St. Patrick’s Day, commemorated internationally on March 17th, began in Ireland as a religious celebration. These days it is more widely known as a celebration of all things Irish including our culture, traditions and an excuse to enjoy a few drinks together while listening to some traditional music! If you’re planning to spend St Patrick’s Day in Dublin, you are in for a treat.
What started as a small parade in Dublin has grown to be a five day festival extravaganza with parades, music events, street fairs and so much more. As with all celebrations, with popularity comes inflation and it can be a very expensive time of the year to visit Dublin. Here are our top tips for enjoying St. Patrick’s Day without breaking the bank.
Getting Here
First, you need to plan how you will arrive to Dublin. If you’re travelling from outside of Ireland, flights will be expensive, there is no way around it unfortunately. We recommend extending your trip to Ireland, so you are not travelling the weekend before or after 17th to get the best value.
There are so many gorgeous parts of Ireland to see, it would be a pity to spend all of your time in the big smoke. If you’re travelling within Ireland, you should book your train or bus tickets in advance as you can be sure all public transport will be busy. For drivers, it is recommended you park outside of the city and commute in and out to the festivities. Aspect Hotel Park West offers free parking for our patrons and we are well connected by public transport.
Where to Go
Once your transport and accommodation in Dublin are sorted, it’s time to get excited about our world-famous festival. Every year for five days, the city lights up green, white and orange. There are traditional music events, Irish dancing displays, craft fairs, late night shows, theatre productions, art displays, a street fair and so much more. The excitement reaches its peak at the huge St Patrick’s Day parade on the 17th which follows a specific theme each year.
Dancers, performers, bands and floats pass through the city in a spectacle of creativity, colour and excitement! Best of all, most of the events in the city over this busy time are free for all to enjoy. Keep an eye on the official website for the festival as some events you will need tickets for.
Where to Drink
It’s customary to raise a glass of the black stuff on 17th to St Paddy (not St. Paddy for our American guests!). The price of alcohol doesn’t increase when pubs get busier, but Dublin City is always an expensive place to enjoy a few pints. For a couple of quiet drinks away from the madness of the day, or to set you up for a great evening, Rueben’s Bar & Restaurant in Aspect Hotel Park West is a great place to fuel up. Our impressive food and drinks menus will make sure you have a solid foundation to your Patrick’s Day celebrations. If you’d like to find a few cheap drinks in the city, head to a pub off the main drag and away from the busy Temple Bar area. If you’re lucky you’ll find one with live music until late. Don’t be afraid to engage your bar neighbours in some friendly chat, Irish people love to talk!
Where to Stay
Central Dublin hotels are expensive on a normal day so you can imagine how much their rates go up at the most popular time of the year. Don’t pay over the odds this St Patrick’s Day. One of the city’s top-rate hotels is the Aspect Hotel Park West, located on the edge of Dublin, ideal for avoiding traffic, crowds and overpriced parking fees.
For your ideal accommodation in the city over the St. Patrick’s Festival or any other time of the year, check out their awesome Dublin hotels, affordable inns and serviced apartments! There are many different types of accommodation to choose from. You can be comfortable and convenient while enjoying your time in Dublin.
Author Bio: Author Bio: Katie Corcoran is a resident writer for Aspect Hotel Park West Dublin, a modern hotel, providing outstanding accommodation and dining experiences for leisure breaks, family vacations and corporate travelers across Dublin.
