Are you planning a memorable St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland? Congratulations, you’re one of the lucky few who’ll get to experience the biggest Irish party of the year! On the programme: wild festivities, a big parade, street entertainment, music, dancing and the chance to vibrate to the same tune as the Irish!
But beware: to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in the country where the festival originated, you need to respect a few rules… or risk seeing your experience ruined! Here’s a quick rundown of what not to do at a St. Patrick’s Day party in Ireland.
Saint Patrick’s Day
Picture Seán Curtin Press 22.
In Ireland, it’s customary to wish each other a Happy St Patrick’s Day! That’s the catchphrase, and it’s chanted all over the island on D-Day. It can even be found on the T-shirts, mugs and caps worn by many Irish people on the day.
Note that there’s also a“Happy St Paddy’s Day” variant, which you can use at your leisure.
But beware: you could well be dragged into a public square if you dared to wish the Irish a“Happy St Patty’s Day“. A real horror and an affront to the local population!
Because in Ireland, the diminutive of Patrick is Paddy, not Patty.
If you ever try to say Patty, you could annoy a local Irishman. Worse still, it would demonstrate your ignorance of the subject, and could be seen as disrespectful.
Rest assured, you won’t be burned at the stake, but it’s the kind of blunder you’ll want to avoid if you want to win Irish sympathy. You’ve been warned.
Kiss me I’m irish – © Alla
It’s well known that on Saint Patrick’s Day, the slogan“Kiss me I’m Irish” is everywhere! Among its meanings, it is said to encourage foreigners to kiss the Irish for good luck…
But it’s not an instruction to be taken literally!
Also, avoid kissing Irish people in the street (especially if you don’t know them!). You could be in trouble!
While some may play along, others may well push you away and assert their displeasure… So avoid… unless you’re invited!
The same goes for pinching: a tradition that has fallen into disuse in Ireland used to be to pinch people not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day (hence the term “Pinch me I’m Irish”).
However, this tradition has largely been abandoned by the Irish… and it would be frowned upon for you to indulge in it!
A police vehicle in Ireland – Mic – cc
Just because you’re celebrating abroad doesn’t mean you can do anything. And Ireland regularly pays the price!
As a result of their excesses, there are countless foreign travelers wandering the streets of major cities, totally drunk, shouting and damaging the infrastructure… Worse still, some of these behaviors can even degenerate into fights and require police intervention! Phenomena on the bangs of the party, but they can happen!
Also, it’s important to remember that St. Patrick’s Day isn’t about drinking per se. Above all, it’s a festival dedicated to the celebration of Irish culture, and the joy of being together.
In addition, the Garda (Irish police) keep a watchful eye on all the party hotspots. They don’t hesitate to issue fines for any breach of the law, and to take the most rowdy party-goers away… to the drunk tank!
Finally, remember that in Ireland, the consumption of alcohol in public places is prohibited. Don’t risk it: the fines are pretty steep!
It’s common sense. But let’s face it: it’s extremely bad form to denigrate the culture of the country you’re in! So be respectful, and never make fun of Irish folklore.
St. Patrick’s Day is a vibrant tribute to Ireland’s cultural heritage. It’s about history, the Catholic religion and traditions. Don’t hesitate to take an interest: these subjects are all fascinating and will give you a better understanding of Ireland, with its codes and subjects.
St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin – William Murphy – cc
Whether you’re in Dublin, Galway, Belfast or one of Ireland’s other major cities, expect crowded streets and terrifying traffic.
So if you want to attend the Grand Parade in one of these cities, make sure you get there as far in advance as possible… or risk seeing nothing at all!
Our advice: position yourself as close as possible to one of the gates one or two hours in advance. This guarantees a good vantage point, so you can enjoy the show without being bothered by a head obstructing the view in front of you!
The rift between Ireland and the UK
Last but not least: avoid at all costs any historical or political topics relating to England and Ireland. Although things have calmed down considerably, Irish history has been dramatically marked by British colonialism over the centuries…
Fortunately, the Republic of Ireland is now an independent country, but this is not the case for Northern Ireland, which is still attached to the United Kingdom. A situation that is still the subject of debate on the island, and which is sometimes accepted, sometimes contested…
It all depends on who you’re talking to, and the subject often remains problematic.
That’s why we don’t recommend you broach the subject. Anyway, St. Patrick’s Day is a festive event, so why bother talking politics?
Let’s not forget: Saint Patrick’s Day takes place every March 17… A rather cool period, when the rain can come at any time!
So even if you’ve planned a great costume, don’t forget that it can be chilly in the streets and the weather can change at the snap of a finger!
Make sure you bring warm clothes that go with your costume for the day! A little green make-up on the cheeks, an accessory or two to mark your attachment to Saint Patrick’s Day, and off you go to celebrate! You’ll have more freedom of movement, and be ready for any weather situation!
Also, don’t hesitate to take refuge in an Irish pub in case of rain: for this, prefer the less popular pubs, to make sure you can get in!
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