Looking for fun things to do in Ireland’s capital on the biggest day of the year? Here are the 10 best events on St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin this year.
It’s almost that time of year again when the whole of Ireland heads out to celebrate their patron saint. St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, especially, is one of the liveliest occasions of the year.
The annual holiday is celebrated on the 17th of March, but festivities run throughout the whole week, and you can bet there will be plenty to do all across the country. But is there anywhere better to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than in Ireland’s capital city, Dublin?
More than 500,000 people are expected to head to the city for this year’s St Patrick’s festival, so if you’re planning on heading to Ireland’s capital this year, then here are the 10 best St. Patrick’s Day events happening in Dublin.
10. Brewers Banquet at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery
St. Patrick’s Festival and the Guinness Open Gate Brewery are joining forces to create a three-night festival celebrating great food and craft beer. The menu, from head chef Sean Hunter, will feature the very best of Irish produce, which can be paired with Guinness Open Gate brew.
Date: Sunday 15th – Tuesday 17th March, 7pm
Address: 53 James’s Street St James’s Gate, Dublin 8, Ireland
Price: €59.50
Event link: HERE
9. ABAIR: Treasures Lost & Stolen with Thomas McCarthy & Liz Weir
Traveller-singer Thomas McCarthy and storyteller Liz Weir will be taking visitors on a journey through songs and stories on the theme of ‘treasures lost and stolen’. Abair, taken from the Irish word meaning both ‘to say’ and ‘to sing’, will be offering a four-day program of intimate, unplugged performances highlighting Irish singing and storytelling traditions.
Date: Friday 13th March at 6pm
Address: Christchurch Pl, Wood Quay, Dublin 8
Price: From €12
Event link: HERE
8. Colm Mac Con Iomaire with full band & guests Contempo Quartet
This event is perfect for music fans as Colm Mac Con Iomaire will be performing with his full band and guests the RTE Contempo Quartet for a night of fantastic music.
Date: Monday 16th March at 7pm
Address: 58-59 Thomas St, The Liberties, Dublin 8
Price: From €28
Event link: HERE
7. Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Spoken Word Poetry Trail
The UNESCO poetry trail guided by John Cummins will take visitors through the city on a trail of poetry readings from contemporary poets and spoken-word artists: Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi, Sasha Terfous, The Poet Geoff, Roxanna Nic Liam, John Cummins, and Nicole Eve Rourke.
Date: Saturday 14th March at 1pm
Address: UCD Newman House, 86 Newman House, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 CC99
Price: Free but ticketed
Event link: HERE
6. Festival Village, Merrion Square
Merrion Square is set to be transformed into a bustling Festival Village, with four days of fantastic events, performances and delicious food. The perfect place to go if you’re in the city with young children as the square will be hosting Céilí Mór, circus and science shows, children’s readings, live music, games, street theatre, food stalls and much more.
Date: Saturday 14th –Tuesday 17th March, 12pm
Address: Merrion Square, Dublin
Price: Free
Event link: HERE
5. In The Footsteps of St. Patrick with Pat Liddy
Renowned Dublin historian Pat Liddy will be leading tours focused on Ireland’s patron saint and the man the whole weekend is about, St Patrick.
Date: Friday 13th-Tuesday 17th March, 10:30am and 2:15pm
Location: St Andrew Street, Dublin
Price: €15-€17
Event link: HERE
4. Lavender Walk: Tour of Historic Gay Dublin
The Lavender Walk takes visitors on a tour of historic LGBT Dublin. The educational tour is hosted by well-known civil rights activist and historian, Tonie Walsh, as he takes you through the LGBT history of the city from St. Patrick’s proposition by a band of randy sailors in the 5th-century to decriminalization of male homosexuality, the advent of marriage equality and adoption of trans rights in the 20th century.
Date: Saturday 14th March-Monday 16th March, 1pm
Location: Tour begins at Trinity College Dublin Front Square, College Green, Dublin 2
Price: From €10
Event link: HERE
3. City at Play Funfair
It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin without a funfair, would it? For four days, Custom House Quay will come alive with waltzers, bumper cars and carousels, so expect to be thrilled at the City at Play Funfair.
Date: Saturday 14th –Tuesday 17th March at 11am
Location: Custom House Quay Dublin
Price: Free Entry
Event link: HERE
2. Annie Mac, Kojaque, Soulé, Denise Chaila & Guests
Dundrum-born DJ and broadcaster Annie Mac has become internationally renowned, but she will be returning to Dublin this St. Patrick’s weekend to perform at the iconic Guinness Storehouse. She will also be accompanied by local artists including Kojaque, Soulé and Denise Chaila.
Date: Saturday 14th March, 8pm
Address: Guinness Storehouse, The Liberties, Dublin 8
Price: €30
Event link: HERE
1. St. Patrick’s Festival Parade & Grandstands
The National St. Patrick’s Festival Parade is the main event this St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, welcoming over half a million revellers from all over the world to the streets of Dublin to take part in the festivities. It’s the perfect way to get into the spirit of the holidays, especially if you’ve got kids!
Date: Tuesday 17th March, 12pm
Location: Various locations
Price: Parade is free for all to attend; €70 for the Grandstand seats
Event link: HERE
