FORTY SHADES OF GREEN
An essential round-up of the best parades and activities for the family this St Patrick’s Day
IT’S been said that there are two types of people in the world; those who are Irish and those who want to be. Yet when it comes to St Patrick’s Day, the entire world finds reason to celebrate everything that is great about being Irish with us. At home, we’re certainly no slouches in the celebration department either. For ideas on how to doff a cap to our patron saint and his national holiday, look no further than our action-packed guide.
DUBLIN
THE biggest and arguably brightest parade of them all, the Dublin shindig (stpatricksdayfestival.com) pulls in visitors from all over the world. In recent years, the shenanigans have been widened out i nto a full-blown cultural festival and there’s something for revellers of every age and cultural persuasion. Take a look-see at the eye-popping gaiety of the parade. With teenage activist Joanne O’Riordan taking up the mantle as the parade’s Grand Marshal, the parade promises to be rather special indeed. Across the city, follow in the footsteps of St Patrick with renowned Dublin walking guide and historian Pat Liddy. Pat has put together a special talk and tour on Dublin’s pre-Viking development and the legacy of his namesake.
Let Pat regale you with stories of Dublin’s fascinating history during visits to Dublin’s ancient sites, including the two great medieval cathedrals — Christ Church and St Patrick’s. The walks run from Thursday to Sunday, at 11am and 2.15pm daily (except St Patrick’s Day when there will only a 2.15pm tour).
Meet outside the converted church on Suffolk St, Dublin. It’s a two-hour tour, €14 per person, including admission to St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Over at he RDS ( Hall 1) in Ballsbridge, the Irish Craft Beer and Whiskey Village promises to provide much merriment.
Now in its fifth year, the village provides beer, cider, whiskey and artisan food on a bounty of stalls; why not try a tasting masterclass for the day that’s in it, too? Tickets cost €10 and runs tomorrow from midday to 11pm.
Dublin is renowned for its theatre tradition, but the new kids on the block promise something a little different this weekend, too. The streets of the city will be transformed into a stage where national and international acts will deliver some fun performances. Keep an eye out for Lords of Strut at the top of Grafton Street (Saturday March 19 at midday, 1.30pm and 5pm) and The Dinner Table, who will provide something a little more interactive at the top of Grafton Street on Saturday March 19 (12.45pm, 2.15pm pm and 3.45pm).
City Hall will play host to the St Patrick’s Day festival treasure hunt (10am on Saturday March 19). While navigating ng the trail in search of treasure, you’ll also get to find out plenty about Dublin’s beautiful historical locations. The event is free and takes about one hour and 40 minutes o complete. Elsewhere, ’60s music legend Donovan will be on hand to entertain as part of his 50 Years Of Music Tour. If you’ve ever been a fan of his many hits (including Mellow Yellow). This is an intimate show not to be missed — 8pm at the National Concert Hall on Saturday, March 19 and tickets are still available from €20.
An Irish breakfast is a Paddy’s Day staple for many a reveller, and over at the Royal Society of Antiquaries on Merrion Square, brekkie will be served up alongside a host of talks on – what else? – the joys of the Irish breakfast. Tickets are €15 and the event runs from midday to 3pm on Saturday March 19.
CORK
IN THE People’s Republic, the parade leans heavily on history with ‘1916: the Legacy’ as its overarching theme. Up to 3,000 participants will not only evoke that momentous year of a century ago, but also notable aspects of Irish life in the 100 years that followed. The four- day festival ( March 1720) will also include circus an and magic workshops for all the family in Bishop Lucey Park, an artisan food and craft fair on Grand Parade and a special commemorative concert, Aiséirí 1916, at Cork City Hall on St Patrick’s Night. Landmark buildings, including City Hall, will be bathed in green light for the duration of the festival. Their official website corkstpatricksfestival.ie, has the lowdown.
GALWAY
THE rich ethnic and cultural diversity of the City of the Tribes in 2016 is front and centre in Galway’s parade. Keep an eye out for participants from farflung parts of the globe, including Russian Cultural Club and Gamelan na Gaillimhe, whose music is infused with traditional Indonesian elements. The country’s most celebrated street theatre group Macnas will be on hand to provide great colour and spectacle in
its hometown. Several venues will host special music performances on the , night but for many the main draw is likely to be a ‘best of Irish comedy’ line-up at the Stock Exchange on Ship Street. See galwaystpatricksparade.com for details.
LIMERICK
THE Treaty City’s St Patrick’s Day Pa-rade usually vies with Cork for the title of Ireland’s biggest outside Dublin, and this year’s especially colourful extrava-ganza will certainly give Cork a run for oney. Coordinated by Limerick and County Council in support of Limerick’s bid to host the European Capital of Culture designation in 2020, the 2016 Limerick St Patrick’s Day de begins from 12pm. The celebra-tions not surprisingly, will be inspired by the centenary of the 1916 Rising. Under the banner ‘Commemorate’, 4000participants from 100 community groups will take part, with the famed Waterford street theatre group, Spraoí, and its Sligo equivalent, the Workhouse Studio, set to produce typically dazzling work. Best of all, Jedward (remember them?) will be on hand to provide entertainment, while actor, director and playwright, Myles Breen is this year’s Grand Marshal. More details can be seen at limerick.ie.
