In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is the biggest party of the year with events taking place across the country making it an exciting time to visit the island.
March 17th is the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death in the fifth century, a date that the Irish have observed as a religious holiday for over 100 years. Falling during the Christian season of Lent, families traditionally visit church in the morning and celebrate in the evening as bans against meat are put aside so the Irish can dance, drink and feast freely. Now the celebration associated with St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated across the world with other notable events happening in New York and Boston.
The best place however to experience St. Patrick’s day is, of course, in the homeland of Ireland.
Dublin hosts the sensational National St. Patrick’s Day Parade as part of its annual fest which this year lands on Friday the 17th March. The festival aims to bring together the community with pageants, marching bands and entertainment, both traditional and contemporary, throughout the day. Events will be held at Festival Quarter which is situated at the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks.
Further North, in the town of Armagh, the Home of St. Patrick’s Festival takes place to reflect the legacy of the saint. Armagh City is the place where Patrick started his mission with one of the festival highlights being the Vigil Walk where attendees travel between two St. Patrick’s Cathedrals. Armagh is the only city in the world with two cathedrals that share the same name. Most festival activities happen at events across the city with an exciting schedule of music, theatre, film, art and dance. The unmissable St. Patrick’s Eve Family Fun event offers a concert of the area’s best musicians and singers in an outdoor event in Shambles Yard.
These are just a few of the most iconic St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Ireland but you won’t struggle to find somewhere to celebrate in Ireland. This nationwide celebration will be celebrated in every pub in the country with the major cities having a wealth of musical talent to sample on your visit.
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