Where to Find St. Patrick’s Day Festivals Across Ireland
Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day – and if you're lucky enough to be in Ireland in the days leading up to March 17 you're spoiled for choice on where to celebrate!
Bitesize History of St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick, one of Ireland's patron saints**, has been celebrated with a feast day on March 17 since 1631.
This date wasn't chosen at random. Though St. Patrick is said to have died on March 17, 461 CE (though there is also argument for 493CE) this date is also quite close to the spring equinox, an event celebrated by the ancient Celts as a ‘time of perfect balance', when day and night are of equal length.
As a Catholic holiday, St. Patrick's Day was celebrated with religious observances including mass and pilgrimages to sites associated with the saint.
It's said that the first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in St. Augustine, Florida in 1601. The first parade in Ireland didn't occur until 1903 in County Waterford.
St. Patrick's Day Festivals in Ireland
Across Ireland you'll find festivals celebrating St. Patrick, each culminating with a grand parade!
Armagh & Down – Home of St. Patrick Festival
The area St. Patrick called home celebrates the saint for an entire week. You can take part in walking tours, concerts, cultural workshops, and greet the dawn of St. Patrick's Day at the ancient fort of Emain Macha.
This 3-day festival claims to be the largest celebration of Irish Culture & Heritage in the world. Enjoy a parade, exhibitions and events including walking tours and a ceili.
Pro tip: book a grandstand spot for the parade for the best views.
Waterford St. Patrick's Day Festival
Waterford city hosts a 4-day festival that includes The Booley House traditional Irish variety show, 30 musical acts, river cruises, Celtic knot workshops, and fairground amusements.
St. Patrick's Festival Kilkenny
With over 120 events planned during this 4-day event you're definitely spoiled for choice! Join a ‘pop up' Gaeltacht, enjoy a wide variety of stage performances, and listen to live trad music throughout the city.
Cork city's 4-day festival includes plenty of fun for all ages including a ‘snake hunt in the fort', a night market, harbour cruises, and plenty of music.
St. Patrick's Day Festival Killarney
Killarney's 4-day event includes their famous ‘duck dash', plenty of music, and loads of craic.
Limerick St. Patrick's Festival
This 3-day festival proclaims it's ‘a more fun Limerick'. The day before ‘the big show', Limerick hosts the 53rd Annual International Band Championship. You can also enjoy a weekend Art & Craft Popup, Ireland's Biggest Antiques & Vintage Fair, and plenty of live entertainment.
Sligo's 3-day festival includes live music at Queen Maeve Square, as well as sessions along the Trad Trail.
Derry – St. Patrick's Day Spring Carnival
Festivities in Derry begin March 17 in the early afternoon with street performers and live music, leading up to the parade.
St. Patrick's Celebrations in Belfast
Celebrate St. Patrick for a week in Belfast! Events include a music festival, celebrations at St. George's Market, a Trad Trail, and Gaeilge (Irish language) events.
Ireland's Patron Saints**
Ireland has 3 patron saints. Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid, and Saint Colmcille (Columba).
The feast of St. Brigid takes place the first of February, coinciding with Imbolc, one of the for major Celtic fire festivals.
St. Colmcille's feast day is celebrated on June 9, which is also designated as Celtic Art Day as both the Book of Kells and Book of Durrow are associated with the saint.
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