Saint Patrick’s Week in Dublin

Suggestion For The Day:

• Visit the National Museum of Ireland and the National Gallery of Ireland to dive into Irish art and history.
• Have lunch in the Dublin 2 district. In the afternoon, tour Kilmainham Gaol to learn about Ireland’s revolutionary history.
• Dinner in Kilmainham or nearby.

Curiosity: Dublin’s River Liffey is lit up in green as part of the Global Greening initiative, a worldwide event where famous landmarks and natural sites are illuminated in green to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. This initiative started in 2010 and has grown to include iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, the Empire State Building, and the Great Wall of China. The green lighting symbolizes Ireland’s connection to the world and showcases global unity in honoring Irish culture and heritage.

• Today is the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, which starts at 12:00 PM. 
• It’s one of the largest parades in the world, attracting visitors from all over, with colorful floats, musicians, and dancers parading through Dublin’s streets. It’s a true highlight of the year, bringing locals and tourists together to celebrate Irish culture.

Curiosity: The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade began in 1931 and has since grown into one of the largest parades in the world, attracting over 500,000 spectators each year. The event typically includes performances by Irish marching bands, elaborate costumes, and representations of Irish folklore and history. The parade route stretches from Parnell Square to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, offering plenty of opportunities to experience the vibrant spectacle.

Suggestion For The Day:

• Spend the morning at Phoenix Park, exploring its vast grounds, Dublin Zoo, or Áras an Uachtaráin. 
• Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park. In the afternoon, visit Croke Park for a stadium tour.
• End your day with dinner in the Northside district or a cozy pub.

Curiosity: Today, Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated with parades and green beer, but for most of the 20th century, it was a strictly religious holiday in Ireland. During this time, pubs were closed on March 17 in observance of the day. In 1970, the holiday became a national celebration, and bars were once again allowed to serve alcohol, marking the beginning of the festive traditions we know today.

Suggestion For The Day:

• Explore the Dublinia museum to learn about Viking and medieval Dublin.
• Afterward, have lunch in the Christchurch area. 
• Visit The Temple Bar Food Market for local products and snacks.
• In the afternoon, tour the Jameson Distillery for a whiskey tasting.
• Enjoy dinner in The Docklands area.