Have an event you’d like to publicise? Scroll down to the comments section below and add the details – Paraic

St. Patrick’s Day 2023 is once again shaping up to be an exciting celebration of all things Irish.

Such is the popularity of our national holiday that the celebrations now spill over into the days before and after the 17th March, making it a full scale festival. In fact, with the 17th March falling on a Friday this year most people will probably make a long weekend of it and take the Monday as well!

Here in Ireland, the 17th is a national holiday so we all get the day off.

As always, we’re spoiled for choice this St. Patrick’s Day, so I’ve put together a list of some of my own favourite picks featuring the very best in Irish music, song and dance.

Global St Patrick’s Day Parades

Our iconic national parade takes place in Dublin City Centre on the 17th at 12 midday.

We will welcome floats and marching bands from all over Ireland and a little further afield, with musicians traveling from New York, Florida, Texas, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Scotland and Germany.

There will also be large-scale parades taking place in Ireland’s other major cities including Belfast, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Kilkenny. 

As always, if you can’t attend the parade in person, RTÉ (Ireland’s national broadcaster) has you covered. The Dublin parade will be broadcast on RTÉ1 and can also be viewed online using the RTÉ Player.

Of course, the major global parades are also taking place around the world this year, though some of the dates may vary. But you can get your fill of St. Patrick’s day splendour in the following cities:

UK

  • London, UK – Sunday 12th March

Europe

  • Munich, Germany – Sunday 12th March (Munich is home to one of Europe’s largest Paddy’s Day festivals outside of Ireland)
  • Madrid, Spain – Saturday 18th March (for the very first time!)

North America

  • Chicago, USA – Saturday 11th March
  • San Francisco, USA – Saturday 11th March
  • Houston, Texas, USA – Saturday 11th March
  • Philadelphia, USA – Sunday 12th March
  • Dublin, Ohio, USA – Saturday 11th March
  • New York, USA – Friday 17th March
  • Savannah, Georgia, USA – Friday 17th March
  • Boston, USA – Sunday 19th March
  • Montréal, Canada – Sunday 19th March
  • Toronto, Canada – Sunday 19th March

South America

  • Buenos Aires, Argentina – Friday 17th March

Australia (back with a bang for 2023!)

  • Perth, Australia – Saturday 18th March
  • Sydney, Australia – Sunday 19th March
  • Melbourne, Australia – Saturday 18th March (new for 2023)

Asia

  • Dubai, UAE – Friday 18th March tbc

St. Patrick’s Day Festival Ireland

St Patrick's Day Festival 2023

Dublin

As always there’s plenty of events to choose from at the Dublin St. Patrick’s Festival!

From 12pm on Friday 17 March, St. Patrick’s Festival Quarter will be a hive of events, happenings, music, song and dance for people of all ages as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style. Join us on the Main stage for the hugely popular Céilí Mór, featuring The Shandrum Céili Band plus Féile na Gealaí, Japanese Taiko Drummers, Traditional Irish Dancers, Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, storytelling from Candlelit Tales and the Fingal Mummers, music from Imlé and Llareggub from Wales, supported by the Welsh Government in Ireland and lots more.

Dance The Night Away – Main Stage @ Festival Quarter

If like me, these past few years have left you feeling a little more sluggish than usual, why not blow off the cobwebs with An Céilí Mór?

Kicking off after the parade on Friday 17th March at National Museum, Collins Barracks, this outdoor super céilí will feature music from the mighty Shandrum Céilí Band.

Whether you’ve two left feet, or you could rival Michael Flatley himself, grab your dancing shoes and dance those blues away:

 

St. Patrick's Festival Kilkenny

Kilkenny

More and more cities across the country are expanding their St. Patrick’s Day festivals. What began as a small local parade all those years ago has now evolved into weeklong celebrations.

Held in conjunction with Kilkenny TradFest, it’s no surprise that Kilkenny’s St. Patrick’s festival is shaping up to be a brilliant programme of events.

