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I can’t believe that St. Patrick’s Day is almost here. Where did the last few weeks go to? I’ve been busy working on the blog, the Facebook group, and I also have another job outside of this – it’s a marketing business that I run for small businesses, so to say I’m busy is an understatement!

But I digress.

Some of you may be traveling to Ireland in the next few days and if so, I wish you a magical vacation in Ireland. But even if you’re celebrating Ireland’s patron saint from your home country, I’ve got some budget-friendly tips to help you make the most of this special Irish holiday!

The Top St. Patrick's Day Events in Ireland this Year

If you’re lucky enough to be in Ireland right now, here are some must-visit celebrations.

• Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Festival (March 15-17): Enjoy the grand parade, live music, and cultural events throughout the city. The big parade on the 17th will begin at 12 p.m. There are still tickets available along the parade route, including at O’Connell Bridge View, and at the Emerald Circle Grandstand at O'Connell Street, as well as tickets for the Patrick Street Hospitality Package - Grandstand ticket and lunch. Even if you don’t make it to the parade, there are lots of events going on across the city for the weekend, with several of them free to attend.
• Galway’s Family-Friendly Festivities: Galway is a lively city and this weekend (March 15-17), it will livelier than ever. The March 17^th parade starts at 11:30 a.m. and will last for about an hour. The theme for this year’s parade is sea and stone, with close to 3,000 people taking part in a colorful spectacle. The aim of this year’s celebration is to highlight the city’s diverse culture and people through an inclusive slate of events. Be sure to pop into the many pubs in Galway for a special St. Patrick’s Day trad music session. Check out the weekend’s action-packed activities here.
• Waterford City: Waterford celebrates Ireland’s patron saint by putting on a weekend of fun-filled activities around a “Saints & Scholars” theme that also aims to celebrate Waterford’s unique heritage. You can find all the details of the weekend events, from today, March 14^th through the 17^th on the city’s festival website. Some of the fun things planned include Viking cruises, folklore readings, live music and more.
• Armagh City: This is considered the epicenter of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations considering that Saint Patrick founded his first church there. Today, Saul Church is situated on the site of Patrick’s earliest place of Christian worship in Ireland. Built in 432 A.D., the original church was wooden. Today’s structure has been rebuilt several times and is now a popular tourist attraction. Find the complete list of events in Armagh leading up the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17^th on the festival website. While in Armagh, a visit to the city’s two iconic cathedrals named in honor of St. Patrick is a must.
• Athlone: Sean’s Bar is a popular tourist attraction in this Midlands town. Athlone is pulling out all the stops with its own St. Patrick’s Day weekend of festivities, including lots of music, street theater and puppetry, and of course a vibrant parade on March 17^th at 12:30 p.m.
• Derry’s Unique Celtic Celebrations: Live music, street performances, with walkabout characters wandering the streets, not to mention the food that will be available from local vendors, is just part of the fun in Derry this year. The city is known for putting on a big show (its Halloween celebrations are among the best on the island of Ireland). The St. Patrick's Day festivities, including its parade, will take place between 1 and 6 p.m.
• Belfast: Rivaling Dublin, Belfast, the largest city in Northern Ireland, will celebrate Saint Patrick with a 3-day St. Patrick’s Day Music Festival that includes live concerts (traditional Irish music performances and more), workshops, St. Patrick’s Day walks, and a grand celebration of Irish music at the Cathedral Gardens on March 17^th from 2-5 p.m.

Budget-Friendly Travel Tips for Your Dublin Visit

• Best Free Parade Viewing Spots: Stake out spots early near O’Connell Street in Dublin or Eyre Square in Galway for great views.
• Transport Savings: Use Dublin’s public transportation system to get around if you are staying outside of the city. Otherwise, the city is walkable as are all the other cities mentioned above.
• Avoid restaurants that typically hike up their prices around this time. There are local food markets like the Moore Street Market as well as the popular Temple Bar Market. Looking for a quality Irish cheese toastie? Drop into Loose Canon, the small wine and cheese shop in the George’s Street Arcade. Feeling like some Irish soda bread or a scone with your coffee or tea? Try the affordable Salt Cellar Café on Mount Street.

Celebrate from Home

Can’t make it to Ireland? No worries! Here’s how you can still enjoy the festivities:

• Live Streams of Irish Parades & Concerts – Watch the Dublin parade from anywhere in the world.
• Cook Traditional Irish Recipes on a Budget – Try making a hearty Irish stew or homemade soda bread. Follow this Dublin native on social media for delicious Irish bread, cake and other sweat treat recipes.

Hidden Gems - County Mayo

If you’re in Ireland and want a break from the crowds, check out one of the newer articles on the Ireland on a Budget blog. It’s all about some cool activities that you can do in North Mayo, an under-touristed area in Ireland. You'll find all the details here.

No matter where you are, we hope you have an amazing St. Patrick’s Day! Let me know how you’re celebrating by tagging my Instagram account, @IrelandOnABudget.

As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at colette@irelandonabudget.com.

Happy traveling,

Colette ☘️🇮🇪💚