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St. Patrick's Day trip itinerary?

Posted by (DC) on

Looking for some tips or advice for an upcoming 8 day trip with my husband in March. Will be landing on Saturday morning in Dublin, attending a concert there that evening, then hope to venture out the next morning for the next 3 nights. The plan would then be to return to Dublin on Wednesday evening to spend the next 3 days/4 nights in Dublin for St Paddy's day festivities. (I think that sounds exciting, anyone with feedback on the festival?) We are early 30s, interested in good music, food, scenery, and culture. A distillery tour would also be of interest! We like to stay away from things "touristy" and try to experience life as a local as much as possible.

I will add that I currently have 3 places I am considering for our Sunday-Wednesday excursions (perhaps longer if highly recommended).
A) Train to Northern Ireland
B) Dingle (would this be worth it in March? Obviously would be better in summer)
C) Galway

Thoughts? Recommendations for somewhere else?

Posted by
191 posts

If you are looking for a true Irish experience, I would avoid Dublin on Saint Patrick's Day and head to Dingle. My first year in Ireland, I spent it in Dublin since I lived there-the parade is huge but super crowded as are the pubs. At the parade, it is hard to see (seriously, people bring ladders to stand on). The evening gets rowdy and I didn't find it very fun.

The next year I went with a friend to Dingle for Saint Patrick's Day and had so much fun. Early in the morning, there is a procession to the church. The town parade was so cool: the announcer spoke a lot of Irish and they had live music while we waited for the parade (it is a little town parade and so memorable as a slice of life). After the parade, everyone headed to the pubs for lunch, drinks and music for the rest of the day.

Posted by
4 posts

Very valuable feedback, thank you! Will definitely look into St Paddy's in Dingle. I assumed Dublin would be crowded, but if unpleasantly packed, a lower key local celebration sounds much more up our alley!

Posted by
9371 posts

Don't get taken in by the Jameson Distillery tour or the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin if you want to stay away from touristy things. The Jameson tour is not a working distillery anymore (the one at Midleton is), and you don't see anything of the brewing process on the Guinness tour. It's basically one long commercial, and lots of buying opportunities for the same souvenirs you can find all over Ireland.

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