The excitement for the St. Patrick’s Festival can be felt all over Ireland. Two years has been a long time without the sound of drums and the clatter of dancing shoes. Parades will be happening all over the country, from small villages, medium towns and in big cities.
St. Patrick’s Festival Quarter – What’s On
This is the first year of the St. Patrick’s Festival where an area of Dublin city has become an entertainment quarter. Collins Barracks will be the venue for the Festival Quarter with events from Wednesday to Sunday 16 – 20 March inclusive. The former army barracks on the west side of the city, now houses the Museum of Decorative Art and History.
Over the course of five days, visitors will have an opportunity to listen to music and talks, watch theatre, dance, and circus, eat, speak a bit of Irish, enjoy comedy and have fun. Many of the events are free and paid for events are from €10 – €20.
There will be some interesting venues at the Festival Quarter, with the Spiegel Tent Mhór, the Spiegel Tent Beag, and a big main stage. Tickets can be bought online and some performers, such as Damien Dempsey are donating part of the ticket price to charity. His charity is the Coolmine Therapeutic Community.
On St. Patrick’s Day get your dancing shoes on for the Céilí Mhór with Dearbhla Lennon and the Shandrum Céilí Band at 3pm. At 7pm It will be Jiggy, the Bonny men with the Shandrum Céilí Band.
Big name artists appearing at the festival include Damien Demsey, Lyra, Soulé, Le Boom and the Glasshouse Orchestra. Just announce this week is Thumper, the six-piece Dublin line-up with two drummers and four guitarists.
Savage craic is guaranteed at the “Snakey” Paradise cabaret of comedy circus and music with the funniest weirdos and queerdos around.
For those who blood runs green over St. Patrick’s Festival and cannot be with us in Ireland, you can tune in to SPF TV on Youtube.com. The virtual television station will broadcast during the festival offering access to Irish-themed programmes and films. The programmes on SPF TV will be accessible until 26 March, see details here.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade will be broadcast on RTE One and RTE Player.
The full details can be found here and a printable schedule is here.