There’s no need to upend your wallet for good craic this weekend; Ireland is abuzz with free events to celebrate the St Patrick’s festival. The festival will see a slew of events across Ireland, kicking-off on Friday and running through Monday, March 19th. Dublin’s festival has grown so large it now takes 18 months to plan the four-day celebration of Irish culture. Here is a list of some of the free events taking place next weekend.
DUBLIN
Fun Fairs
Merrion Square West, 11am-11pm;
Wolfe Tone Park, 11am-8pm;
Custom House Quay, 10am-10pm
St Patrick’s Festival Parade
City Centre, beginning at Parnell Square, noon-2pm.
The parade will continue down O’Connell Street from Parnell Square, travel over O’Connell Bridge to Westmoreland Street. It will then makes its way down Dame Street and Lord Edward Street, past Christchurch Cathedral, and along Patrick Street.
Band and Street Performances
Bands, at Coppinger Row, South King Street, Dame Court; Street performances on Grafton Street and South King Street, 3:30-6pm
Trad Stage
Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, 5-6:30pm
LIMERICK
St Patrick’s Day Parade
O’Connell Ave to Island Road, noon
Irish Myths and Legends, Music, Arts and Crafts
Hunt Museum, 2-5pm
St Patrick’s Festival Club
Takes place at the Limerick Strand Hotel, 7pm
Family fun, buskers and music
The Milk Market, 11am-4pm
Trad Trail
See limerick.iefor details
GALWAY CITY
St Patrick’s Day Parade
Starting at Lower Dominick Street, the parade route will travel over O’Briens Bridge, up Shop Street, on to Eyre Square and finish in front of the Galway County Council Buildings, 11:30 am
International Print Exhibition
Take place at Galway City Hall, 9am-4pm
Sunday, March 18th
Latin Quarter St Patrick’s Weekend Trad Trail
Tigh Chóilí, Taaffes Bar, Spanish Arch Hotel, Kellys Bar, The Quays Bar, The Kings Head
International Print Exhibition
Galway City Hall, 9am-4pm
CORK CITY
St Patrick’s Day Parade
Starting South Mall, at Parnell Place, up Grand Parade and St Patrick’s Street and end at Merchant’s Quay, 1-2:30pm
Barry’s Tea Market
Grand Parade and Boardwalk South Mall, 10am-6pm
Living Social Music Stage
Featuring Comhaltas, Meascáin and Death by Chocolate, Grand Parade and Boardwalk South Mall, 10am-6pm
The Lee Sessions
The Oliver Plunkett, Oliver Plunkett Street, 2pm to close; Coughlan’s, Douglas Street, 5-7pm; The Rock Bar, Gillabbey Street, 7-9pm
BELFAST
Carnival Parade
Starting at Belfast City Hall, continuing down Chichester Street, up Victoria Street, and ending at Custom House Square, noon-1pm
Music Stage
Featuring Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Sophie Habibis, Pure Blarney, The Royal Tara School of Irish Dance, Bright Lights, Shake, and Ashelin, Custom House Square, 1-3pm