What’s Happening This St. Patrick’s Day?
Posted by Sinead Belton | 16th Mar 2023
As we begin the celebrations ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, with so many events on it can be hard to keep track of what's happening and where! So here's a quick guide to some of the main events happening in Dublin and across the Emerald Isle this weekend!
Dublin
The St. Patrick’s Day festivities span over a 5 day period in the capital with a huge parade along O’Connell Street and the city centre on Friday March 17th.
Me Auld Flower Festival - a new Irish food & drink festival taking place from Thursday to Sunday, March 16th-19th in the historic fruit & veg market building in the heart of Dublin 7. As we are all big foodies here at GourmetFuel we definitely recommended heading down to enjoy and celebrate the vibrant food culture that Ireland has to offer!
Abair - ABAIR is an annual oral traditions programme which explores some of the many Irish traditions of storytelling, song, and oral history and traces their links around the world. This programme is running from March 16-18th in Collins Baracks.
St. Patrick’s Festival Quarter - Returning to the National Museum of Ireland after a successful debut in 2022 it will be the home of a fantastic day-to-night festival from March 16-18th. Suitable for all, so why not head over to Collins Baracks and check it out!
Cork & Kerry
Cork City comes to life for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. If you're around Cork this weekend, head over to Cork City as this one is not to be missed! Marching bands, music, dancers and street theatre performers - Cork City has it all.
Foodies will be spoilt for choice with the Barry's Tea Market and Mahon Point Farmers Market on Emmet Place, where local food producers bring the freshest and tastiest delicacies into the heart of the city. We definitely recommended checking this one out!
If you’re based in The Kingdom or live nearby, Killarney hosts one of Ireland's most colourful St Patrick's Day Parades. Festivities combine traditional Irish music and dance in a fabulous emerald green event.
Midlands & East Coast
There are a whole range of events happening across the midlands and along the east coast this weekend.
Just outside Dublin in Bray, Co. Wicklow you'll find a St. Patrick's Day carnival along with a parade! Packed full of fun activities as well as live music and the Bird’s Euroshow Funfair. Expected to be bigger than ever this festival runs from March 16th-20th, giving you plenty of time to head down and celebrate it's culture and heritage.
If you're near Tullamore, the parade will start at 11:30am on March 17th with lots of fun for all the family. This years theme is “Tidy Towns - Our Community Effort. Is Féidir Linn Le Chéile”. If you're a dog lover this one's for you, as there will be a special prize for the Best Dressed Dog.
It is a special St. Patrick's Day for Longford this year as a small group of dedicated local residents in Ballinamuck have decided to host the north Longford village's first ever St Patrick's Day parade, so head on over if you're close by and show your support.
Northern Ireland
Downpatrick, the town where St Patrick built his first church and where Ireland's patron saint is buried, hosts its annual St Patrick's Day festival. Festivities include live entertainment and music along with events for the whole family to enjoy.
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day and experience Irish culture in the heart of Belfast this weekend with the parade taking place through the city centre with live music and a concert in Custom House Square.
St George's Market - Enjoy live traditional music from members of Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ). If you love traditional Irish music and dance, then we recommend heading over to St. George's Market from 12-1:30pm on Friday March 17th - This event is free so it's worth while paying a visit!
Enjoy Yourself!
As always, here at GourmetFuel we are all about balance. Take some time to enjoy the celebrations this weekend and don’t feel guilty if you let your healthy eating or new healthy routine slide. We all need balance in our lives and it is important to enjoy these moments and celebrate with friends and family. So have some fun this weekend and start again on Monday!
Happy St. Patricks Day and enjoy the celebrations!
The GourmetFuel Team :)