01.03.18
The St Patrick’s Day Festival runs from 15th to 19th March, with the all-important Day itself on Saturday 17th March. In Dublin, the festival has grown each year to become one of the best celebrations of ‘Irishness’ around. Here in The Liberties and Dublin 8 we’re certainly holding our own. So what can you expect:
Guinness In The Liberties Tour
Guinness is synonymous with the Liberties and Dublin 8 since Arthur Guinness famously signed the lease on St. James Gate site in 1759. The Guinness in the Liberties Tour is a mysterious guided tour along the back streets of Dublin 8. Starting at St. Patrick’s Cathedral the tour will move along Thomas Street where you will find world-class street artists re-imagining photographs from the Guinness Archive.Tour times: Friday 16th-Sunday 18th at 1.30pm & 3.30pm. Information and booking at www.stpatricksfestival.ie.
In the Footsteps of St Patrick with Pat Liddy
Did you know that much of the pre-Viking development of Dublin owes its origins to the legacy of St. Patrick? One of Dublin’s best-known tour guides will show you the ancient sites of the city connected to our patron saint, including the area between the two great medieval cathedrals of Dublin, Christ Church and St. Patrick’s. Tour times: 15th, 16th, 18th March 10.30am and 2.15pm, 17th March 2.15pm. More information and booking at www.stpatricksfestival.ie
St Patrick’s Festival ‘Spirit of Dublin’ Craft Fair
The Teeling Distillery at Newmarket is hosting a range of events to celebrate the saint and Irish culture, including its celebrated Spirit of Dublin craft fair from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 18th March. The distillery will be packed with the very best of food, drink and crafts including many from the local area. And there’s more: Teelings week of Irishness includes Barrel of Laughs – a stand-up comedy event on 15th March – as well as special tastings and tours all through the week. Find out more at www.teelingdistillery.com.
Saints and Sinners: Pearse Lyons Distillery
Visit The Liberties’ most iconic new attraction, with its stunning glass sprire lit green for festival week. The distillery and visitor experience is hosting a week-long series of special tours and events around the theme of ‘saints and sinners’, exploring the fascinating tales of its historic graveyard, the story of the Camino, the history of The Liberties and of course, the story behind its whiskeys. More details at www.pearselyonsdistillery.com.
Dublin – A Year in Words: Poetry and Spoken Word Trail
Celebrate the breadth and diversity of the city’s living poets on a curated trail, based on the poet’s own work and the places that inspire them. In collaboration with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and their video series Dublin: A Year in Words, enjoy exceptional performances from an array of emerging and established poets including Natalya O’Flaherty, Phil Lynch, Erin Fornoff, Dagogo Harte, Dairena Ní Chinnéide and Abby Oliveira. Host, the charismatic poetician John Cummins will regale anecdotes along the way! Starting at St Patrick’s Park. Information and booking at www.stpatricksfestival.ie.
The Big Parade – St Patrick’s Day
No St Patrick’s Day would be complete without a parade, and Dublin’s is bigger and better than ever. The parade winds its way through the city centre from Parnell Square to College Green and on to Christ Church Cathedral, ending near St Patrick’s Cathedral. So you’re slap bang in the middle of it all here in The Liberties! The parade starts at 12pm and the theme of this year’s extravaganza is #HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs
Explore St Patrick’s Cathedral
Dublin rather uniquely has two Church of Ireland cathedrals and one provisional or Pro-Cathedral for Catholic services. The Cathedral of St Patrick was founded as a church in the 12th century and later raised to be a collegiate cathedral. The magnificent structure you see today is very much down to a major restoration of the cathedral in the 19th century overseen by Sir Benjamin Guinness. Its a fascinating building, a working place of workship and one of the city’s ‘must-see’ attractions. 17th March would seem the perfect day to explore! More details on events and opening times at www.stpatrickscathedral.ie.
Marsh’s Library, St Patrick’s Close
Located next to St Patrick’s Cathedral is Dublin’s oldest public library – Archbishop Marsh’s Library. Founded by Narcissus Marsh in the early 18th century, this beautiful building houses a rare and fascinating collection of over 25,000 books, manuscripts, maps and other objects. A veritable treasure-trove, the Library is open to all. More details on opening times and events at www.marshlibrary.ie.
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