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Get to the heart of the party for Saint Patrick’s Day by booking a hotel in Dublin for five days.

Each year there are free celebrations across the city, with a special focus on Merrion Square. The central point of the city hosts a fun fair, puppets and circus acts during this year’s Saint Patrick’s Festival, which runs from March 12th to 17th.

Laughs

The Republic of Ireland has been voting on the funniest up-and-coming comedians this year, to give visitors a taste of true Irish humour during St Patrick’s Festival. Plan a trip to the Laughter Lounge between March 12th and 14th for the Best of the Fest to see the top five comedians perform. The Best of the Fest shows are on for three nights only in Eden Quay in the city centre.

Ceilidh

The can-can kicks, line-dances and straight upper body movements made famous by Riverdance group in the Eurovision song contest in 1994 will be on show at St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin. Sean Keane and The Irish Scattering take on the mantle to close the celebrations at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on March 17th. The musicians and dancers perform some of the best known Irish songs and there are readings from celebrated Irish authors. Admission to the event starts from €18, so book a seat early.

Parade

Five days after the night show in the city centre kicks off the celebrations, the St Patrick’s Festival parade of people in costume, marching bands and floats takes to the streets. Expect thousands of spectators, revelling in Irish stout and the fun-filled atmosphere. The parade has been described as an “unmissable” part of the event, so scope out a good vantage point early, preferably near the pub.

Guinness

Temple Bar area will be packed throughout the festival as punters queue for pints of the black stuff in historic drinking houses and sample Irish food traditionally eaten around St Paddy’s Day: local bacon and cabbage. If this does not appeal there is plenty of dark stout to try, including Guinness, which should come served with the symbol of Ireland – the shamrock – imprinted on top.

Language

Once the Irish were ostracised for their strong accent by foreigners, this year the Gaelic language celebrated around the city as part of the festival with a Gaelspraoi series of songs, dance and performances. Gaelic is more widely spoken in the south of the country and remains a compulsory subject in state-funded schools. Useful phrases for St Patrick’s Festival would be: what’s the craic (what’s up), conas ata tatu (how are you) and pogue mahone (kiss my a**).

Cost

Festival-goers should reserve early and brace themselves for increases in the cost of accommodation. Expect to pay €3 for a coffee, an average of €6.88 for a take-out meal and €1,300 for a luxury two-bedroom apartment for the month on a normal day, according to the Mercer price indicator.

Photo of St. Patrick’s parade in Dublin, Ireland by  infomatique