Dublin for St. Patrick's day

[megataco]

I'm currently researching prices and hotspots in Dublin for a long weekend over St. Patrick's weekend. It's always a been a bucket list item that I'm dying to cross off the list. 
Can anyone recommend any must-do activities, or places to go hit up if we're looking to cram a lot in a short period of time? We'll be there with one other couple and definitely looking for something special on the actual holiday.
Thanks in advance!

[phillyrunner]

I recently went to Dublin for a long weekend with my husband in October. It was so much fun. One thing I did learn from the locals is that in the US we actually have bigger St. Patrick's day celebrations here compared to Ireland! Regardless, I'm sure you will still have a great time!

I loved loved the Dublin Mountain Pub Tour that we did. It is highly rated on tripadvisor. It was one of the highlights of our trip. In Dublin we enjoyed visiting Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol. We went to a bunch of different pubs throughout the Trinity Bar area (is very touristy, but fun). We also took day trips to Howth, Glendalough and the Wicklow mountains which were all absolutely beautiful.

[gtkim]

St Patrick's Day in Dublin is very different from what we do here.  I was there many moons ago, but from what I remember it is a religious holiday first and nothing really starts until early afternoon.  It isn't an all day blowout like we are used to.  There is a cool parade and of course all the great pubs, but it isn't a typical overcommercialized holiday like we have here at home.  For sure it was fun but just want to make sure you know what to expect.

Ditto pps recommendations.  We really enjoyed Trinity College and the old jail a lot.  We spent 2 days in Dublin and then drove around the country.  You could easily do a day trip to Powerscourt and Glendalough.

[mdgirl]

I was there many moons ago, but from what I remember it is a religious holiday first and nothing really starts until early afternoon.

I had always heard this, too. Then an Irish co-worker of mine told me he drank 13 Guinnesses on St. Patrick's Day in Dublin one year to get a free Guinness hat (and did the same thing the next day to get one for his friend).

[Deleted]

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[Deleted]

Ditto Kilmainham Gaol - fascinating part of Irish history and a highlight of our visit in Dublin.

I would do a pub crawl tour - we were there with friends and sort of did our own, but a larger group would be fun too.

We had a nice dinner at Winding Stair, which is across the river from Temple Bar.

Brooks Hotel was great - excellent location, nice rooms, very good breakfast included, and great service.

[megataco]

These are great perspectives, thank you for sharing. I should really make sure the other husband hears this, since we're the two spearheading this. Phillyrunner- that tour sounds awesome, on
M on it. And sbonkers, -that link is perfect!

[phillyrunner]

Nov 20, 2013 21:29:02 GMT -5 megataco said:

These are great perspectives, thank you for sharing. I should really make sure the other husband hears this, since we're the two spearheading this. Phillyrunner- that tour sounds awesome, on
M on it. And sbonkers, -that link is perfect!

The company we did the tour with is called rural pub tours. We did the 5 hour tour, but they also have a 9 hour tour and I wish we would have signed up for that. The 5 hours flew by!

[game blouses]

I marched in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin (marching band in high school) and it was incredible. There were hundreds of thousands of people on the street, the buildings were all decorated with green and orange, and it was so joyous. Make sure you're downtown on McConnell St on the 17th!

[protozoa]

Nov 21, 2013 1:03:23 GMT -5 phillyrunner said:

Nov 20, 2013 21:29:02 GMT -5 megataco said:

These are great perspectives, thank you for sharing. I should really make sure the other husband hears this, since we're the two spearheading this. Phillyrunner- that tour sounds awesome, on
M on it. And sbonkers, -that link is perfect!

The company we did the tour with is called rural pub tours. We did the 5 hour tour, but they also have a 9 hour tour and I wish we would have signed up for that. The 5 hours flew by!

Ditto - we did the 5 hour tour because there weren't enough people that day for the 9 hour one. It was great.

[vampsterdam]

I was in Dublin during St Patrick's day a few years ago. I was told the celebrations were smaller that year because it fell the same week as Easter.

It was still a lot of fun! I live in Chicago which has a HUGE St Patrick's party, (parades, dye the river green, etc) but the one in Ireland was nicer because it didn't feel like a college party.

[BTella]

We went two years ago and had a great time!  We paid for seats for the parade, it was a little pricey but well worth it.  We had bathrooms we could get up and use at anytime, got to sit the whole time and were covered when it started to rain.

in addition to the previous items mentioned we did a musical pub crawl which was great.  I also enjoyed the Jeanie Johnson famine ship.