St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin

On the seventeenth of March, there’s one standout city you would envision celebrating St Patrick’s Day and that’s Dublin. A sea of green on the Emerald Isle in its big smoke. It’s a worldwide event, celebrated by millions – whether Irish or not.

The positives - a great atmosphere, so many different nationalities partaking in the parade and the amount of colour wherever you looked was cheerful and uplifting, especially overlooking streets washed with an ever present green that was worn with pride.

The St. Patrick’s Day ‘weekend’ (due to the day it fell on), was a bubbly atmosphere throughout thanks to the gathering of different nationals and the backdrop of Dublin's cobblestone streets and lively pubs. While an Irish tradition, it felt very much like a welcome international affair.

Yet, for a celebrated national day that gathered over half a million people, with most spectators being from overseas, is the parade the only thing on offer on St. Patrick's Day? Why weren’t there entertainers positioned around Grafton Street, Wicklow Street and the general main shopping district area, singing traditional Irish songs and demonstrating Irish dances? There should have been a host of activities seeped in Irish traditions to enhance the experience rather than the amusement rides that were offered. Activities suitable for children to mark the occasion, especially for the kids who were seeking entertainment after only being able to see kneecaps in their efforts to catch a glimpse of the parade. Is day drinking the only option available to adults during and after the parade on St. Patrick's Day in Dublin?

Rather than stay for the duration of the parade to admire the back of green hats, an exploration of Dublin’s vibrant side streets might prove more appealing. While there were no activities taking place within the streets or anything of noteworthy interest to see, plenty of outlets did make an effort to create a St. Patrick's Day ambiance, including Fallon and Byrne's little touches in their coffee corner and just being within the buzz was more enjoyable than squeezing together like a pack of sardines to watch the parade itself.

After experiencing the parade and St. Patrick's Day in Dublin this year, I can say I've done it once but I wouldn't be so keen on experiencing it again. Funnily enough, I feel I would find more of an occasion on the day elsewhere overseas rather than Ireland's capital city. The Wild at Heart Fox float symbolised a message that 'things could always be better' and I agree and I think Dublin's celebration of its national day could be so much more than what it is.

What would I recommend to anyone intent on coming to Ireland for next year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade? Enjoy the lead up to the parade in the days prior to St. Patrick’s Day. You're in Ireland for St. Patrick's Day to watch the parade. That's something to be able to say and its a worthwhile experience. In the three day build up, there were several fun activities available throughout Dublin, including street shows, festivals and treasure hunts and there was an uplifting buzz apparent throughout the populated areas such as Temple Bar, Grafton Street and around St. Stephen’s Green. So enjoy the build up, experience the atmosphere but watch the parade on TV.

However, if you’re bringing children insistent on seeing the parade, get to the designated route at LEAST two hours before the parade is scheduled to start or position yourself towards the end of the earmarked march. A longer wait but less populated and a better vantage point. Otherwise the kids, or anyone not particularly tall, won’t see anything unless you're bringing a stepladder. Either get there early or prepare to get creative like this gentleman did below.

Chocolate and Champagne at Brown Thomas' Tasting Experience

An indulgent tasting activity took place on Dublin’s Grafton Street today within the third floor of Ireland’s premium lifestyle store, Brown Thomas, to kick start St. Patrick’s Day weekend and showcase delicious Mother’s Day gift ideas.

Godiva, the renowned supreme chocolate brand, spearheaded a range of available tastings as in-store chocolatier expert, Geraldine Liston, showed watching chocoholics first-hand how Godiva make their mouth-watering chocolate covered strawberries.

The delectable treats continued with bite sized samplings of exquisite handmade Holdsworth Chocolates, which is a product made from only the finest of ingredients and Chez Emily scrumptious Irish Belgian Chocolates, a relatively new chocolate brand now available in Brown Thomas.

A complimentary glass of Bollinger’s Special Cuvée Champagne complemented the scrumptious indulgent experience at Brown Thomas.

Anyone searching in Dublin’s upscale department store for a last minute gift inspiration will have a chance to see and buy a Godiva chocolate covered strawberry as another demonstration will take place on the 15^th of March from 11am – 3pm.

Dublin's Best Kept Secret - Accents Coffee and Tea Lounge

 
Shared secrets tend to be whispered but Dublin has a well-kept secret that needs to be shouted. Located only two minutes from Dublin’s St Stephens Green on Stephen Street Lower is the bubbly café, Accents Coffee & Tea Lounge.

I don't know about you but good coffee has become a daily requirement for my ability to function and immerse within the rest of civilisation. I’m always on the lookout for somewhere that will spark the creative juices and Accents Coffee & Tea Lounge fits such a requirement. 

A glass façade offers plenty of natural light and leather couches and bookshelves create a comfortable setting but the real secret is hidden from view. At the back of the room is a staircase leading underground. A few steps down and a peek around the staircase’s corner will reveal to you the Accents Lounge. From your perch, you can survey your chances of acquiring a seat which includes an assortment of bean bags, director chairs and leather couches. There’s plenty of space within the underground nook, however it is recommended you check first before you place an order.

I appreciate the thumbs up, good sir! - Accents Lounge

Not only is Accents Coffee & Tea Lounge an ideal venue to nurse a coffee or tea while mulling with shared minds the meaning of life and other such coffee related topics, but part of the décor includes signs encouraging those tired of stuffy office meetings to take their discussions to the Accents Lounge. There are plenty of spots that would be ideal for such a meeting but I would recommend you book such an area in advance…unless you don’t mind shouting from one side of the lounge to the other.

Appropriately named Accents, the buzzing café attracts visitors from across the globe. There’s a fitted map covering a wall littered with pins planted by globetrotters so any explorers of Ireland, ask for a pin and remember to make your mark.

Make your mark

Accents Coffee & Tea Lounge contains a ‘real’ element and a European essence and is a throwback to London’s café scene (which I so dreadfully miss) for me. The coffee is smooth, the service is friendly and the venue is quirky and relaxed and it is a highly recommended visit for any fellow caffeine addicts.