Saint Patrick's Day (Lá Fhéile Pádraig) is a religious holiday celebrated throughout the world on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick (c. AD 387–461), the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland. It originated as a Catholic holiday and has been an official feast day since the early 17th century.
Over the years the colour green and its association with Saint Patrick's day has grown, green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century. He is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become an ever-present feature of the day.
In 1903, Saint Patrick's Day became an official public holiday in Ireland and the first Saint Patrick's Day parade held in the Irish Free State was held in Dublin in. Although secular celebrations now exist, the holiday remains a religious observance in Ireland, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland.
The first Saint Patrick's Festival was held on 17 March 1996. In 1997, it became a three-day event, and by 2000 it was a four-day event. By 2006, the festival was five days long; more than 675,000 people attended the 2009 parade. Overall 2009's five-day festival saw close to 1 million visitors, who took part in festivities that included concerts, outdoor theatre performances, and fireworks.
So, what does the St Patrick’s Day Festival have in store for us in 2011? Running from Wednesday the 16th to Sunday the 20th of March they have a vast array of events for young and old!
There’ll be Funfairs in Merrion Square, Wolfe Tone Park and Custom House Quay to light up the city with top-notch carnival attractions, from carousels to roller coasters, family attractions to ferris wheels!
Date: Wednesday 16th of March - Sunday 20th of March
Time: Wednesday 18:00 - 23:00, Thurs - Sun 11:00 - 23:00
Where: Wolfe Tone Park
Date: Wednesday 16th of March - Sunday 20th of March
Time: Wednesday 17:00 - 20:00, Thurs - Sun 11:00 - 20:00
Where: Custom House Quay
Date: Thursday 17th of March
Time: 10:00 - 20:00
There will be Comedy Nights on Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th in the Laughter Lounge on Eden Quay. For St Patrick’s weekend The Laughter Lounge have 3 top class Irish comics; Paul Tylak, Ian Coppinger and Joe Rooney ‘Father Damo’ from Father Ted. ‘Text in the City’ - The audience begins the night by texting in suggestions to the comedians on stage who have a huge mobile phone screen behind them – and then it is up to the comedians to make these text messages as funny as possible!
Dates: Friday 18th and Saturday 19th March
Time: Doors 7pm. Show 8.30pm
Tickets: €25 available
We Irish love the Craic so needless to say there’ll be a Céilí or two around the city (so be sure to bring your dancing shoes!!)
In the Stephen’s Green expert callers will lead you through dances such as the Siege of Ennis, the Walls of Limerick and lots more. The Céilí is open to all - young and old, beginners and self proclaimed pro’s. Watch, learn and dance; you’ll be doing jigs and reels in no time!!
Date: Wed, 16th March
Where: St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
Time: 4:30 pm
Date: Wed, 16th & Thurs, 17th March
Where: National Concert Hall
Time: 8:00 pm
The St. Patrick’s Parade will open the festival with a dazzling display from street theatre troupes, artists, dancers and marching bands. Thousands of onlookers will line the parade route as many millions more can tune in to the RTE 1 broadcast on TV and live streaming on-line.
Date: Thu, 17 Mar
Where: City Centre, starting at Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Time: 12:00pm
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