Given the upcoming holiday, I've decided to share my experience of being in Dublin on St Patrick's Day. Hopefully, if you plan to travel to Ireland someday (which you probably should as it is a fun and interesting place) this can help you decide whether to go on St. Patrick's Day or not.
I will say this from the outset, the idea of being in Ireland on St. Patrick's day is the most fun part about being in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day. The fact that I can say I was in pub in Dublin, watching Rugby on St Patrick's Day is more fun than the actual experience.
There was a big parade through town, but I didn't really understand it. Maybe it's because I don't understand the cultural significance of the day, but I found it weird that there wasn't any green or anything I could detect as particularly Irish.
Although, I have recently read that St. Patrick has long been associated with blue, not green. So, now all that blue makes more sense, but to the uninitiated outsider it was strange.
It was also strange to see a marching band from a Texas community college march, but who am I to judge?
It was also weird to notice that a lot of Irish people had left to go on vacation or, perhaps, were celebrating quietly in their homes and churches instead of joining the drunken mess outside. The streets were filled with tourists. Everyone around me at all times was American, English, or German.
Mostly, the night wasn't that special. I went to the same bars and pubs I had gone to throughout the week except now they filled to maximum capacity. Every place was hot and crowded, making it uncomfortable and difficult to get a drink.
Still, I managed to get drunk and have a great time. And at the end of the day I get to say that I was in Ireland for St. Patrick's Day.
So it's up to you, do you want to go to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day?
Comments (14)
ireland sounds like a ball of fun.
I'm Irish and even though I have never been there myself, my family from there has assured me that over there, St Patrick's Day is not a big deal at all. Most don't celebrate it, it's an American thing.
I love St. Patty's
I would love to go to Ireland...but not for the St. Patricks weekend. Shoot...that's what Savannah, GA is for. :o)
I wouldn't want to go there on St. Patrick's Day because I know they're not as interested in our silly American traditions. o.O
yeah-- as spidergrass said--In Ireland, St Patrick's is a Saint's day, not a green beer everyone's Irish woohoo day. lol Our friends there have told us it's only recently that there have been more 'americanized' celebrations, but for the most part, it's still a pretty quiet-ish day. No one chucks green dye into the Liffey, and no one pinches you if you're not wearing green. =p I definitely want to go--even if I didn't have some Irish blood I'd still want to--but not specifically for St Patrick's day.
Nope, and it's the same reason why you didn't have as much fun there as you thought - it's mostly only tourists.
I would love to go to Ireland, but not on St. Patrick's Day.
I would, but only because St. Patrick's Day is also my birthday, and what could be better than spending your birthday in your favorite place on earth?
hoping to go to ireland this summer.
Nope not really. Ireland doesn't interest me that much. Of course, if I was invited then I'd love to go.
@d0llh0use@xanga - Give me a break. It's far more significant and important than Valentine's Day, and FAR less commercial. "Lower than Valentine's Day"...thanks for belittling the culture.
@deirdre223@xanga - it's my birthday too! happy almost birthday :)
nope xP