Ireland is the place to spend St. Patrick’s Day, and the St. Patrick’s Day Festival is next week. The festival is during the week of March 17h in Dublin. The parade begins at Parnell Square, Dublin 1, beginning at 12 p.m. The theme for the 2016 St. Patrick’s Festival Parade is Imagine If. Marching marching bands and pageantry are all a part of this free parade.

Smiling Faces at the St Patricks Festival

Smiling Faces at the St Patricks Festival

 

Having fun at the St. Patrick's Day Parade

Having fun at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

 

City of Change Pageant at the St Patricks Festival

City of Change Pageant at the St Patricks Festival

 

St Patrick Day Festival Violinist

St Patrick Day Festival Violinist

Other activities include a treasure hunt on Saturday, March 19th and a comedy contest at the comedy lounge from March 17 to March 19 at 4 – B Eden Quay, Dublin 1. The fee is €25 and the doors open at 7 p.m. The comedians are courtesy of the Laughter Lounge.  Also various buildings throughout Dublin will have a green appearance.

A very green Trinity University for a previous year's festival.

A very green Trinity University for a previous year’s festival.

Greening  of the Four Courts for St Patricks Festival

Greening of the Four Courts for the St Patrick’s Festival

 

Who was the real St. Patrick? Learn more about the man behind the day here.