St. Patrick's Day Tours & Trips
Do you love to dance and sing, the colour green and the occasional pint of Guinness? Then a trip to Ireland to experience St. Patrick's Day sounds exactly like the thing for you! Discover Dublin with friends and experience the biggest festival Ireland has to offer. Take a break from the festivities and enjoy one of many cultural and artistic activitis the country has to offer.
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Popular St. Patricks Day Trips
St Patricks Day: Everything You Need to Know
- Patrick was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary
- History tells us that Patrick converted thousands of Northern Irish from paganism to Christianity
- It’s customary to wear shamrocks and green clothing because it’s believed that Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to his disciples
- St. Patrick’s Day is also celebrated in certain regions of Japan and Korea!
- March 17th is actually the date that Saint Patrick died
- Around 1 million travelers a year visit Dublin to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, which begins on March 17th and ends on March 20th
- The most prominent Dublin event is the St. Patrick’s Day Festival Parade which begins at noon on the 17th March.
Essentials
- Book travel arrangements and accommodations early!
- Withdraw cash in advance of March 17th to avoid lines at ATMs.
- Bring your green clothes and accessories with you to save yourself time and money.
- Plan to spend at least five days in Dublin to ensure you can experience the Festival without having to rush.
- Wear closed-toe shoes during the festival as the streets can get messy by nightfall with beer bottles and broken glass.
What Not to Miss During St. Patricks Day
St. Patricks Day Facts
When is St Patrick's Day?
March 17th is actually the date that Saint Patrick died and it's the day of international celebration. However, if you head to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day, the Festival begins on March 17th and last three full days filled with parties and celebrations.
How did St. Patrick’s Day start?
St. Patrick was an enslaved Irish man who escaped to a monastery in present-day France, and who would eventually return to Ireland in the year 432 as a missionary. St. Patrick’s role in spreading Christianity in Ireland caused him to be named the country’s patron saint. During the Revolutionary War, Irish soldiers held the first St. Patrick’s Day parade, as a way to remember and connect with their roots even as they settled in America.
How is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated?
Initially, St. Patrick’s Day was mostly celebrated outside of Ireland, as a way for Irish immigrants to celebrate their heritage. Now, though, the celebration has become Dublin’s largest festival! Locals tend to have the day off work, which means the streets will be packed full of locals and visitors alike. The best way to get in the spirit of things is to spend time with friends (new and old!) in one of Dublin’s popular pubs.
Why do we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?
Generally, there are two main reasons people wear green on St. Patty’s Day. Green was the color of the revolutions that took place in Ireland in the 1600s, relating it permanently to the Irish national identity. However, there’s also a legend that states wearing green makes the wearer invisible to fairies and leprechauns. As the legend goes, if you weren’t wearing green, the creatures would be able to see you, and even pinch you which is why in the United States people pinch those not wearing green!
What to pack for St. Patrick’s Day?
First and foremost, bring your green! Green shirts, green hats, green socks, and anything else you can find will help you blend right in and get you in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Because the weather during March in Dublin can be temperamental, make sure to pack extra layers. A rain jacket wouldn’t hurt either!
What’s the weather like on St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day takes place in mid-March, and the weather in Dublin at that time can vary greatly day-to-day. In general, however, expect high temperatures of about 10 °C, and lows of around 3 °C.
Transportation & Accommodation
From the airport
Taking a bus from the airport to the city center costs approximately €3.05. Note that you may be refused entry if you have too many bags as the cheaper buses are intended for local travellers. You can choose to take an express bus for €6 which takes approximately 30 minutes. Fun fact: Dublin’s entire fleet of buses is equipped with free Wi-Fi. A taxi ride to the city center can cost upwards of €30, depending on traffic.
By car
It’s not recommended to rent a car during your stay as the traffic gridlock and parking rates in Dublin can be rage-inducing. Luckily everything you need to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like a true Irishman (or woman) is within walking distance of the city center.
By a hop-on hop-off bus
You can take advantage of the standard “Hop On, Hop Off” tour buses which link you to nearly all the main sights and attractions.
By bike
If you’re looking to work off all the Guinness you’ve consumed, you can rent a bike at one of the many bike share terminals across the city. The bikes are available for rent 24/7, 365 days a year.
By train
If you’re planning on travelling outside of Dublin at any point, save yourself precious vacation minutes by taking a train to the outskirts and then renting your car outside of the city. The DART train system provides cheap and rapid transport from the city center to the outskirts of Dublin. Taking the train provides a great opportunity to check out a whole other slew of great waterfront restaurants, views, and landscapes.
Accomodation
Driving isn’t the best way to get around Dublin, so it’s critical to ensure your accommodations are located in the city center. When booking a hotel make sure the address includes “Dublin 2” or “Dublin 1” — a key indicator that you’re in the right area! The streets will be loud and if you’re worried about getting your beauty sleep, you should try requesting a room that does not face the street.
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