience. If you want to visit the library, see the real book, and step into the experience, along with the student tour of the campus, you can book everything from the Experience website for €33.50.
Dublin also has two important and incredible galleries: the National Gallery of Ireland and Hugh Lane Gallery. Both are wonderful and they have an amazing array of works by great Irish artists, and artists from around the world. However I especially recommend Hugh Lane Gallery for the chance to see Francis Bacon’s studio, their collection of impressionist art, and their special exhibitions in one of the most beautiful gallery spaces. The Fáilte Le Grá Café is also well worth a stop for a scone and some tea or coffee, before or after your visit.
Among many wonderful restaurants in Dublin, I have to mention two in particular when you’re looking for a special meal. Alt Bar at the Wren Urban Nest and The Church Restaurant were two of my favourite spots, with excellent service, and fantastic menus.
Alt Bar has fantastic food, in a modern space, with a focus on sustainable, creative dishes, and a zero waste kitchen. Their cocktail menu and the whole vibe of the space are excellent.
And speaking of vibes, The Church Restaurant is grandiose and a lot of fun. A former church in the middle of the city, you can dine looking out over the pipe organ and the stunning bar below. The menu is hearty and filled with Irish specialties, and you definitely should consider trying the oysters, Irish stew, fish and chips, or aged Irish steaks. They have lots of Irish beer on tap, and live music and dancing every night starting at 6:30 PM.
Finally, for shopping, you should stroll down Grafton Street, take a look at Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, or George’s Street Arcade, and one of my favourite spots, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. The bright space has a big central restaurant, and I picked up an Irish hat and looked at some wonderful leather gloves from George Horn at Kennedy & McSharry.
There are lots of places with Irish hats and sweaters in Dublin, and it’s worth shopping around, but I also have to say that I was impressed by the prices and options at Aran Sweater Market on Grafton Street.
Guinness Storehouse tour & dining
The Guinness Storehouse is an institution in Dublin, and it’s a must visit experience if you’re a beer lover. The historic St. James’s Gate Brewery dates back to 1759, and for over 260 years Guinness has grown to become one of the most recognizable in the world.
Stepping inside the Storehouse is frankly astonishing. The building is huge, and it’s filled with multiple bars and restaurants, a coffee shop, store, and the chance to take a tour to see how Guinness has been making beer for decades.
When you’re ready to have a pint or a bite to eat, sit down at 1837 Bar & Brasserie for a meal, or head to Gravity Bar for epic views of the city. For something extra special though, book the Guinness Academy to pour your own pint, a cocktail session, whisky tasting, or one of the other extra special experiences.
I loved every minute at the Guinness Storehouse, from the peek behind the scenes, to story of Guinness itself and family behind it. Sláinte! (Or, Cheers! in Irish)
More resources to plan your visit to Dublin
For more ideas on what to see and do in Dublin, explore Tourism Ireland.
Find out about more events and activities in Dublin through Visit Dublin.
And use the map below to find accommodations in Dublin:
Photos: W. Andrew Powell/The GATE.
