Real Irish St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations!
St. Patrick’s Day sparkles differently here in Ireland! While Boston parades since 1737 and Chicago turns rivers green, we Irish celebrate our patron saint’s day with cherished traditions passed down through generations.
Our celebrations burst with authentic Irish spirit – from morning mass to evening music sessions! Picture yourself joining traditional church services, tapping your feet to live Irish music, and learning real Irish dances at The Irish Dance Party in Dublin.
Ready to discover how we Irish truly celebrate March 17th? Let our guide show you the magic of genuine Irish traditions that bring families and communities together on this special day!
Amazing Story of St. Patrick’s Day!
Our patron saint’s tale begins not in Ireland but in Roman Britain! Born into a wealthy family – his father a Christian deacon, grandfather a priest – young Patrick admitted he “had no real knowledge of God” in his early years.
Life took a dramatic turn when Irish raiders kidnapped him at sixteen and sold him into slavery in Ireland! Six years as a shepherd changed everything – lonely days led him closer to God. After escaping home, a divine calling brought him back to Ireland as a missionary!
Our saint traveled far and wide across Ireland from 432 AD, converting thousands to Christianity! Rather than fighting old traditions, he cleverly wove them into his teachings. Sure didn’t he use our traditional bonfires to celebrate Easter!
That clever fellow used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish people [9]! Churches and monasteries sprouted up everywhere, with his headquarters in Armagh becoming the heart of Irish Christianity. Patrick left us on March 17th, 461 AD. Here’s a fun fact – though he’s patron saint of Ireland, he was never officially made a saint! No formal process existed back then!
From Holy Day to Holiday!
St. Patrick’s Day started as a pure religious celebration. Irish folk in Europe have celebrated our foremost saint’s feast day since the 9th century! Thanks to Waterford’s own Luke Wadding, it landed on the Church’s calendar in the 1600s.
Families would attend morning mass during Lent, then celebrate afterwards – even allowed to eat meat that day! Everything changed when St. Patrick’s Day became an official public holiday in 1903. Waterford hosted Ireland’s first official parade that very year!
The 1916 Easter Rising brought new meaning to our celebrations. Irish Volunteers marched proudly – 6,000 strong, half carrying arms!
Today’s Fantastic Traditions!
The world’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade? St. Augustine, Florida, 1601, thanks to their Irish vicar! New York’s tradition kicked off in 1762 when homesick Irish soldiers marched through the city. Here’s another surprise – St. Patrick’s color was originally blue! Green only joined the party in the 1700s!
Dublin now hosts a spectacular week-long festival drawing over half a million people! After the parade, join us at The Irish Dance Party in Dublin – where you’ll experience real Irish dancing and music that’ll leave you awe-struck!
Today’s celebrations blend our deep spiritual roots with pure Irish craic – exactly how we love it!
Dublin’s Spectacular St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Half a million people fill Dublin’s streets for our magnificent National Parade! This breathtaking celebration shows the world what Irish culture truly means.
Picture this – 4,000 performers bringing Dublin’s streets alive! Our 2025 theme “Eachtraí” celebrates the adventurous Irish spirit that makes us who we are.
Want the perfect view? Here’s where to stand:
- O’Connell Bridge: See everything from the heart of Dublin
- Parnell Square: Catch performers at their liveliest
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral: Perfect for those parade photos
- College Green: Trinity College makes a grand backdrop
Fancy a seat? Book one of our six covered grandstands! Our entertaining hosts keep you informed about every act. Special viewing areas welcome everyone to join the fun!
The Irish Dance Party – Dublin’s Most Magical Experience!
The Irish Dance Party has captured hearts of locals and visitors alike over a decade. Here’s your chance to become part of our living traditions!
Two hours of pure Irish magic – that’s all you need to experience the real Ireland! Our cozy gathering offers a smaller, more intimate experience than all the other types of shows in Dublin.
Our award-winning dancers will leave you awe-struck with:
- Solo step dances – Spectacular jigs, reels and hornpipes
- Figure dances – Beautiful group formations showing our community spirit
- Céilí dances – Your turn to join the fun with our expert teachers
Marvel at our unique style – upright, relaxed posture, keeping arms and hands by one’s sides throughout the dance. Just like Riverdance, but up close and personal!
The amazing performances blend with dances where you become the star! Rest at your reserved table between dances while our charismatic and talented Irish music and dance entertainers keep the spirit alive. Don’t worry about having two left feet – guests tell us we “made me feel like I had much more rhythm than I actually do!”
St. Patrick’s Day – Our Way!
Sure, the world celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, but here in Ireland, we keep it real! No green beer needed when you’ve got centuries of tradition running through your veins!
Our day starts with prayer and ends with dance – just as it should! From morning mass to hearty family breakfasts, spectacular parades to lively music sessions, every moment carries meaning passed down through generations.
The Irish Dance Party in Dublin shows exactly what we’re about – real people, real traditions, real fun! No plastic shamrocks or green face paint here – just pure Irish spirit bringing everyone together!
That’s why March 17th means so much to us Irish. It’s not just a party – it’s our heritage coming alive! Whether you’re saying morning prayers, cheering at Dublin’s National Parade, or dancing till dawn, you’ll feel the true magic of St. Patrick’s Day – the way we’ve always celebrated it!
Come join us – sure you’ll never experience anything like it!