The ultimate dream for many travellers is to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland! Although the whole world now celebrates this 100% Irish festival, it has to be said that Saint Patrick’s Day is always a little bland far from Ireland’s borders… So why not plan your St. Patrick’s Day trip to Ireland this year? It doesn’t matter whether you’re Irish or not. The Irish enjoy the company of foreigners, and you’re welcome to join in the fun! A festive Saint Patrick’s Day like you’ve never had before… are you tempted? Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland: an experience you’ll never forget! Saint Patrick’s Day: where to celebrate in Ireland? Temple Bar during Saint Patrick’s Day On March 17, the whole of Ireland celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day! The whole country is abuzz with excitement, and if you’re ever in the area, you’ll find it hard to escape! But let’s face it, there’s nothing quite like Ireland’s big cities for spending Paddy’s Day in the best possible conditions. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin: come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland: an exceptional adventure awaits you! Let’s face it: there’s no better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than in Dublin! The Irish capital is the world’s epicenter of celebration! And it’s easy to see why, when you take a look at the city’s annual program! First of all, Dublin is the most legitimate city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! First of all, because it’s the capital of the Irish Republic. So it makes sense that this is where it all happens! But there’s also the parade: its grand parade is unique in the world and attracts thousands of visitors every year! Thousands of intermittent entertainers parade through the streets on gigantic floats in magical colors! Irish history and culture take center stage. The show is simply magical! Pipe bands are also on hand, as are a host of dancers and other performers ready to set the crowd alight! Beyond the Great Dublin Parade, the city is also perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, thanks to its famous Temple Bar district… This legendary part of Dublin is well worth a visit for the party! The atmosphere is supercharged, the pints of Irish beer are emptied to the rhythm of jigs of traditional Irish music, and the Irish compete inventiveness to celebrate the event! (Agoraphobes beware: the area is usually crowded right down to the streets, and can be difficult to get around on foot! Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Cork Cork – © Cristi Dublin is undoubtedly the place to be during St. Patrick’s Day. But it’s not the only city in Ireland to get into the swing of things! Cork, the rebel city, is also a great place to party! The city in south-west Ireland also offers an extremely full programme: the streets are decked out in green, the Irish pubs are packed, and the music and beer are going strong! Parades are also organized, although they are less impressive than those in the capital. Last but not least, Cork is perfect for organizing the famous “pub crawls”. It’s a typical tradition to do many Irish pubs in a given time! Perfect for immersing yourself in different atmospheres, while enjoying a taste of the festive Irish atmosphere! Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Galway The Galway St Patrick Festival – Mel Lapiseiro – cc If you’re more into Connemara and smaller towns, then Galway is the place to be to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Ireland! The city is known for its joie de vivre, its outstanding sense of festivity and its many and varied events! The city center is usually ablaze with the festivities of the Irish saint: street concerts, dance performances, traditional parades, street theater… And of course, great moments of communion between the Irish and the foreigners, all united in the streets of Galway with one goal: to celebrate Irish culture until the end of the night in an overexcited and good-natured atmosphere! Don’t miss The Latin quarter, an area of Galway known for its Irish pubs and restaurants. It’s the most festive place in town on March 17! Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Kilkenny Kilkenny – Stefan Jürgensen – cc If you like smaller towns, then Kilkenny may be a good alternative to Cork and Dublin! This medieval town with its colourful streets is the perfect playground for an unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day! The city is also famous for its local Grande Parade, which every year rivals in inventiveness to surprise its spectators even more! Add to this a host of street activities, concerts, impromptu shows… and, of course, packed Irish pubs, with music, singing and a good-natured atmosphere… I swear. You’ll never want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day anywhere else! What can we expect? Discover a sense of celebration “made in Ireland”! Saint Patrick’s DayPicture Seán Curtin Press 22. Beer, music, dancing and Irish folklore of course! St. Patrick’s Day is above all a time for sharing and exchange, when the Irish proclaim loud and clear their pride in being Irish. It’s also a way of remembering how the country became Catholic, thanks to the evangelizing work of St. Patrick in the 5th century. A real tour de force that has earned him national recognition! That’s why March 17 is an opportunity for Ireland to revisit its history, myths, legends and folklore! You’ll come across many Irish people dressed in green, dressed as leprechauns, Vikings, or waving flags… On Saint Patrick’s Day, we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and that’s part of the charm of the party! When it comes to beverages, you can expect an outpouring of Irish beer. It must be said that the Irish have a good descent, and of course, we recommend moderation! How to prepare for Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland? Plan your flight and accommodation as far in advance as possible! St. Patrick’s Day is undoubtedly “THE MOMENT” of the year! And every year, the world experiences a massive exodus to Ireland! So, just like you, thousands of travelers decide to celebrate the event in style on Irish soil. An excellent idea, but one that poses a problem: this record number of visitors generally pushes up prices, both for air tickets and local accommodation. There’s no miracle solution: only anticipation will enable you to book your transport and hotel without breaking the bank. The earlier you book, the cheaper the rates will be. Find a flight Ryanair – Riik@mctr – cc We also recommend that you choose low-cost or national airlines (such as Ryanair or Aer Lingus), to ensure you get competitive prices. You generally need to plan 6 months in advance for it to be worthwhile. We therefore recommend that you take an interest in organizing your trip around October for March. It’s at this time of year that the companies unveil their fares, and it’s first come, first served! Finding a place to sleep A bed and breakfast in Ireland – © Brian Morrison – Tourism Ireland When it comes to accommodation, you’ll also need to plan 6 months in advance. Ideally, you’ll find accommodation in the city center, requiring only a short walk. This will enable you to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without having to take a car, which could prove dangerous if abused during your evening. You can choose between classic (but often expensive) hotels, bed and breakfasts, rental apartments or youth hostels. Each has its own philosophy and different rates. Something to suit every budget! If you’d like to get a better idea, take a look at Booking.com: you just might save a few extra bucks!