Who will you be this St. Patrick’s Weekend? A beer guzzling, welly-wearing, top-of-the-mornin’ saying Irish stereotype? A novelty hat donning reveller? A ‘I’m not wearing any shamrocks or anything green’ kind of spoilsport? Or, you know, your own usual darling self?
It doesn’t matter, putting all personas and opinions of the festival of our patron saint aside, it’s everyone’s favourite kind of weekend – a long one, hurray! – and there’s load’s of stuff to do around the country.
There are four fun-filled days to cover so let’s dive straight in shall we?
Friday, March 14th
What? Festival: Kilkenny TradFest 2014
Where: Various locations, Kilkenny City
Paddy's Weekend wouldn't be Paddy's Weekend without a heap of trad and this year, Kilkenny has it in spades. The Kilkenny TradFest runs for the entire long weekend with legendary trad musicians Kila kicking it off with a free gig on the Parade. Sharon Shannon will be there and so will Dervish and loads and loads more fabulous musicians, workshops and craic.
What? Gig: The Root Down Sessions
Where? The Sugar Club, Dublin
What time? 9pm
How much? €5
The Sugar Club say that roots music is alive and well all over Ireland and we believe them because, c'mon, they're the experts. In case you don't want to become saturated with trad too soon, saunter down to The Club on the first day of the weekend for Los Paddy's de las Pampas, Tae Lane, The Rye with Old Time Jamboree and DJs.
What? Gig: I Love My City - Jape at the RHA
Where? Royal Hiberian Academy (RHA), Dublin
What time? 7.30pm
How much? 0
What an opportunity; seeing Jape in the sublime RHA? Quite the unique Paddy's Day celebration. I Love My City is an off-shoot of Dublin's St. Patrick's Festival. The 17 'inspiring, intimate, cultural events and happenings' will all be housed in gorgeous Dublin venues and spaces and they are free BUT booking is essential.
What? Comedy: Fr. Ted Special
Where? Laughter Lounge, Dublin
What time? 8.30pm
How much? €25
Even though Fr. Ted was actually a British production it has become part of the Irish cultural canon and WE LOVE IT! Get your laugh on with Joe Rooney (Fr. Damo) and Pat McDonnell (Fr. Eoin) with Willie White and start your weekend with a smile all over your face.
Saturday, March 15th
What? Festival: Tribute 2 Festival
Where? Dundalk Stadium, Co. Louth
What time? 3pm
How much? €8 - €10
Dundalk Stadium will be rocking out this Saturday with an amazing line-up of Ireland's top tribute bands; Black Sabbath (Supernaut), Led Zeppelin (Zepraphonic), Status Quo (Paper Plane-Status Quo Tribute Band), Nirvana (Negative Creeps), Metallica (Pulpit / Master of Pulpits) and Down (NOLA - Down Tribute).
What? Festival: Ardara International Walking Festival 2014
Where? Donegal
Explore and appreciate the glorious scenery around rugged Donegal with the Ardara Walking Festival. Take short, medium or strenuous walks - whatever you fancy - and celebrate St. Pat in a different sort of way. Those pints at the end of the day will be well deserved.
What? Play: Agnes by David Bolger
Where? Project Arts Centre, Dublin
What time? 8pm
How much? €17 - €20
Opening night - but David Bolger’s latest work, Agnes, runs until March 22nd. This dance work will charm and delight you as Bolger's mentor Agnes - former creative director - is honoured. Her 'wry sense of humor, her love for Ireland and her ground-breaking performance style' are revealed once again on the Project Arts Centre stage.
What? Concert: Home: Celebrating 10 Years of Discovery Gospel Choir
Where? Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin
What time? 8pm
How much? €10- €12
Gospel music is not especially synonomous with St. Patrick's celebrations but who cares, it's cool and this concert is being held in the amazing and iconic Christchurch Cathedral. The acclaimed intercultural choir will be joined by Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu and Norwegian ensemble Drøbak Gospel so it will be a totally different way to celebrate. Great value for money too!
Sunday, March 16th
What? Festival: Big Day Out
Where? Merrion Square, Dublin
What time? 12pm
How much? 0
The St. Patrick's Festival calendar is seriously chock a block FULL of things to do in the city for the long weekend; the Big Day Out is just one of them. On this day only, Merrion Square will come alive with a vibrant street carnival - full of activities and performances that will engage and delight the whole family.
What? Gig: Christy Dignam & Joe Jewell - Some Songs and Stories
Where? The Purty Kitchen, Dun Laoghaire
What time? 10pm
How much? €25
Childhood friends and founding Aslan members Christy Dignam and Joe Jewell unite to play this intimate acoustic show featuring some new and many of Aslan's best known songs plus some classic covers. There'll be good banter with the audience, as the lads explain the background of some of the songs plus stories of 30 plus years in Aslan.
What? Gig: Workman’s Paddy’s Weekender
Where? The Workman’s Club and Garage Bar, Dublin
What time? 3pm
Want to go out and party but can't face the hassle of a pub crawl? The Workman's Paddy's Weekender is your answer! Kicking off at 3pm in the Garage Bar and going on till verrrry late - it's all you want for a craic-filled session in one handy package.
What? Comedy: Andrew Maxwell - Banana Kingdom
Where? Cork Opera House
What time? 8pm
How much? €26
Andrew Maxwell continues his nation-wide tour, bringing it to Cork just in time for Paddy's Day.
Monday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
What? Festival: Dingle International Film Fest
Where? Dingle, Co. Kerry
So, this is the last day of the Dingle Film Fest so hopefully you got this far down the list before saving the Sunday things to do until, well, Sunday. Dingle is known the world over for it's beauty and friendliness and would be an amazing place to spend the weekend even if the Fest wasn't on. The fact that it is on is an added bonus.
What? Gig: St. Patrick’s Day at the Grand Social
Where? The Grand Social, Dublin
What time? 2pm
How much? Free before 6pm, €10/€19/€22.50
A day long party in the Grand Social? Yes, please! On entertainment duties are Moodymann [KDJ – Detroit] Toby Kaar – DJ Set, Kelly-Anne Byrne, Tom Beary, Lee Kelly, 4wrd Grad, Emmet Condon, Colin Perkins, Max St. Croix & guests.
What? Ceili: Céilí Mór
Where? Cyprus Avenue, Cork
What time? 9pm
How much? €1
Sure go on, if ever there was a time to go Irish dancing it might as well be on St. Patrick's Day. It's in Cyprus Avenue and it's only a euro you say? Sounds like a no brainer to us.
Have a fabulous long weekend everybody!