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Up until 1903, St Patrick’s Day was not considered a national holiday in Ireland until the City Council in Waterford decided to mark the day. Today, Waterford’s St Patrick’s Day is one not to be missed with music, arts and crafts, and many performances taking place all around the city. The city also puts on a huge St. Patrick’s Day festival, playing host to Spring Fest as well as the Limerick International Band Festival. A weekend market features food, crafts and all types of family-friendly activities, while just about every establishment gets in on the action with special events for the holiday. Galway is known for having the best ‘craic’ in Galway, so it’s no surprise that this western city makes it on the list of the best cities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in Galway in 2014 and while the parade was quite small and low-key compared to the photos and videos you see from Dublin, it The city holds a 3-day festival, one of the best St Patrick’s Day events in Ireland, which includes a traditional St Patrick’s Day parade. Although the parade can pale in comparison to the parades in Dublin and Cork, it has a more local feel to it and the after-party experience is often better than touristy Dublin. Places to Spend St. Patrick’s Day: Galway, Ireland. The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Galway is a highlight, with its vibrant floats, marching bands, and community performances adding to the festive buzz. Shop Street and Eyre Square are the hubs of activity, packed with street performers, musicians, and excited crowds enjoying the day. Heading up north, one of the best St Patrick’s Day 2025 events is happening in Derry. The St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival kicks off at 1 pm. Visitors can enjoy an exciting programme of events taking place throughout the day. From live music to captivating street performances and walkabout characters, there’s lots to enjoy. 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 walled city of Derry shows evidence of Ireland‘s past “Troubles.” (Photo by Michael Patrick Shiels) Derry is the only walled city still intact in Ireland and one of the best historic examples of one in Europe – and one which served as a flashpoint during Ireland’s political “Troubles.” Kilkenny's St. Patrick's Day celebration lasts for five days and is filled with activities such as traditional Irish music performances, street food, and a parade that passes through the heart of the city. Waterford. Fun fact: Waterford was the first Irish city to recognise St Patrick's Day as a public holiday! St. Patrick’s Day Parades and Festivals. Various | March, 15th – 17th. Cities, towns and villages across Ireland will be painted green this weekend as St. Patrick’s Day parades and festivals take over the streets. And on St. Patrick’s Day 2025, that pulse will rise like a heartbeat echoing across cobbled streets, bustling city squares, and mossy rural crossroads. From the wild Atlantic shores to the neon pulse of Dublin’s heart, Ireland will roar into colour and story , celebration and soul. If all you want to do is soak up the atmosphere on Paddy’s Day then you could do worse than spending a handful of hours in Temple Bar. St. Patrick’s Day is actually part of St. Patrick’s Week. The parade on the 17th March is the main event but there are things on every day that you should consider attending. There are a lot of cities that have week-long celebrations of the holiday, but spending March 17th in one of Ireland's many festive cities will give you the full Irish St. Patrick's Day treatment. The Emerald Isle is larger than you may think, and locking down Ireland as a destination is just the tip of the iceberg. Home of the very first St Patrick's Day parade back in 1903, the city of Waterford in Ireland's Ancient East celebrates Ireland’s patron saint with a four-day St Patrick’s Festival from March The Oliver Plunkett is the perfect venue to join in the St. Patrick’s Day fun in one of Ireland’s most welcoming cities. Bonus Tips for St. Patrick’s Day Pub-Hopping in Ireland: Arrive early: Popular pubs can fill up quickly on St. Patrick’s Day, so try to get there early to secure a good spot! St Patrick’s Day Festival Galway. Galway plays host to a large parade on March 17 th that runs through the city for over an hour beginning at 11.30 am. This long-running parade (119 years and counting) is the city’s chance to showcase local artists and community groups who put their heart and soul into their contributions. The grass is greenest in Ireland, especially on St. Patrick’s Day! 17th March might not be a big deal in India, but in Ireland, it commemorates a huge celebration of parades, dance, and music, which is a must-visit, especially for beer lovers. Answer 1 of 6: Hi all! Trying to organise a trip for my siblings and cousins to Ireland for St Paddys Day, but want to steer clear of Dublin - where's best for young people (20-25) to celebrate the day? Credit: Facebook / Connemara Walking Festival. One of the best St. Patrick’s Day events happening in Ireland is the Four Seasons Walking Festival in Connemara. Credit: Facebook / Guinness Storehouse. Kicking off on Friday, 14 March, Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse will be hosting an epic five-day festival of music and culture.. If you’re looking to make the most of the St Patrick’s Weekend in Dublin, you can’t miss this epic line-up of events.
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