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.