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St Patrick’s Day festivals in Ireland
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St Patrick's Festival, Dublin © St Patrick's Festival Dublin
St Patrick’s Festival Dublin
The St Patrick’s Festival returns to the streets of Dublin city centre in spectacular fashion to celebrate Ireland’s arts, culture and heritage.
This year, the theme is Adventures and the city will transform into a playground filled with enchanting street theatre, dazzling circus acts, neurodivergent-friendly performances, the ever-popular Céilí Mór and, of course, the world-famous St Patrick’s Day parade.
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Home of St Patrick Festival, Armagh © Liam McArdle
Home of St Patrick Festival
Where better to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint than the very place he called home? Armagh and Down are where Patrick founded his first churches way back in the 5th century.
And it’s here that the Home of St Patrick Festival takes place, with a lively showcase of the best culture, music, song and dance from Northern Ireland. Highlights this year include the early morning Dawn Light event at Navan Centre and Fort and St Patrick’s Shindig – an open-air concert in the city centre.
Celebrations around Ireland
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Cork
The “Rebel City” puts on a vibrant show with a parade, live trad and folk music at the Céilí Mór, walking tours, storytelling events and a celebration of the city’s fascinating history.
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Derry~Londonderry
The historic Walled City celebrates St Patrick with a programme that includes a colourful Spring Carnival parade, street performers and music and dance events around the city.
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Killarney
Killarney is abuzz leading up to St Patrick’s Day, and visitors from around the world get to enjoy the festivities including an inclusive music festival, a rubber duck race and of course, the big parade.
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Waterford
Home of the very first St Patrick's Day parade back in 1903, this ancient Viking city celebrates Ireland’s patron saint with a four-day St Patrick’s Festival featuring everything from a parade to river cruises, whiskey tastings and music events.
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Kilkenny
The medieval city of Kilkenny comes alive during the four-day St Patrick’s Festival, which takes place alongside the Kilkenny Tradfest music festival. Expect everything from a spectacular parade to traditional music and dancing workshops.
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Enniskillen
County Fermanagh’s island town celebrates St Patrick’s Day with a unique blend of land and water-based activities including a traditional parade featuring vintage vehicles, community groups and lots of music and dancing.
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Belfast
There are over seven days of St Patrick’s activities happening in Belfast, including a music festival, Irish language events, a trad trail and the big one... the parade on March 17 which features dance groups, musicians and more.
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Limerick
The city's St Patrick’s celebrations feature a parade, spectacular concerts, street performers and the Limerick International Band Championship with bands from Ireland, Europe and America performing on 16th March – don’t miss it!
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Sligo
Ceoil and craic (music and fun) are on the menu at Sligo’s St Patrick’s Festival as the town tells the world what’s great about this Wild Atlantic Way wonder. Expect a traditional Irish music trail, historic walks, a parade and incredible performances at Queen Maeve Square.