Ireland is all set to experience a unique festival this March. Called Holi, the festival of colours, it is widely celebrated among the Indian community in Dublin, and elsewhere across the Emerald Isle.
Falling on a full-moon day of the last month of the Hindu lunar calendar that occurs sometime between late February and the middle of March, Holi is a Hindu spring festival. It is marked with festive celebrations – people joyously playing with colours, dousing each other playfully with coloured water from water pistols, and there’s of course music and delicious food.
You spend a day with friends and family, often cajoling friends out of their homes, greeting them with chants of ‘Holi Hai‘ (It’s Holi today), and then proceeding to play with them with colours or put a small tilak on their heads, followed with ‘Bura na mano, Holi hai’ (Take no offence today, please. After all, it’s Holi!).
A number of ticketed events are taking place in Ireland should anyone wish to avail of this unique opportunity to experience a truly colourful and fun festival. Most events provide stalls selling a variety of Indian food and snacks if lunch isn’t included in the ticket price itself.
Supriya Singh, founder of Indian Ladies in Ireland Group says, “Our event got sold out in a matter of days. It goes on to show that Holi is very eagerly awaited and a much loved celebration among the Indian community. But all our events are open to people of all religions and nationalities, and Holi is such a fun festival that people want to take part, no matter if they haven’t been to India or have never experienced something like this before. It truly brings people together in a very beautiful and joyous manner.“
Indian Ladies in Ireland Holi Celebrations is at Raheny on March 5, however this event is currently sold out.
VHCCI Holi: Festival Of Colours at Adamstown Youth and Community Centre on Saturday, March 11
Basanta Utsav 2023: At Tyrrelstown House, Dublin 14, March 12
Gujarati Samaj (GSI) Holi Celebrations at Confey GAA Function Hall, Leixlip, Co. Kildare on March 11
KASSI Holi at Geraldines GAA Club Dundalk on March 5
It’s important to note that the festival is open to people of all nationalities, and everyone is welcome at these events. Many restaurants are also coming up with Holi special menus. Take for example, Doolally, located at the Lennox Building, 47-51 Richmond Street South, Dublin 2.
From March 6th – 9th, Doolally will celebrate Holi with a series of culinary specials created by Executive Head Chef Shloke Chhabra, as well as plenty of colour with venue décor, a brand new cocktail menu, and some special surprises.
Speaking about the festival, Executive Chef Shloke Chhabra says: “Holi is such a fun time to year to celebrate the new season, throw colour, and of course share great food. This year, my team and I have created some really special dishes that pay homage to this annual festival and that I hope will bring a taste of home to many.”
All festival specials are available exclusively between Monday March 6th and Thursday 9th March for dine in and takeaway / delivery. Bookings for the Holi Festival at Doolally can be made at doolally.ie or on (01) 533 7562.