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THE SCHEDULE FOR this year’s St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin has been announced, with outdoor cinemas, street theatre and a treasure hunt set to join the grand festival parade on Friday 17 March.
According to figures provided by the Festival, the annual event attracted over 105,000 visitors from abroad to Dublin in 2016, who spent an average of 8.8 days in Ireland during their trip.
In 2015, they say tourists spent €73 million in Ireland when they came to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
Running from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 March, here are some of the events happening around the capital for the St Patrick’s Festival:
Thursday 16 March
Dancing shoes at the ready, as Earlsfort Terrace is transformed into a dance hall from 4.30pm to 7.30pm for a Céilí.
A special screening of Jim Sheridan’s acclaimed film In America will be screened at a special open-air showing in the surroundings of Swords Castle from 7.30pm.
Friday 17 March
This is the main event, as the grand parade kicks off from midday at Parnell Square.
The theme for this year’s parade is “Ireland You Are”, with magical faerie stories, ancient mythical tribes and trailblazing pirates all set to feature, alongside bands from America, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Bahamas and, of course, Ireland.
Saturday 18 March
Around 4,000 people are expected for the treasure hunt at City Hall on Dame Street, which kicks off at 10am and lasts till 1pm.
Marching bands and pop-up choirs will take over St Stephen’s Green in the afternoon, while some of Ireland’s most renowned portrait artists will capture the faces of Irish children at the Ark, Eustace Street in Temple Bar from 10.30am.
Another open-air cinema will show the recent hit film Sing Street at Fingal County Council Civic Offices on Grove Road in Blanchardstown from 7.30pm.
Sunday 19 March
Merrion Square is the main venue today, with a street carnival full of theatre, music, arts, crafts and more.
Budding scientists can embrace the Science Zone and epic story lovers can listen to fantasy storytelling at the Festival Big Day Out from midday to 6pm.
The full programme of events can be found here.
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Serious injuries because the state refuses to legalize fireworks but prefers thousands of them to be let off illegally. Same with drugs. Leave it to the underworld to police that too. Dumb and dumber.
@Red Pirate 71: serious injuries because someone brought illegal explosives into the country which were used illegally by untrained individuals. Personal responsibility goes a long way, it’s not the states fault all the time!
@Red Pirate 71: how would legalising fireworks prevent accidents like this?
Next you’ll be blaming the government for the weather.
@Red Pirate 71: How can you blame the government for teenagers being idiots?
@Chin Feeyin: Because the fireworks they could buy then would be regulated and have proper safety standards attached to them. I guarantee what caused this was some shitty black cat banger from the black market.
@Luap: most fireworks are bought in the north
@Red Pirate 71: so you’re blaming the state for the stupid actions of two fellows who are old enough to know better?
@Red Pirate 71:
Personal responsibility.
@Chin Feeyin: Everyone knows the government is to blame for the weather !
@Richie Kennedy: because he is from that part of society himself.
@Luap: that’s pure speculation. Fireworks are dangerous in any kids’ hands. Also dangerous in the hands of untrained adults.
@Red Pirate 71: ‘cos no one in countries where fireworks are legal has ever been injured?
@Red Pirate 71: and dumbest
@Luap: You guarantee it do you?
@Red Pirate 71: this is by far the most idiotic comment ive ever seen… What a dope!!!
@Red Pirate 71: it’s legal in the uk and they never have firework accidents!
@Paul: It is very much the states responsibility to police this, they after all, are the ones who put the legislation in place. Wouldn’t be surprised if you are one of those people who buy fireworks on the black market for Halloween night.
@Paul: If the state prohibits something they create a black market. Black market dealers will sell to children! Were fireworks legal and sold in shops, you would be able to have laws to restrict children from buying them.
Zero sympathy unless they were subjected of an actual accident, on the other hand if they did this to themselves whilst mucking around illegally with illegal fireworks… well, Darwin always wins.
@ros aodha: they are only kids you muppet. Be careful what you write . Family members could be reading this. Fool
Cabra fireworks intimidation of innocent people gangs on bikes lawless living off the state I’m entitled give me everything now and I will promise to be vermin leeching off the state right to the end !
Apparently one lad lost a couple of fingers, the other an eye.
@Liam Ó hAodha: ah well.
So?
Anyone see the video going around with the AC Milan fan(I think) losing a hand thanks to a firework,, gruesome to say the least… :(
@Devilsavocado: ya looks cool
They were setting off fireworks ‘on the southside’ as well yesterday – could only hear them, but one sounded like a lovely sparkely one – only it was in the middle of the afternoon in bright sunshine … what a waste
Well if you play with fire……
Been gangs of these youths setting them off around pearse street since mid august, aiming them at people passing by. Gards dont seem to be doing anything to stop it
I was getting off the Luas at Broadstone yesterday evening when a group of teenagers let off proper fireworks beside the track. They exploded at ground level. I was thinking they could’ve seriously injured someone. One girl walking beside them got such a fright. Wonder if it was the same group they were on the green Luas line to Cabra
The Dumb F**kers were messing with Explosives, shit happens when your that thick.
@Jesse James: Maybe learn how to spell ‘you’re’ before calling people dumb. And get some empathy while you’re at it too.
@Marie McG: play stupid games win stupid prizes
Nobody is doing 5 years for lighting fireworks. What nonsense! You wouldn’t even get 5 years for murder in this country.
It’s a little early for fireworks.
Kids will be kids. Some have to learn the hard way.
Two more candidates for the Darwin Awards :-)
Kids will be kids.
Some have to learn the hard way.
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