Learn how to spend a quintessentially Irish holiday in the country’s capital while you're already studying abroad in Europe—or if you're a fellow frugal traveler booking a trip to Dublin on a college budget!
This guide covers where to stay for the holiday that's worth your cash, how to seize the day the Irish way, and where to AVOID at all costs!
Get ready to eat, drink, and be merry as you enjoy the craic of Paddy’s Day in Dublin!
Traveling to Dublin for St. Patrick's Day is an unforgettable study abroad experience, but soaring seasonal prices and belligerent crowds can make the trip more of a hassle than it's worth.
It's essential to plan ahead so you can seize the day during your Paddy's experience, and with the help of this comprehensive guide you'll be fully prepared to make the most of the green festivities.
Don't make the same mistakes I did during my Dublin holiday trip!
The heart of St. Patrick's Day festivities in Dublin. Navigating the crowded city streets is an absolute nightmare during the holiday--especially with many of the many routes closed for the National St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
To avoid a frustrating commute, be sure to book accommodations in Temple Bar so you can reach every spot on your itinerary by foot!
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Assuming you want to be in the heart of the action, Temple Bar is the place to be during St. Patrick's Day in Dublin.
This is also one of those rare occasions where spending more on a convenient location—even with the holiday season surge pricing in mind—could save you more in the long run.
By staying within walking distance of all the main attractions, you won't have to spend any additional funds on transportation!
This is THE most convenient hotel you could stay in around Temple Bar during St. Patrick's Day in Dublin, and even with the inflated nightly holiday rates in mind I would say it's money well spent.
In addition to intersecting with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade route, Darkey Kelly's pub is directly connected to this accommodation.
That fact may not mean anything to you initially, but it's actually a priceless addition to your experience.
Unlike any other bar in town, when you grab a Paddy's pint at Darkey Kelley's you can leave at ANY point in time to use the private bathroom in your room. Again, that may not seem like a big deal right now, but when you're eventually waiting in gigantic lines of drunken tourists trying to even get into a bar—let alone used the trashed bathroom—you'll be so thankful to have a private recluse just upstairs.
And that, my dear Watson, is priceless.
This hostel is a short walk to Temple Bar and all the major Dublin sights.
A few days before the holiday I was able to snag a bed here for only $42.17.
But be warned, this is truly a no frills hostel—you sleep in a room full of twin bunk beds with blackout curtains circled around the frames, and have to use the public bathroom stalls shared amongst the whole floor.
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🇮🇪 What to Do During St. Patrick's Day in Dublin
🍻 Start Your Day at the Guinness Storehouse
Kick off your St. Patrick’s Day festivities with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse, which is open as early as 9:30 AM. This stoutie experience makes for a perfect start to your Irish celebration!
Home of the “world’s most popular stout,” this experience allows you to get up close and personal with the sights, sounds, tastes, and aromas of Guinness. You can even walk over the original 9,000-year lease signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759!
To order a pint with your face printed on the foam in real time, tour the Guinness Storehouse and make sure to purchase the premium experience with a “stoutie” included for only €8 more!
Make sure to schedule your tour for no later than 10:00 AM to ensure you’re back in time for the 12:00 PM parade!
Fueling up for the day (a must before day-drinking!) while you’re at the Guinness Storehouse is ideal, since the rest of the city will be incredibly crowded and the food was actually quite delicious!
The seven floors include multiple cafes and bars, where you can even dig into oysters infused with Guinness!
Plus, your entry ticket includes a complimentary pint, which you can savor in the Gravity Bar while enjoying stunning panoramic views overlooking the city. You’ll feel the energy of Dublin below with a breathtaking 360° view as you observe the celebration preparation from above.
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The best part about touring the storehouse is getting to drink a special St. Patrick's Day pint. I don't even like beer, but I was willing to down this stout for the plot—and because my face was printed on it!
🥁 Watch the St. Patrick's Day Parade
No visit to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day would be complete without attending the National St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This annual event attracts half a million spectators, showcasing a vibrant display of music and pageantry.
The parade features over 4,000 performers, making its way through the historic streets of Dublin. It begins at 12:00 PM and runs through the city center, concluding at Kevin St. Lower. While standing along the route provides good views, if you prefer to sit, consider purchasing grandstand seats in advance.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated, which isn't too difficult since vendors sell refreshments along the parade route. I enjoyed the festivities from Lord Edward Street, conveniently located near my lodging at the Harding Hotel!
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🍺 Pub Hop for the Rest of the Day
After watching the parade, the next most Irish thing you can do is spend the day pub-hopping! There’ll be a buzz in the air and you’ll hear trad music coming from the many pubs dotting the streets.
Given the holiday, most pubs will be busier than usual with long queues to order drinks at the bar—but that’s to be expected during any kind of national celebration.
One of the best pubs in Dublin for traditional Irish music!
On Paddy’s Day we were graced with live music emerging from a quartet playing a banjo, guitar, accordion, and flute!
Even though our room in the Harding Hotel was connected to this establishment, the walls were sufficiently soundproofed and we never heard any boisterous pub noises from our bedroom.
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🚫 But, AVOID Temple Bar Pub
While it may have dawned on you that the best way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day would be to go for a pint at arguably Dublin’s most famous pub, it turns out everyone else has the same idea. Temple Bar Pub on St. Patrick’s Day is the definition of pure chaos—drunken crowds packed tightly within walled streets means you won’t be able to reach the bathroom or bar anyways.
On this non-ticketed day anyone can show up and add to the madness, which usually peaks at dangerous levels after the parade ends as party goers look for their next activity.
Eventually the Gardai, or Irish police, will seal off the area to prevent more people from coming in.
This is precisely when I arrived at Temple Bar, and even exiting the area took a fair bit of time while weaving through droves of drunken people.
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With these tips in mind, you're ready to embrace the spirit of St. Patrick's Day in Dublin! Whether you’re enjoying a stout at the Guinness Storehouse, watching the national parade, or dancing the night away at a local pub, you're sure to have an unforgettable time. Sláinte!
For more advice on how to navigate this Irish holiday in the heart of the country, check out this article from my travel blog!
📍Type-A travel maximalist based in Los Angeles, California for 5+ years
✅ Who I'm For: Seize the day travelers with a taste for adventure—you don't mind waking up to catch a 6 AM train if a one-of-a-kind tour waits on the other side! You look to get the best bang for your buck but aren't afraid to splurge if the experience is worth it. Building a balanced itinerary is important to you so you can fully take in the local scene, including the top art, history, nature, architecture, shopping, regional delicacies, and cultural excursions—all packed into one itinerary!
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