WATERFORD
IRELAND’S oldest city was the first place to declare St Patrick’s Day a national holiday back in 1903 and they've proudly kept up tradition there ever since. The theme this year is ‘Three Sisters 2020: Celebrating Waterford’s Cultural Diversity’ — a title that references the Suir, Nore and Barrow rivers that flow into Waterford Harbour and the city’s aspiration to be European Capital of Culture in four years’ time. Check out The University of Northern Iowa Women’s Chorus, too who will play a special concert at Christchurch Cathedral Waterford on March 16. See facebook.com/WaterfordStPatricksDayParade for info.
KILKENNY
THE streets of medieval Marble City make for a gorgeous backdrop to any celebration, but over the past three years Kilkenny has made St Patrick’s a multiple- day event ( March 16- 20) thanks to its acclaimed TradFest, a celebration of the best of contemporary Irish folk music. Among the headliners this year are Colm Mac An Iomaire, Damien Dempsey, Iarla Ó Lionáird and the ever-popular Hothouse Flowers. Events for all ages are planned, including a ‘trad trail’ and music workshops. See kilkennytradfest.com for ticketing information.
DINGLE
DINGLE’S nod to the national holiday is a band apart from the others: while the rest of the country is asleep, Dingle/ An Daingean wakes early to celebrate our national saint when the Dingle Fife and Drum Band delivers rousing music on a march around the town that begins at 6am. Later, at noon, a parade with plenty to see and do for little ones provides a more traditional way of celebrating March 17. At the Dingle International Film Festival, (March 17-20) screen stars will mix with local film buffs over three days for action-packed film fun. This buzzy boutique film festival, home to the Gregory Peck Award, takes place in The Phoenix Cinema & St. James’ Church — and when the credits roll, there are plenty of traditional music sessions in the local pubs to choose from.
See dinglefilmfestival.com or call 085 214 3153 for more info.
ENNIS
CLARE’S most significant parade is titled ‘Celebrating Our Community’ this year, and participants hailing from the town and its hinterland will showcase the rich artistic, cultural and sporting legacy of the Banner County.
As Ennis will be hosting trad’s greatest festival, Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann this August, much of the festivities around St Patrick’s Day will centre on all that’s unique about Irish music and dance. They’ve also found the country’s oldest Patrick, 97-year-old retired farmer Patrick Wall, to lead their parade, clare.ie has the lowdown.
BRAY
IF THE hulabaloo in the capital proves a bit much, this coastal town is just a short train journey from Dublin and provides a smaller scale celebration.
Yet great things do indeed come in small packages in this case. There are week-long celebrations in Bray from March 16 with such activities as a céilí breakfast, a special Bray Head walk and street theatre from a Covent Garden troupe. Bray’s sea- f ront promenade has long been a magnet for thrill-seekers and this year will be no different thanks to the residency of Bird’s Euroshow Funfair.
KINSALE
THINGS happen somewhat differently in this West Cork food haven — kicking off as they mean to go on, the town’s night parade (March 16 at 7.30pm) will officially start the celebrations. Beautifully-lit boats will sail into Kinsale Harbour, while local choirs entertain the spectators on the Pier Head. This will be a celebration that fuses history, superstition and fun, and will culminate in a spectacular firework display to illuminate the night sky.
WESTMEATH
IF YOU’RE in the Midlands, explore the splendid Belvedere House and Gardens, a fully restored Georgian Villa situated on 160 acres of stunning lake- side near Mullingar. On Saturday March 19, folks can enjoy performances from the Celtic Blondes, the Emerald Lakes Dance Academy, as well as local traditional musicians. For more information see belvedere-house.ie
SKERRIES, DUBLIN
HISTORY buffs can mark the day by making haste to this seaside town and checking out the saint’s footprint, which can still be seen down by the harbour. From there, it’s possible to retrace the footsteps of the man himself on St Patrick’s Island and St Patrick’s Way. According to folklore, St Patrick was accompanied to Ireland by a goat, and the saint’s arrival — goat and all — will be recreated on the big day. More information can be found on facebook.com/visitSkerries.
CLARE
IN KILLALOE and Ballina, you get two celebrations for the price of one as they celebrate Brian Boru too (March 1517). This is the 1,000-year anniversary of the death of Brian Boru at the Battle of Clontarf. As Boru was born in Killaloe, the festival will commemorate their local hero with a parade on March 17. Visit the Brian Boru Exhibition in The Lough House in Killaloe, Co. Clare and explore the narrow streets and old shops in these charming towns overlooking stunning Lough Derg. Details are on feilebrianboru.com.