St Patrick’s Day Festival

Where else but Dublin would the St Patrick’s Day celebrations go on for days?

The St Patrick’s Festival in the capital city is on from 12 – 17 March this year. Anticipation for the big day has been growing since the weekend – with events for family, comedy, music, and even film. All the festivities will commence on Wednesday as the parade winds its way through the city center. And the weathermen are even forecasting sunshine.

Dubliners take their costumes seriously, and shamrocks will be worn head to toe on Wednesday. As the first bank holiday (aka day off work) of the year – from the 5 o’clock whistle on Tuesday afternoon – the celebrations will really begin. A contest for the best costume seems to take place in every pub from green wigs to funny hats and face paint – there’s no limit on the displays of Irish pride.

The St Patrick’s Day Festival has made the drinking holiday a family occasion as well. A treasure hunt and fun fair are set up for kids, and walking by Merrion Square today I saw a large Ferris Wheel outside of the National Gallery. Culture is also being celebrated, with organized walking architecture tours and music performances.

If you’re interested in listening to the live coverage of the parade on Wednesday, go to the website of the national radio, RTE. Just hearing the accents, music, and descriptions of the day’s festivities are sure to transport you across the pond to the land of St Patrick.

Photo Credit: Jessica Colley