Kilkenny TradFest 2023

Reel to Reel on the Festival Stage

Reel to Reel was formed in Kilkenny over 30 years ago comprising of some of the original members and some fresh new talent. The band comprises uilleann pipes, bass guitar, piano, bouzouki, drums, double bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, accordion, fiddle and vocals.

Playing a wide array of genres including Irish Traditional tunes, a mixture of ballads and traditional music infused with rock, Reel to Reel has always pushed the boundaries and added the best of national and international Irish Trad.

The event will take place on Friday 17th March 2023 from 4pm on the Festival Stage/

Belfast

In addition to the St. Patrick’s Day parade taking place on Friday 18th March, Belfast has planned an exciting ‘St. Patrick’s Eve’ concert taking place Thursday, 16 Mar 2023 5:00 – 8:00pm

Headlining the event will be award-winning Dublin singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan, who has captivated audiences across the world with her mesmerizing vocals and soulful folk-pop sound.

Also on the bill are Trad supergroup Jiggy, mixing Irish traditional music, world rhythms and cutting-edge dance grooves, and singer-songwriter David Keenan.

Belfast also has an exciting series of Irish music sessions taking place throughout the city during the week. You can check out the listings for the Trad Trail here
 

 

St. Patrick’s Day Festival UK

London St. Patrick’s Day Festival

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in London usually rival our own back home in Ireland and this year is no exception.

The St. Patrick’s Festival will return to Trafalgar Square on Sunday 12th March, with an amazing lineup of Irish performers taking to the main stage from 12pm to 6pm including Sharon Shannon & Band, Celtic Youth Orchestra, Roxanna Nic Liam, and many more – all free!

This year will also see the return of the iconic parade, in its 20th year, beginning at 12pm at Green Park and making its way to the festivities at Trafalgar Square. 

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations at the London Irish Centre

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day itself – Friday 17th March – make your way to the St Patrick’s Day Céilí. No prior céilí experience needed – just don’t overdo it! 

Global St. Patrick’s Day Events*

Green Irish Shamrock

Montserrat, West Indies


The tiny Caribbean volcanic island of Montserrat is the only country besides Ireland where St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday, but not for the reason you might think. This March 17th marks the 252nd anniversary of an unsuccessful slave revolt against the European whites who colonised it in the 17th century. Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by a nine day festival of independence.

This will have a quintessentially Caribbean flair but no doubt there will be drowning of the shamrock aplenty! 

Montserrat St Patrick's Day Festival

*More events will be added as final details are confirmed

 Keep up to Date

We’ll keep updating with events throughout the week as the Saint Patrick’s Day Festival progresses, so make sure to check back in with us to see what other events make our list!

To get session-ready for the big day browse our full range of traditional Irish musical instruments for sale and order now.

Can’t wait for the 17th?? Start the party now with the McNeela Traditional Irish Music Paddy’s Day Playlist:

[Images: Featured Image via St. Patrick’s Day Festival Ireland Official Facebook Page]

 



Share your thoughts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

  1. Celtic Bayou Festival in Lafayette, Louisiana focuses on preserving and celebrating all aspects of Irish, Irish American and other Celtic cultures while instilling an appreciation of this heritage in current and future generations. A family friendly event, the festival will be held in Lafayette with future plans of hosting an Irish Parade. This festival is sure to entertain with performances by traditional Celtic bands from both close to home and around the world. With unique events such as Irish dancing, the Guinness Cook-Off Competition, Whiskey tasting, and a children's area, Celtic Bayou Festival is sure to be a went like that to it pleaser for both young and old… no matter which culture you hail from.

    http://www.celticbayoufestival.com/

  2. Palm Harbor, Florida: The Irish Ramblers from Ireland (Damien is from the Republic, and Paul is from Ulster) all week (from 11MAR through 17MAR2023) at The Lucky Dill Deli Brooklyn Bakery, 33180 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684, 727-789-5574. Reservations accepted!

    I first saw them perform in Ireland almost 20 years ago, and I've gone to their US shows every year since 2013.

    https://luckydilldeli.com/st-paddys-day-events/

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}


Join Our Mailing List

Get all the latest Irish music news right in your inbox!

>