How We Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day In Ireland

St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th is Ireland’s most significant cultural celebration, a national holiday marked by events, traditions, and nationwide tributes to Ireland’s patron saint.

There’s no simple answer to “Do they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland?”—it all depends on the household.

Some families dive into the celebrations, attending parades and hosting Paddy’s Day parties, while others—myself included—steer clear of the crowds and retreat to the mountains.

What it’s like on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

I have spent the last 35 St. Patrick’s Day’s in Ireland, so the guide below is first-hand knowledge.

Below, you’ll find the different ways that St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland is celebrated and no – people don’t just spend the day in one of the many pubs in Ireland…

1. There are St. Patrick’s Day parades of all shapes and sizes

The sheer volume of parades that take place should answer the question ‘Is St. Patrick’s Day big in Ireland?’

Parades are a key part of the many St. Patrick’s Day traditions and no two parades are the same!

In Limerick, if you stick around until the evening you’ll be treated to a spectacular fire show while over in Sligo their parade has been going for over 50 years and features drums, dinosaurs and much else.

In Dublin, a massive parade takes place during the morning that gets broadcasted on national television.

2. The ‘greening’ of landmarks

The colour green is synonymous with St. Patrick and up and down the country you’ll find some of the most famous landmarks in Ireland lit up in green for a few days around March 17th. 

From the Rock of Cashel in Co. Tipperary to Athenry Castle in Co. Galway, it’s at night when they are at their most vivid, so try and head out when night falls. 

Dublin is, of course, where you find the most concentrated amount of ‘greened’ landmarks. 

Related reads: Check out our Irish slang guide and our Irish jokes guide 

3. The wearing of green

Many places in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day are one big sea of green and you’ll find the likes of Penny’s and other shops selling a mix of green gear in the lead up to the big day.

Whether it’s a bright green top-hat (false orange beard is optional…) or a flamboyant green skirt, pop it on and head off on your merry way.

You’ll find some people wearing very elegant, carefully selected green garments while others (I’ve done this many times in the past…) will chuck on anything green, regardless of how ill fitting it is.

Related reads: Why the original colour associated with St. Patrick was blue, why we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day and why some wear orange

4. Shamrocks on the lapel

OK, so I’ve struggled to find an accurate photo to accompany what is one of the more traditional nods to St. Patricks Day in Ireland.

When I was a kid, I’ll always remember my grandad walking into the house after mass with a bunch of shamrocks pinned to his lapel.

The shamrock is one of the iconic symbols of Ireland and you’ll see it quite frequently around St. Patrick’s Day (and during the rest of the year if you walk into any tourist souvenir shop). 

5. Drinking

So, although many people won’t have a drink in Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, many will.

Personally, I’d only drink on Paddy’s Day if it was a Friday or Saturday and there was something on.

However, many people head into Ireland’s towns, villages and cities as they know they’ll find the pubs buzzing away.

Here are some St. Patrick’s Day drink guides to tip into:

• 17 Irish drinks to try this Paddy’s Day
• 15 Irish beers that’ll tantalise your tastebuds
• 13 tasty St. Patrick’s Day drinks to whip up at home

6. St. Patrick’s Day foods

Although there are plenty of traditional Irish foods that are widely eaten in households across Ireland, others are often saved (or avoided…) until special dates throughout the year.

Dishes like stews and cabbage and bacon can be found on many tables throughout the year. However, certain traditional foods are often brought out as a way of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.

Boxty and coddle are two of the most popular, however, I recall us being served mash potatoes with coins wrapped up in tinfoil hidden in the potato as a kid!

7. By doing very un-St.Patrick’s-Day-related-activities

St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday and, as we mentioned earlier, there’s no pressure to do anything if you don’t want to. 

In fact, many people, myself included, tend to dodge the sizeable crowds that travel to Ireland in March.

Personally (I live in Dublin) I’ll head to either the Wicklow or Dublin mountains or head off on one of the many day trips from Dublin.

If I am coaxed to head into the city, I’ll try and head to one of the pubs in Dublin with live music. 

Related read: Here’s what it’s like in Temple Bar on St. Patrick’s Day.

8. St. Patrick’s Day masses

Many people attend masses on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.

1000 years ago, simple religious services were all that took place on March 17th when St. Patrick was held in great reverence. 

These days, St. Patrick’s Day prayers are very common and it’s a good way of perhaps avoiding all the pomp and finding the spiritual side of the country’s national day. 

In fact, you could even double up by attending mass in the morning then joining the parade straight afterwards!

Now you know how St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Ireland, it’s time for…

Now you’ve a clear answer to ‘Is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated in Ireland?’, it’s time for some related reads:

• 73 Funny St. Patrick’s Day Jokes
• The Best Irish Songs And The Best Irish Films Of All Time
• Notable St. Patrick’s Day Traditions
• 17 St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails
• How To Say Happy St. Patrick’s Day In Irish
• 5 St. Patrick’s Day Prayers
• 17 Fact’s About St. Patrick’ Day
• 33 Facts About Ireland
• St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin