Discover the Vibrant parades and Unforgettable Festivities that make St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland Legendary!
Written by Kaelie Piscitello
Many say that Irish people “don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.” However, this is a myth. Ireland considers it a national holiday, and schools and businesses close.
St. Patrick’s started as a religious festival with feasts and religious services. Today, Irish people celebrate it with feasts, parades, and dances known as Ceilidhs.
Americans often eat corned beef and cabbage to celebrate, but Irish people eat other foods. They enjoy beef stews, potato dishes like colcannon, and treats like scones and soda bread.
Seachtain na Gaeilge in the Midlands and East Coast
On the Midlands and East Coast, an Irish language cultural festival called Seachtain na Gaeilge lasts about two weeks, from March 1 to March 17. It allows the younger generations to immerse themselves in their language many people do not speak anymore.
This festival welcomes the entire family! It started in 1902, and hosts live music and street entertainment for everyone to enjoy. The Irish have spread the festival to other parts of the world, so enthusiasts don’t need to visit Ireland to celebrate.
At the festival, visitors can take a history tour, attend a ceilidh, and participate in poetry nights. Anyone can get involved, whether they know Irish or not; and the festival offers everyone the opportunity to learn something new.
Dublin
In Dublin, St. Patrick’s Day happens from March 15 and 17. They have a parade, and half a billion people attend yearly. Marching bands from all over the world come to Dublin to perform, and this year, Dublin will host a special pageant highlighting the culture of Irish Travelers and Roma communities in Ireland.
Dublin’s festival also includes many shows, including a traditional Ceilidh called Ceilidh Mor de le Dearbhla Lennon. This free and bilingual dance celebration offers travelers the chance to learn the Irish step with Dearbhla Lennon, a former River Dancer and one of Ireland’s most celebrated dancers.
Many people will also attend the Footsteps of St. Patrick. This event is a set of specialized tours around his cathedral, where attendees can learn about St. Patrick, his history with Ireland, the Vikings, and his legacy. In the end, you get admission to the Cathedral and can explore.
Cork
Cork also celebrates this festival for three days with a parade and an international film festival. Visitors can watch short films and experience captivating storytelling. The film festival offers free admission, but viewers must order tickets in advance.
Furthermore, the festival features a multitude of live performances, including shows by Paul Dunlea Quintet, The Elephant Man, and Ethan Iverson.
Watch Historical Hysteries for a humorous introduction to the history of Cork and Ireland. During the celebrations, Cork also offers several specialty tours, including one of the Cork City Gaol and University College Cork.
Killarney
Killarney has a huge celebratory parade and festival to mark the start of the tourist season and welcome visitors from around the globe.
Striking floats and marching bands will grace the streets of Killarney. In 2025, the festival champions the theme “Echoes of Killarney Present” to highlight Killarney today in its modern state.
In addition to the parade, attendees can participate in several non-profit sponsored events, such as the Great Duck Dash. During this fundraiser, participants adopt a rubber duck and race it for a prize.
The more ducks one adopts, the more chances one has to win. All proceeds from ducks go towards the Down Syndrome Kerry organization.
The Plunge for Palliative for Kerry Hospice Foundation encourages people to dunk well-known faces from Cork to sit on the dunk tank. Participants can dunk them as many times as they want for 10 Euros/dunk.
Furthermore, the West End School of the Arts offers An Evening of Artistic Performance with West End House to earn funds for their school and showcase the students’ hard work.
Galway
Similar to other Irish cities, Galway has a parade. The town gets “greened”, and iconic spots like Eyre Square and Badoiri Chladaigh receive lights and other colorful decorations. Movie lovers will be happy to know that, like Cork, Galway also celebrates with film screenings all weekend at the Town Hall.
Furthermore, Salthill Amusement Park opens this weekend and has a family fun day with activities such as rowing, glow games, and pickleball. Don’t forget to watch the Tribesmen Head of the River, a rowing event on March 15, where rowing clubs from around the country gather and compete. They row from Lough Corrib to Woodquay and celebrate this fun holiday.
