Free events planned for St. Patricks day

One of last year's St. Patricks Day Parade performances

The St. Patrick’s Festival runs from March 16^th  to March 20^th this year and the city will be alive with activity over the five days. We take a look at the many free events that will be happening in the city. The festival website

www.stpatricksfestival.ie carries additional information about all the events listed below, as well as many more.

 

St. Patrick’s Festival Céilí 

Wednesday 16^th  March

Where: St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2

Time:  4.30pm – 7.30pm

St. Stephens Green becomes one big céilí on St Patrick’s Eve. Don’t worry if you don’t know a thing about dancing, you won’t be alone by any means…

Band & Street Performances

Wednesday 16^th – Thursday 17^th March

Time: Various

Dublin is always a great city for street performers and buskers. During the festival however, there will be plenty more music and theatre taking place on the streets. The festival website will be updating regularly on what’s happening.

HOW IRELAND FINDS ITS VOICE: The future of our words and music

Wednesday 16^th March

Where: O’Callaghan Alexander Hotel, Merrion Square

Time: 6.30pm

Tickets:  Apply for free tickets by emailing info@thedubliner.ie (max four tickets pp)

Ireland’s literary tradition, and its future, gets examined and debated. An event that combines our love of both the written word and arguing with each other.

 

Gannon Cup University Boat Race

Thursday 17^th March

Where: Starts at O’Connell Bridge

Time: 9am

Before heading to the parade itself, try and catch the 60^th annual boat race between UCD and Trinity. Starting in the heart of the city and finishing up at St James Gate, there should be plenty of spots where you can stake a good view.

  

St. Patrick’s Festival Parade

Thursday 17^th March

Where: Starting at Parnell Square

Time: 12pm
The main event. This year’s parade will be based on ‘Brilliant’, a specially written short story by Roddy Doyle. The story is available to download from the festival website and is well worth reading before the big day.

 

Literary Treasure Hunt 

Saturday 19^th March

Where: City Hall, Dame Street

Registration 10am – 1pm. Finish Time: 5pm

Pre-register on festival website.

Learn a bit more about Dublin’s literary history while (hopefully) winning some prizes and goodies along the way. A great event for any families, or any group of people for that matter. 

 

St. Patrick’s Festival Big Day Out

Sunday 20^th March

Where: Merrion Square.

Time: 12pm – 6pm

Bringing together the best of Irish street art in one location. The square will be filled with workshops, games, storytellers and performers all afternoon.

 

Trad Trails

A series of ‘Trad Flash Mobs’ as people come together for one-hour trad gigs on the streets of Dublin. Events will be announced through twitter, facebook and the festival website. The thought that tourists could come away thinking we spontaneously burst into song and dance numbers, makes this worth attending if you can.