The national St. Patrick’s Festival is returning to the street’s of Dublin this year with organisers promising that it will be bigger and better than ever.
This year Dublin is preparing for a weekend of activities that will draw in many tourists.
Of course, we can’t forget about the St. Patrick’s Day parade that sees thousands of people lining the streets of Dublin.
All over Ireland, there will be many people out for each local parade! But the main event will take place in the capital city and here’s what we can expect.
This year’s theme
The theme of this year’s spectacular global celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage is ‘ONE’, as the Festival issues an open invite to people from all over the world to come to Dublin, Ireland to share, to connect, to participate and to celebrate together as one.
The main event
This year Dublin will celebrate the national St. Patrick’s Day parade on Friday 17th March. While there will be parades across the country, Dublin will produce the national one. There will be many different acts taking to the streets of Dublin, working with many different community groups.
Some of these groups include Junk Kouture, Dublin Pride and many different performing groups. People of all ages will be taking part in the parade this year, meaning there is something for everyone in the audience. With over 4,000 participants this year is really going to be the biggest one yet.
If you want the best seat in the house there are still some tickets for the Parade Grandstand and Hospitality packages.
Festival Quarter
After a successful debut last year, Festival quarter is making a return to the National Museum of Ireland. This year in Collins Barracks will be transformed into a day-to-night urban festival for all.
The grounds of one of Ireland’s most spectacular and historic heritage sites in the heart of Dublin will feature Spiegeltent Mór and Spiegeltent Beag, a 3,000-capacity outdoor Main Stage, Story Yurt, performance spaces, relaxation areas, a mini-funfair including Ferris Wheel and the Irish Food and Craft Village.
Each daytime event will be free of charge, along with a full day and night programme.
Most activities will take place from 12pm to 6pm during the day. Later in the evening festival quarter will turn into over 18s. With live music performances from many different music groups festival quarter will light up Dublin.
Many have welcomed the festival over the past few years, and this year will bring everyone back together anywhere in the world!
Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media commented: “It is said that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and we welcome that inclusion warmly. It is a day to celebrate our heritage and our history and we invite the world to join in the 2023 celebrations.
For more information you can head over to the festival’s website.
Words by Katlyn Murray