Anda
Two years ago, I went on my first trip to Dublin in time for Saint Patrick’s Day. The St. Patrick’s Parade was one of the highlights of my trip (along with a pub tour, of course).
About St. Patrick
Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the 4th century AD, in a Christian family. When he was 16, he was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland. In the six years of being a slave, Patrick’s faith increased. In his autobiography, Patrick mentions he had a vision while sleeping on how to escape slavery. He did that and managed to get back to his family. He studied to become a priest and, some years later, returned to Ireland. Bringing Christianity to Ireland became his life’s mission. That’s the story of Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick.
March 17th is the day Irish people everywhere in the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The festivities include Saint Patrick’s day parade in Dublin and several cities in the United States.
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin
Saint Patrick’s day parade tradition started in the United States, not in Dublin as you might think. Dublin had its first parade in the 1920s, a military one at the time. Since then, things have changed a lot.
Saint Patrick’s Day has become a several days festival in Dublin, throughout the closest weekend to March 17th. This year (2020), the parade and most of the other related events were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. However, on a normal year, St.Patrick’s parade in Dublin attracts more than half a million people.
How to prepare for the parade in Dublin
First of all, gear up. You will need some green accessories to wear at the parade.
Secondly, watch the weather. When I was there, it was freezing cold. Only warm gloves and some Irish coffee got us through it. However, it’s more likely to be rainy or windy in March, so you should dress appropriately. Irish coffee still helps.
Saint Patrick’s Day Traditions
As I said, wearing something green is a must for St. Patrick’s Day. Also, you get extra points for wearing a shamrock. Legend says that St. Patrick used the shamrock plant to explain The Holy Trinity.
Irish families go to church on St. Patrick’s day. After all, it is originally a religious holiday. However, many people also go to the pub religiously for Saint Patrick’s day.
Fun fact: before the 1970s all pubs in Ireland were closed for St. Patrick’s Day.
The traditional dinner for St. Patrick’s day includes an Irish stew or a shepherd’s pie, corned beef, cabbage, roasted potatoes.
There is also the traditional Irish music, but that’s not necessarily a St. Patrick’s day thing. Most pubs have live music days, and they’re quite good.
In the US, there is also the tradition of drinking green beer but I haven’t seen that in Ireland. Beer in Dublin mostly looks like the one below.
That’s about it on Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. There are two things that I’d really like to do next time I travel to Dublin, visit the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery. Check out the Jameson Distillery post on Megbeth Travel Blog.
While in Dublin, take a day trip to Howth, a beautiful fishing village very close to Dublin.
I’ll get back with some more from Ireland soon.
Next year for sure! I’ve been to Dublin a bunch of times. Hard to beat a party there. We are all going to need one when this world gets back to normal! Cheers!
We definitely will and Dublin would be a good place for it! Thanks for reading, Mark.
The history to St. Patricks Day is so fascinating. I actually never knew any of that, especially him not being a slave.
Thanks for reading, Jade 😀
Good post! I would love to celebrate St. Patrick’s in Dublin!
Thank you! Yes, it’s a lot of fun!
It’s really interesting to learn more about the history of St. Patricks Day. I love Dublin, I celebrated my 30th birthday there and spent waaay too much time in the pubs and bars – it was very fun though! I even tried Strawberry flavoured Guinness which was actually very nice! Thank you for sharing and bringing back good memories! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
I discovered a Nitro IPA Beer from Guinness but I can’t find it anywhere at home. Didn’t know about the strawberry flavour though🤔
I completely forgot it was St. Patricks day until I read this! I keep meaning to go to Ireland one year to celebrate it but I’m always put off by how busy it’ll be.
It was busy but not disturbing, just a great atmosphere. Well, not this year unfortunately but I heard they are postponing the parade so it will take place later this year.
I visited Dublin and purposely bolted before St. Patrick’s Day. Lots of peple can be overwhelming for me! But I loved seeing it through your eyes. Thank you for sharing!
I’m not crazy about crowds either but the parade was a lot of fun! Great atmosphere in Dublin around St. Patrick’s Day! Thanks for stopping by, Lannie!
I’ll be completely honest I actually had no idea of the history and how it all started, when it came to the parade. Sounds like you had an absolute blast. I must admit although I’m not a beer fan, I do like a Guinness on occasion!
Quinn x
I did, it was so much fun! And I’m also pretty particular about beers, I prefer an IPA but I don’t mind a Guinness either.
So sad to see it cancelled, it sucks how this virus literally will affect anything and everything. It’s destroying our freedom.
It’s up to all of us to see it contained and we have to accept these measures. Of course, my feet are already itching though.
Aww too bad it was cancelled this year. But I’m sure it’s for the best. 🙏🏻
I’m sure it is.
How awesome this would be to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. Fun post!!
Thank you 😀